COMMERCIAL STORAGE OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 37 



Taro {Colocasia esculenta), spotted caladium (G. neoguineen- 

 sis), and tuber begonias (Begonia) tubehybrida) may be held at 45° 

 F. and a humidity of 75 to 80 percent for several months. They 

 should be packed in dry sawdust or peat. 



Cannas (G anna indica) , dahlias (Dahlia sp.), and peonies (Paeonia 

 sp.) may be stored at 45° to 50° F. over a period of 6 to 7 months with 

 a humidity of 70 to 80 percent. They are usually packed in dry soil 

 or sawdust. 



Gladiolus sp. (mostly hybrids) stored at 35° F. and at a humidity 

 of 70 to 75 percent will keep in good condition for the normal stor- 

 age period of 7 to 8 months. They should be stored dry in shallow 

 trays with ample ventilation, but only after a curing period of 3 to 

 6 weeks in an open or well-ventilated shed. 



Common and golden callas (Zantedeschia oMhiopica and Z. elliot- 

 tiana) stored at 35° F. and at a humidity of 70 to 75 percent in dry 

 soil or peat will keep for many months, if it is necessary to store 

 them. The normal rest period in the forcing cycle is during May, 

 June, and July. Unless water is withheld during this period com- 

 plete dormancy will not exist. Therefore, storage in a dry condition 

 is essential, with sufficient humidity to prevent undue shriveling. 



BULBS 



Most varieties of Narcissus sp., hyacinths (Hyacinthus oriental-is) , 

 freesias (Freesia refracta alba), tulips (Tulipa sp.), squills (Scilla 

 sp.), snowdrops (Galantlius nivalis), Crocus sp., and similar bulbs 

 m&y be held in common storage for several months. However, many 

 of them are still imported in large numbers and these are usually not 

 stored, since better results are obtained by planting them as soon as 

 they arrive. 



The genus Lilium, of which there are approximately 50 species, 

 like most other bulbs, give best results if planted when received. 

 However, as Easter lilies are forced during the entire year, it be- 

 comes necessary to provide cold-storage conditions suitable for sat- 

 isfactory holding until they are wanted for planting. The bulbs 

 should be packed in boxes in thoroughly dry soil, if rooting and des- 

 iccation are to be prevented. A temperature of 32° F. with a 

 humidity of 75 to 80 percent is recommended. 



Tulips are usually not stored in any packing material, although 

 this may be advantageous for long storage. Temperatures of 36° to 

 38° F., except for short storage, are considered rather low for tulips 

 shipped in from the West in which the buds are already formed. 

 The best storage temperature for shipped tulips is between 50° and 

 55°. 



LITERATURE CITED 



(1) Brooks, C, Cooley, J. S., and Fisher, D. F. 



1923. apple scald and its control. U.S. Dept. Agr. Farmers' Bui. 

 1380, 17 p., illus. 



(2) Cooley, J. S., and Fisher, D. F. 



1930. diseases of apples in storage. U.S. Dept. Agr. Farmers' Bui. 

 1160, 20 p., illus. (Revised.) 



(3) Carrick, D. B. 



1930. SOME COLD STORAGE AND FREEZING STUDIES ON THE FRUIT OF THE 



vinifera grape. N.Y. (Cornell) Agr. Expt. Sta. Mem. 131, 

 37 p.. illus. 



