STORAGE OP CALIFORNIA TABLE GRAPES. 31 



strations were sufficiently successful to warrant a continuation of 

 the efforts to market the fruit in this way on a scale large enough 

 to establish the sawdust pack as a commercial practice. Great credit 

 it due. the growers and shippers who made possible the first commer- 

 cial demonstrations, for without their cooperation the work would 

 have lacked that most important final test necessary to make it of 

 direct value to the table-grape industry of California. 



The following principles summarize the recommendations of the 

 Bureau of Plant Industry with regard to the storage of California 

 table grapes: 



(1) Only fruit of the best quality, which can be marketed at com- 

 paratively high prices, should be handled in this way. 



(2) Those varieties of grapes which have open bunches are most 

 suitable for packing in redwood sawdust. 



(3) The drum barrel has been found to be the most satisfactory 

 package for grapes packed in redwood sawdust. 



(4) The redwood sawdust should be pure and unmixed with other 

 woods and the particles should be of the size illustrated in Plate III, 

 figures 1 and 2. Enough filling material should be used to prevent 

 settling. 



(5) The fruit should be cooled overnight in the vineyard or pre- 

 cooled before the packages are loaded into the cars. 



(6) The fruit should be very carefully handled, the berries should 

 be free from blemishes, and all imperfections should be removed. 



(7) There should be a uniform quantity and quality of fruit in 

 each package. The fruit should be culled before it is conveyed to the 

 packers and should be graded for color and size of bunches. 



(8) It should be shipped under refrigeration and placed in cold 

 storage at 32° F. immediately upon reaching its destination. 



(9) When these conditions have been observed, Emperor grapes 

 may be held in cold storage until about January 10, the Malaga 

 variety until December 15, and the Muscat until November 15. When 

 Almeria grapes can be grown successfully for commercial purposes 

 they may Ibe held in cold storage until about April 1. 



o 



WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1913 



