53 



in color, while the peas fresli from the cold storage room were not 

 discolored, save, perhaps, an occasional seed. These differences in 

 color are shown in Plate III (figs. 1 and 2). 



COST OF COLD STORAGE. 



While a few seedsmen have adopted the method of keeping cow- 

 peas in cold storage, the majority contend that it is too expensive. 

 Those who practice the cold-storage treatment, however, find it 

 entirely practicable and economical. Data obtained from a number 

 of the largest and best equipped cold-storage houses in the United 

 States show that the cost of storing a bushel of seed of this kind 

 varies from 3.6 to 7.5 cents a month, depending chiefly upon the 

 quantity stored. The former price is for seed stored in carload 

 lots and the latter for quantities of 100 bushels or less. • The cost 

 of cold storage for the season, from four to seven months, ranges from 

 15 to 25 cents per bushel, depending upon the length of time and the 

 quantity of seed stored. A number of the cold-storage men are 

 already familiar with the handling of stock of this kind, and from 

 those the lowest prices Avere submitted. But to pay the highest 

 price, 25 cents per bushel for the season, is analogous to paying that 

 price for a new stock of seed. 



HOW SEED SHOULD BE STORED. 



Cowpeas, when kept in cold storage, should be handled in bags, just 

 as in the Avarehouse. The objection frequently raised by those who 

 are unfamiliar with the cold-storage method is that of excessive 

 moisture, the contention being that cold storage would necessitate 

 special containers. This objection, however, is not a valid one, for, 

 at a temperature of 32° to 34° F. the air can retain but a compara- 

 tively small quantity of water vapor. Furthermore, at low tempera- 

 tures moisture is much less deleterious to vitality than at temperatures 

 such as are found during the summer months in warm, moist climates, 

 where seeds of all kinds soon lose their vitality. It is, however, de- 

 sirable to keep the seed as dry as possible, and separate cold-storage 

 rooms should be provided for stock of this character. 



If the bags of seed are taken from cold storage and placed in a 

 warm, moist room, there may be in exceptional cases a sufficient con- 

 densation of moisture to cause " sweating." But if the cold storage 

 room has been dry and a good circulation of air is maintained between 

 the bags for a short time after they are taken from cold storage, the 

 temperature of the seed will soon be the same as that of the surround- 

 ing air and the danger of " sweating " will be overcome. 



