perforated during unsupervised handling at room temperature to 
avoid possible injury to the fruit. 
Decay in Sealed Packages 
Decay is always a hazard during the prolonged storage of apples. 
When fruit is packed in any of the sealed films with low moisture 
transmission rates, the decay problem can be intensified. This is espe- 
cially true in the packing of apples with an unsuspected orchard in- 
fection of perennial canker. The author has observed as high as 16 
percent decay in such cases. Only sound fruit washed with an effec- 
tive fungicide and from orchards of good previous storage history 
should be packed in sealed liners. In limited commercial experience, 
the appearance of certain lots of unwashed but wiped Golden Delicious 
apples packed in sealed film was impaired because of excessive growth 
of a surface mold (fig. 8). This fungus did not affect the keeping 
quality or taste of the fruit. Its removal from the surface of the 
fruit was difficult because of the sticky nature of the fungus. Com- 
parable fruit washed with an effective fungicide and packaged in a 
similar film presented an excellent appearance after storage. 
N-14452 
FIGurRE 8.— Showing the impaired appearance and presence of a dark surface mold 
on unwashed Golden Delicious apples at 31° F. when packed in sealed poly- 
ethylene 150. 
Ripening Capacity and Dessert Quality 
The condition, appearance, and dessert quality of Golden Delicious 
apples packaged in the films listed in table 10 were studied during 
ripening at 65° F. To establish the margin of safety in the handling 
of the fruit in sealed film liners during simulated retail marketing, 
21 
