plastic films. The influence of these films on the storage condition, 
ripening capacity, dessert quatity, and physiology of the fruit received 
special attention. 
METHODS 
Source and Handling of Fruit 
Pears and apples of each variety in the tests were picked at optimum 
raturity from individual trees located in the Wenatchee valley of 
Washington. The fruit was sorted, composited, and placed in stor- 
age at 31° F. on the day of harvest. After 24 to 48 hours of precool- 
ing, it was packed in the various experimental sealed films. 
Film for pears was used in bag form to fit a special small wooden 
apple box (844 x 714 x 16 inches I. D.) and as individual fruit wrap- 
pers. Appr oximately 20 pounds of unwr apped fruit was packed in 
each film-lined box and the film was closed by twist- sealing around a 
short piece of glass tubing to facilitate withdrawal of air for gas 
analyses. In the individual stretch- wrapping trials, the heated film 
was tightly stretched around each pear with a twist seal around the 
stem. Check lots of pears were packed in oiled wraps in standard 
wooden pear boxes. 
The films for Golden Delicious apples were made into gussetted bag 
liners to fit either the standard wooden apple box eee) or the cell- 
type fiberboard cartons (1951) shown in figures 1, 2, 3, 4. These 
cartons had either plain or paraftin-waxed corrugated fiberboard 
liners that strengthened the sides and afforded the fruit added pro- 
tection against bruising. Film closure in all instances was made by 
a twist seal as used for pears. The varieties of pears and apples used 
in this study and information relative to their harvest are given in 
table 1. 
Taste 1.—Date of harvest and firmness of pears and apples for 
specified years 
Date of | 
Variety and year haeeeat Firmness 
Pears 
Bartlett: Pounds 
ePaper et Se eS Aug. 22 16. 4 
EN cc a Se ee ee ee Aug. 22 16. 6 
USES Soe 2 Se es ee ee ee en eee eee ee eee Aug. 26 15. 8 
Anjou 
ee ee ec Sept. 21 10. 6 
Pee ees ee Sn PEE le ee Sept. 31 11.8 
LYE Die Sn a eet en See Ua: SE Sy ies ge aN ae a Sept. 13 10. 6 
OES ae Se fit Se 2 ool | lepn ne ames Leet ot Sept. 17 10. 9 
PE Opener Pee ee a ee ee et D Sept. 22 LOGE 
Comice 
Bo le beg Pe eer Wek ten ee aw See ede ag PE Ocie 23 1022 
cine eiee 2 eet Sept. 25 9.3 
Bose 
USERS oo 5 ie Eg eee gee ee 20 Cag ee eet ae Sept. 30 1 ies: 
Apples 
Golden Delicious: 
eg mica eM ee eel Ome ae Oct. 15 1a 
PCE Maas Celts en SO ey ee oe Oct.- 8 | 15. 3 
