STORAGE OF APPLES IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. eile 
variety than on any other that is extensively grown. As delay between picking 
and storage almost invariably results in both decay and Jonathan spot, imme- 
diate storage is particularly important with the Jonathans. They usually 
passed their best commercial condition the latter part of December. 
GRIMES (GRIMES GOLDEN).—Grimes has a short storage season. It holds its 
1 flavor fairly well, but ripens quickly and is particularly susceptible to scald. 
, In cold storage it should seldom be held later than the middle or latter part of. 
| December. 
SUMMARY. 
| During the seasons 1911-12 to 1914-15, inclusive, extensive in- 
| vestigations were conducted by the United States Department of 
_ Agriculture to determine those factors which are of the greatest im- 
| portance to the successful storage of the apples of the Pacific North- 
west. For this purpose apples were secured from the various more 
important apple-growing sections of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, 
and Montana. 
| The experiments conducted in 32° F. storage showed— 
| A wide range in the cold-storage keeping qualities of various 
varieties, depending upon the decay, skin blemish, texture changes, 
etc., which they develop. 
That a 2-weeks’ delay between the picking and storage of apples 
often greatly reduces their life in storage through more rapid ripen- 
ing and the development of scald, Jonathan spot, scab, and decay. 
That a 32° F. temperature will hold apples longer and in better 
condition than will a 35° F. temperature, the difference in favor of 
the former increasing with the time in storage. 
Immature picking results in severe scald and early decay of apples 
in storage. 
The storage of overmature apples is an equally bad or worse prac- 
tice than the storage of immature apples, resulting in more rapid 
deterioration than with those picked and stored at proper maturity. 
Well-colored portions of the skin seldom, if ever, develop scald. 
Carelessness in handling is responsible for considerable decay of 
apples in storage, and freedom from bruises and skin abrasions is 
fundamental to successful storage. 
Apples from orchards badly infected with northwestern anthrac- 
- nose are likely to decay early in their storage life. 
Apples in cotd storage should be carefully watched and inspected 
in order that they may be disposed of while in good condition. 
In conclusion, it is pointed out that successful cold storage of 
apples is as much the result of the treatment they receive before be- 
ing placed in cold storage as of the conditions and temperatures 
under which they are held in storage. The responsibility rests as 
| much with the producer and handling organizations as with the cold- 
| storage warehousemen. 
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TRO OSE 
