6 BULLETIN 35, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



something more than the mere size of the sawdust particles was re- 

 sponsible for the difference. It has not been possible as yet to ascer- 

 tain the exact nature of this property. 



VARIETIES TESTED. 



The cold-storage experiments of the Bureau included tests of all 

 the leading varieties of table grapes, some of which are grown com- 

 mercially in California. These included Muscat, Malaga (PL IV), 

 Flame Tokay, Thompson Seedless (Sultanina), Ferrara, Emperor 

 (PL V), Verdal, Black Prince, Corniehon, Huasco, Bowood, Pizzu- 

 tella, Perruno, Chasselas de Fontainebleau, Zabalkanski, Almeria 

 (Ohanez, PL VI), and a number of other varieties not yet widely 

 distributed. 



Table IV shows the length of time during which the principal 

 varieties were held in sound condition in cold storage. The figures 

 show the number of days that elapsed from the time the fruit was 

 placed in storage until deterioration of 5 per cent and 15 per cent 

 occurred. These percentages were adopted after observations of the 

 comparative marketability of fruit in different stages of deteriora- 

 tion. With less than 5 per cent of deterioration the grapes may be 

 considered commercially sound. Between 5 and 10 per cent of de- 

 terioration is quite perceptible and affects the market value of the 

 fruit. More than 10 per cent of deterioration is serious and subjects 

 the fruit to a discount, while 15 per cent is about the commercial 

 limit. Fruit showing more than this percentage of deterioration is 

 practically worthless. In this table the figures for " deterioration " 

 include both decay and berries shelled from the stems. 



Table IV. — Results of the California grape-storage experiments during the 

 seasons of 1906 to 1911, inclusive, showing the minimum and maximum nu in- 

 ter of days the principal varieties were held at 32° F. before 5 per cent and* 

 15 per cent of deterioration appeared. 



Varieties. 



Almeria (Ohanez) 



Corniehon 



Emperor 



Ferrara 



Malaga 



Muscat 



Pizzutella 



Flame Tokay 



Verdal 



Method of packing and percentage of deterioration. 



Redwood sawdust. 



5 per cent. 



Days. 



70 to 155 



50 to 85 



80 to 120 



2 140 



50 to 80 



»8to 75 



<30to 65 



s 45 to 60 



<55 



15 per cent. 



Days. 



150 to 285 



70 to 150 



95 to ISO 



160 



105 to 120 

 24 to 110 

 70 to 110 

 80 to 120 

 95 to 130 



Granulated cork. 1 



5 per cent. 



Days. 



90 to 120 



75 to 80 



65 to 80 



80 



5 to 60 



5 to 60 



20 to 55 



35 to 50 



60 



15 percent. 



Days. 

 120 to 175 

 100 to 140 

 90 to 105 

 90 to 95 

 20 to 115 

 15 to 110 

 55 to 90 

 60 to 100 

 90 to 110 



Commercial crates 

 without a filler. 1 



5 per cent. 



Days. 



55 to 70 



20 



35 



35 



MO 



5 to 30 



10 to 30 



45 



5 



15 per cent. 



Days. 

 80 to 110 

 45 to 60 



60 

 45 to 60 

 35 to 85 

 20 to 65 

 30 to 50 



60 

 15 to 25 



» Seasons of 1906 to 1909. 

 J One season only, 1909. 



No cork filler or commercial crates were used after 1909. 



a Seasons of 1906 to 1910. < Seasons of 1906 to 1909. & Seasons of 1906 to 1911. 



