36 



BULLETIN 1406, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



ducted in which the fruit was held at 32° and then removed to 

 higher temperatures. Figures 21 and 22 show the softening rates of 

 two varieties held for a short period at 32° and then removed to 

 various temperatures from 32° to 85°. It is apparent that the soften- 

 ing rate at the different temperatures following an initial period of 

 holding at 32° is approximately the same as for similar varieties 

 held continuously from the time of picking at corresponding tem- 

 peratures. Softening at 70° proceeded at approximately 10 times 



Fig. 19. — Softening of Virginia-grown York Imperial apples in storage at various 

 temperatures, 1924-25 



the rate of the softening at 32° with intermediate temperatures rang- 

 ing about in the same order. 



In order to still further determine whether or not there was an 

 appreciable difference in softening rate, depending on whether or 

 not the fruit had been held at low temperatures, the data reported in 

 Figure 23 were obtained. Certain lots of Winesap and Ben Davis 

 apples were placed in storage at 32° F., and similar lots were stored 

 immediately after picking at temperatures of 70°, 50°, and 40° and 

 the softening rates at these various temperatures determined. 

 After a period of three months in storage at 32°, the firmness of the 



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Fig. 20. — Softening of Virginia-grown Winesap apples in storage at various tem- 

 peratures, 1924-25 



fruit held at this temperature was tested and portions of it removed 

 to 40°, 50°, and 70° respectively. The softening rates at these tem- 

 peratures, following three months at 32°, were then determined. 

 The solid lines in Figure 23 represent the softening of the fruit held 

 from time of picking at 40°, 50°, and 70°. The broken lines repre- 

 sent fruit held three months at 32°, then removed to 40°, 50°, and 

 70°. To facilitate comparison, the broken lines for all temperatures 

 are started on the chart adjacent to the solid lines for the same 



