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thoroughly the efficacy of sterilized atmosphere as a substitute 
for ice for use in refrigerator cars, and the results secured were in 
every way of the most satisfactory nature. 
“There was a representative crowd of gentlemen present when: 
the car was opened yesterday morning, including the president 
and other officials of the State Board of Trade, several gentlemen 
who are interested in the carbonic acid plan recently tested in the 
same manner as the one now spoken of, and a number of the 
head officials of the Southern Pacific Company. Dr. Perkins, 
who was the inventor of the process under consideration, was also 
present. 
“He superintended the fitting up of the car and its loading, 
and went with it all the way to New Orleans, in order to see 
that everything was all right, and to observe closely the effects 
of the process upon the contents of the car. 
“Dr. Perkins said that the car had been opened about 30 times 
during the trip, and for this reason the condition of its contents- 
now was manifestly not a fair test as to the merits of the plan, 
but it proved upon examination that no explanation of this 
character was necessary, as both the fruit and flowers were found’ 
to be in a most excellent condition. 
“There was hardly an article in the car which showed the 
slightest indication of decay. Boxes of grapes were taken out 
which were as firm as the day they were packed, and which 
proved to have retained all their usual flavour. Dr. Perkins 
stated that these grapes were picked in the early morning while 
the dew was still fresh upon them, and this statement brought 
out the remark from one of the gentlemen present that they 
should have been first dried in the sun before packing, as much: 
injury was likely to result from the moisture spoken of after 
being packed for a day or two. No trace of bad effects in this 
particular were noticeable. ‘This was also true of all the fruits in 
the car, and, as for the flowers, they still retained their fragrance. 
and fresh appearance. Splendid chrysanthemums were brought 
to the light withont a drooping leaf, looking, as the onlookers. 
said, as if they had just been plucked from the garden. 
“The most interesting phase of this experiment rests in the 
probable cost of shipments, and, if what is claimed for the process. 
proves true, the fruit-growers and florists of this state will have 
great cause for self-congratulation. It is said that the maximum 
cost of the shipment by the process will be 25 dollars a car, and 
it is thought that 20 dollars will in most cases be amply sufficient: 
to pay the cost in this respect. Shipment in the old manner by 
refrigerator cars costs approximately 200 dollars each, thus making” 
a saving of at least 175 dollars a car. 
“Frequently in packing a car with ice as much as two tons are 
wasted without securing any result, that is, it requires that 
amount to get the car down to the necessary temperature before 
the fruit can be put in. Another saving of magnitude by the 
