12 CIRCULAR 713, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



hours at 45° scattered specimens in the top 2 inches and along the 

 sides of the hamper showed water-soaked mottling in small 

 patches on the surface of the pods. When the injured pods were 

 bent toward one of these patches, moisture oozed out on the sur- 

 face. None of the pods appeared to have been completely frozen, 

 and none of the beans in the center of the package showed injury 

 of any kind. After a week longer at 60° the patches that had 

 previously been water-soaked and discolored were dried out and 

 turning brown. 



Beans on the market that have been frozen are water-soaked and 

 limp, and they quickly dry down or are invaded by bacteria or 

 fungi. 



Bunch Beets 



Bunch beets in a standard crate, papered over the sides, ends, 

 and bottom, were held in a 24° F. room for 28 hours. On removal 

 from the freezing room the tops and roots were found frozen at the 

 top, along the sides and ends, and at the bottom of the crate. Im- 

 mediately after thawing the leaves had a water-soaked appearance. 

 There was no freezing at the center of the crate. After 17 hours 

 at 60° there was no sign of injury in any leaves or roots; after 12 

 days the small rootlets were becoming moldy, but the main roots 

 (the beets) were still sound and firm. 



On the market, freezing injury is shown by flabbiness of the 

 roots and small radial cracks in their centers. 



Sprouting Broccoli 



One dozen bunches, or "heads," of broccoli in a crate, papered 

 over the sides, ends, and bottom, were held in a 24° F. room for 72 

 hours. On removal from the freezing room the stems were found 

 frozen at the base, but the flower heads were not frozen. After the 

 crate had been held at 55° for 24 hours, no injury could be detected 

 in any of the bunches. 



On the market, freezing injury shows first as water soaking of 

 the stem core. 



Cabbage 



An unpapered crate containing two layers of heads of new cab- 

 bage was held in a 24° F. room for 78 hours. On removal from the 

 freezing room some heads were found frozen solid and others only 

 on the outside to a depth of one-quarter to one-half inch. After 6 

 days at 60° none of the heads showed any signs of injury. 



Several heads of old cabbage, unprotected (not in a container), 

 were placed in a 24° F. room and left for 6 days. On removal and 

 while still frozen, they had a glassy, water-soaked appearance in 

 the heart and some of the larger midribs. After 24 hours at 60° 

 they were completely thawed. When cut lengthwise they looked 

 entirely normal except that the lowermost leaves of the head 

 tended to separate from the stem or heart. Such separation also 



