STATION BULLETIN 347 



FRUIT 



CHAIN INDEP. 



ML 



more waste than that from another. 

 Independent markets varied all the 

 way from one which handled fruit 

 with very little waste to one where 

 the amount of waste was one-third 

 of the total volume of the fruit. It 

 is very evident, therefore, that there 

 must be a difference in handling 

 methods between various grocers, 

 and probably a similar difference in 

 their ideas as to what constitutes 

 fruit worthy of sale. In general, 

 apples sold by independent groceries 

 and markets showed less injury and 

 a smaller percentage of waste on the 

 average than did those sold by chain 

 stores, but the average percentage 

 of waste in fruit stores was the 

 highest in the list (Fig. 4). 

 In Stores of Different Cities 



Considerable variation existed in the condition of Mcintosh 

 sampled in different cities. The average per cent of waste found in 

 samples from eight cities ranged from 4 to 17 per cent, and the per 

 cent of bruised surface from 6 to 13 per cent. Defects per 100 fruits 

 ranged as follows: punctures 52-130; small bruises 372-804; and large 

 bruises 102-203. This indicates that consumers are able to buy much 

 better apples in some cities than in others. 



As Influenced by Distance Hauled 



In order to determine the extent of variation in condition of 

 apples from nearby sources and those from more distant points, 

 samples were grouped according to the distance they were hauled to 

 market (Table 3). Although one might assume that fruit brought in 

 locally would be in better condition, it was evident that fruit hauled 

 the lesser distance, while being somewhat less bruised, showed a 



Fig. 4. Per cent Waste Shown 

 in Apple Samples Purchased in 

 Various Types of Stores 



greater amount of waste. 



"his seemed to indicate that lower grade 



fruit and fruit in poorer condition was sold nearby, while higher qua- 

 lity fruit was delivered to more distant markets. 



A comparison of the condition of fruit from common and cold 

 storage is shown in Table 4. The fruit from common storage was in 



Table 2. Growers' Apples Compared to Apples Purchased by Consumers 



Number of 

 samples 



13 



Per 100 fruits 



Cuts and Small Large 

 punctures bruises bruises 



Per cent 



surface 



bruised 



From storages - 10 good 



commercial growers 

 The same growers' apples 



from stores 45 



Per cent increase from handling 



31.5 



81.1 

 157.0 



240.0 33.8 



46S.S 126.1 

 94.0 273.0 



2.98 



7.56 

 154.00 



Per cent 

 waste 



2.26 



6.88 



204.00 



