CONTROL OF DRIED-FRUIT INSECTS IN CALIFORNIA. 15 



SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS. 



The foregoing observations and experiments have brought out the 

 following points : 



A considerable financial loss due to the infestation of dried fruit by 

 insects is experienced by packers, wholesale men, and retail dealers. 



There are several species of insects which attack dried fruits on 

 the Pacific coast, but of these the most common and destructive are 

 the Indian-meal moth and the dried-fruit beetle. 



Infestation takes place in the packing house, in the warehouse, and 

 in the grocery store. The insects find their way to the fruit through 

 small cracks in the boxes and between the folds of the paper. 



All insect life is destroyed in fruits that are put through the boiling 

 dip, and the processing of other fruits can be accomplished by the 

 addition of the belt heater to sterilize all fruit so treated. 



The use of an insect-free packing room and sterilized cartons or con- 

 tainers which are sealed before being placed in the warehouses or cars 

 will protect the fruit from infestation unless the package is broken. 



There are several cartons and methods of sealing that can be ap- 

 plied to dried fruit, but their cost will determine then practicability. 



The secret of preparing an insect-free package of dried fruit is to 

 sterilize it at a temperature of 180° F. and protect it from future 

 infestation by the use of the insect-free packing room and sealing in 

 sterile cartons or packages. 



The sealed carton not only protects the fruit from infestation, but 

 it prevents it from drying out and preserves it for long periods in the 

 moist and attractive condition in which it was packed. 



Moist fruit can be successfully packed in sealed cartons, provided 

 attention is paid to the moisture content. The fruit must be care- 

 fully drained and must not be packed too hot. 



Machines have been invented which will successfully wrap and seal 

 small packages of dried fruit at a moderate cost per thousand. 



It is probable that the time is coming when it will be as necessary 

 to put up dried fruit in sealed packages as it is to pack cereals in 

 that form to-day. 



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