COLD STORAGE OB^ THE PEACH. 23 



INFLUENCE OF COLD STORAGE ON THE PEACH INDUSTRY. 



Cold storage has not materially influenced the development of the 

 American peach business, and it is not likely to do so to any extent in 

 the future. In the early days of peach growing the industry was 

 localized in sections like the Chesapeake Peninsula, New Jersey, and 

 Michigan. The use of the fruit in considerable quantities was then 

 limited to a few near-by markets and to a short time in July, August, 

 and September. Now peach growing is rapidly extending to all parts 

 of the country where the climatic conditions and the facilities for 

 transportation are favorable. The refrigerator-car service has brought 

 the peach belts and the distant markets close together, and whenever 

 the crop is general the New York or the Chicago trade may be sup- 

 plied almost, continuously from May till late October with fruit from 

 Florida, Texas, Georgia, the Chesapeake Peninsula, New Jersey, the 

 Ozark Mountain region, Michigan, New England, California, West 

 Virginia, western Maryland, and other peach-growing sections. 



The chief value of cold storage to the peach industry will probably 

 lie in the temporary storage of the fruit during an overstocked mar- 

 ket, when, however, there is a reasonable prospect of a better market 

 within two or three weeks. It might be useful also in filling the gaps 

 between the crops of different regions, especially when there are local 

 failures which prevent a continuous supply. It is not now profitable 

 to store the fruit for any length of time, nor under any circumstances 

 unless the condition of the fruit and the storage conditions are most 

 favorable. The life processes in the peach and the weather conditions 

 in which it is handled make it even more critical as a storage product 

 than the delicate Bartlett pear. In normal ripening it passes from 

 maturity to deca}^ in a few hours in hot, humid weather. The aroma 

 and flavor are most delicate in character and are easily injured or lost, 

 and the influence of any mismanagement of the fruit in the orchard, 

 in transit, or in the storage house is quickly detected by the consumer. 



PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES IN PEACH STORAGE. 



Under the most favorable conditions known at present, peach stor- 

 age is a hazardous business. Before the fruit is taken from the storage 

 house the flesh often turns brown in color, while the skin remains 

 bright and normal. If the flesh is natural in color and texture it fre- 

 quently discolors within a day or two after removal. There is a rapid 

 deterioration in the quality of stored peaches when the fruit is held 

 for any length of time, the delicate aroma and flavor giving way to an 

 insipid or even bitter taste. Sometimes the flesh dries out, or under 

 other conditions it may become " pasty." Dealers in storage peaches 

 frequently sell them in a bright, firm condition, and shortly after- 

 wards the purchasers complain of the dark and worthless quality of 



