34 



CIRCULAR 6 5 9, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



THE DEALER'S RESPONSIBILITY 



From the foregoing discussion it might appear that the condition 

 and quality of the apples have been predetermined by what has hap- 

 pened to the fruit before it reaches the dealer. This is true in large 

 measure, but there are a number of things that the dealer can do to 

 reduce deterioration of the apples that he buys for resale. To list 

 them would be for the most part to repeat the factors already enu- 

 merated, but with special application to conditions under the dealer's 

 control. 



It should be unnecessary to emphasize further that apples begin 

 to deteriorate as soon as they are mature and begin to ripen. The rate 

 of deterioration varies with the variety and particularly with the 

 way in which the individual lot of apples is handled, especially with 

 the temperature at which it is held. It should be axiomatic then that 

 apples do not improve in storage and that the best that can be done 

 is to slow up the rate at which they will deteriorate. Even if they 

 are good and sound when stored, they are bound to be less so when 

 they are removed for sale. 



The first responsibility of the dealer should be to buy good 

 fruit, but this does not necessarily mean buying fruit marked "Extra 

 Fancy" or "U. S. No. 1." These grade designations, even though they 

 may have honestly described the quality of the fruit at the time of 

 packing, do not reflect changes in condition, such as ripeness, decay, 

 and scald, that have taken place during the storage period. The buyer 



Figure 17. — Retail display of apples mostly in their original containers, in which 

 they keep best, and away from potatoes and root crops, from which they may 

 absorb odors, and from leafy vegetables, which are sprinkled to keep them 

 fresh. 



