HANDLING APPLES FROM TREE TO TABLE 



39 



keeping all pressure away from the center of the lids (fig. 5). To provide 

 good air circulation, which is needed to keep the fruit cool in warm 

 weather, containers of apples should be kept away from outside walls 

 and should be placed on a false floor or slatted platform with 3 or 4 

 inches of air space beneath. These measures will also reduce danger of 

 freezing damage in cold weather. 



In displaying apples the fruit should be kept away from potatoes, 

 onions, and other root crops from which they may absorb odors. Apples 

 should also be kept away from wet, green, leafy vegetables that are 

 sprinkled to keep them fresh. The apples themselves should never be 

 sprinkled, as this may stimulate decay. However, apples deteriorate 

 rapidly when exposed in warm, dry air; hence, most of the stock should 

 be kept in the original containers (fig. 21). Displays should not be made 

 near radiators, stoves, or sunny windows, and they should be of such 

 size that they will have to be renewed frequently with fresh stock. 



Tigure 21. — 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. 



Frequently dealers make mass displays of apples, removing them 

 from the containers and piling the fruit in pyramids or otherwise in large 

 lots. This contributes to bruising damage unless very carefully done. 

 In self-service stores, where customers are free to select the fruit that 

 they purchase and where in consequence it may be handled a good 

 deal, the bruising is increased considerably after the apples are put on 

 display. The extent of this damage, of course, varies, but that it may 

 be serious is shown by the conditions observed in one of the stores 

 covered by Crandall in the survey reported by Nold (19). Crandall ex- 



947960-51—6 



