11 
nature originates in the atmosphere and settles upon fruit, where 
it spreads and soon sets up decomposition. Where only pure air 
reaches the fruit the process of decomposition is arrested for a 
long time. By Dr. Perkins’ apparatus pure cold air is kept in 
constant circulation through the car, and any impurity is forced 
out through a small vent or valve in the roof. With but little 
loss of power to the engine this process is kept up during the 
entire journey. 
“The new method of shipping fruit will, without doubt, drive 
the cold storage and refrigerator car system out of the field, as 
the new system is less expensive in many ways. In the first 
place, the special car that Dr. Perkins had constructed weighs 
only 23,000 lbs. The usual refrigerator car weighs 47,000 lbs. 
Thus, Dr. Perkins can place 12 tons of fruit in his car before the 
car and contents equal the weight of an empty refrigerator car. 
The horse-power required to haul seven of the old cars will easily 
draw ten of the new cars. It is claimed that the loss to the 
shippers by the old style averages 100 dols. per car, which makes 
the loss many thousand dollars a season. There is practically no 
loss sustained in the new system. Another advantage claimed is 
that it is not necessary now to pick half-ripe fruit, which is so 
hard to dispose of in the eastern markets on account of its being 
without flavour. The recent experiment proved that fruit, grapes, 
berries, and flowers gathered at their best reached New Orleans 
in perfect condition. This will increase the prices and demand 
for California products. : 
“ That there should be considerable jealousy felt by those who 
have been carrying fruit in the past is not to be wondered at. 
When the new fruit car reached Sacramento, a week ago yester- 
day, some one broke it open and destroyed a part of the compressed- 
air apparatus. After a little delay in making repairs the car went 
east by the southern route in order to put the contents to a severe 
test in the hot climate of the south. 
“ A part of the fruit has been sold in New Orleans, but the 
-bulk will be brought back to this city in order that shippers may 
be satisfied as to its condition after travelling in hot weather for 
‘thousands of miles, The car is expected to reach this city about 
the middle of the coming week. In honour of the success of the 
compressed-air system of shipping fruit a reception and good time 
‘will be held at the State Board of Trade rooms on Market-street, 
near Second, as soon as the car arrives.” 
On the return of the car to Oakland, it was inspected by the 
president and members of the San Francisco Board of Trade. 
The Morning Call, a leading San Francisco daily, under date of 
20th November, thus describes the inspection :— 
“After a journey of over 5,000 miles, requiring fifteen days, 
the experimental car, loaded with fruits and flowers, which started 
from Oakland over two weeks ago, returned from its trip to New 
Orleans. This car was loaded with the purpose in view of testing 
