APPLE DISEASES - 95 
stored in small containers, the fruits are cooled more easily than 
in larger ones. Ina barrel, for example, those fruits in the center 
remain warm for several days after being placed in cold storage. 
Thus if wounds of any sort are present on the apples, the fungus 
gets a good start. Moreover, if apples are allowed to stand in 
a shed or railroad car for several hours, they become warm ; 
likewise those picked in warm weather and allowed to remain 
in the orchard will also become warm, so that the temperature 
in the center of the barrel is reduced but slowly in storage. If 
the temperature in the center of the barrel is 75° to 80° Fahr. 
when stored, it will require about one week for the temperature 
of the air in that part of the barrel to be reduced to a point 
equal to that of the cold storage room. It has been found that 
apples held at 32° Fahr. for two months showed soft-rot on re- 
moval. Ata higher temperature, of course, the fungus develops 
even more rapidly and the destruction is greater. At an average 
temperature of 47° Fahr., ranging from 35° to 56° Fahr., the 
fruits may be three-fourths rotted in five weeks; at an average. 
temperature of 60°, ranging from 48° to 69° Fahr., the whole 
of each attacked fruit is involved within three weeks. It is 
important to note that fruit carelessly handled before being 
stored is likely to become affected with soft-rot, even if stored at 
the freezing point for sixty days. Where the storage tempera- 
. ture is higher than 32° Fahr. and the duration of storage longer 
than two months, heavy losses from decay may be expected. 
The question of applying sulfur fumes to stored fruit for the _ 
destruction of Penicillium spores has been studied. The ~ 
conidia can be destroyed by using sulfur at the rate of one ounce 
to each twenty-five cubic feet of space, but when the fumes come 
in contact with ripe apples their commercial value is greatly 
lessened. The sulfur dioxid passes through the lenticels, 
bleaching the fruit. 
Spraying has no direct effect on soft-rot ; but the practice is 
indirectly valuable in the prevention of scab and the elimination 
