60 



BULLETIN 1141, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



during the curing, or sweating, process. In this condition the prod- 

 uct may be packed for the trade without further treatment. 



However, if the fruit has become so dry that the individual pieces 

 are not pliable, they will not pack well in the boxes. To put the 

 fruit in good condition to pack it may be treated in several different 

 ways with the end in view of making it pliable so that it will com- 

 press readily into the boxes. 



The method most commonly employed in the past consists of dip- 

 ping the fruit in water long enough to moisten the outside. The 

 water used may be cold, tepid, or in some cases it is used boiling hot. 

 Sometimes a little salt is added. The fruit is then spread 2 or 3 inches 

 deep on trays and lightly sulphured, after which it is dried slightly 

 before packing if considered necessary. It is sufficient, commonly, 



Fig. 17. — A 50-pound box of 

 " fancy " evaporated apples 

 with cover removed. 



Fig. 18. — A 50-pound box of " fancy " 

 evaporated apples with, cover and 

 paper lace removed. 



to permit the fruit to remain in a dark room for 24 hours after 

 dipping if it has not absorbed too much water in the dipping. This 

 treatment usually softens the fruit enough to make it pack well and 

 is said also to prevent the development of any insect larvse or eggs or 

 of fungous diseases with which the fruit may have become infected 

 while in the curing room. 



A good deal of care needs to be exercised in sulphuring the fruit 

 at this time — just before it is packed. It is claimed that most of the 

 complaints which have been made in regard to the sulphuring of 

 these fruits are due to excessive treatment just before they are packed 

 rather than to that which they receive before they are dried, and it 

 is clear that an excessive treatment with sulphur has often been em- 

 ployed to prevent fermentation in fruit to which large quantities of 

 water have been added by soaking prior to packing. 



