FUMIGATION OF FRUIT TO DESTROY JAPANESE BEETLE 



These fruits, with the exception of the blueberries, were purchased 

 in the open market and, when received, were packed into boxes and 

 crates ready for shipment. 



All fruits were treated in the original boxes and crates immediately 

 after they were received at the laboratory. A record was made of 

 the condition of each variety just before treatment. Upon comple- 

 tion of the treatment, all the fruit, except the blueberries, was taken 

 from the fumigation chamber and, together with a representative 

 control of untreated fruit of the same varieties, was held at outside 

 temperatures. The fruit was tasted by various individuals imme- 

 diately after treatment to determine whether enough carbon disul- 

 phide had been absorbed to be noticeable. In only a very few 

 instances, and only when the person making the test knew that the 



"too 



(California) 



Figure 5. — Proportions of fruits that were firm 24 hours after treatment with 10 

 pounds of carbon disulphide per 1,000 cubic feet for 2 hours at 80° F. compared 

 with the proportions of untreated fruits that were firm. 



fruit had been treated with carbon disulphide, was a slight taste of 

 the compound reported. 



All the fruit was held for at least 24 hours after treatment and the 

 effect of the treatment checked in several ways. In every case, with 

 the exception of the blueberries, the treatment apparently had no 

 detrimental effect on the appearance or edibility of the fruit. In 

 addition, the treated raspberries seemed to retain their physical 

 condition and bright color longer than the untreated berries. 



Fruits such as blackberries, raspberries, or strawberries naturally 

 are softer when ripe than gooseberries, currants, or blueberries. As 

 a result, the keeping qualities of different fruits under normal con- 

 ditions vary. A comparison, based on firmness, of the keeping- 

 qualities of fruits treated with carbon disulphide with those of 

 untreated fruits is shown in figure 5. 



