PREFACE 



This report is based on research directed cooperatively by the 

 Agricultural Marketing Service and the Agricultural Research Service. The 

 Agricultural Marketing Service research was conducted by the Fruit Industries 

 Research Foundation, Inc., under a contract with the United States Department 

 of Agriculture. 



The results reported are preliminary and the report itself should be 

 considered to be an interim report. Because of the great interest in the 

 results of this research by growers, storage and packinghouse operators, 

 suppliers, and the apple industry generally, it was decided to release this 

 report prior to completion of the research project. The intent is to make 

 the preliminary results available so apple people can take advantage of the 

 research to date. It is anticipated that in the Pacific Northwest alone the 

 apple industry will be spending in excess of $1,250,000 for pallet boxes and 

 associated equipment during the 1958-59 season. This report should furnish 

 guidance for these expenditures, and help expand the market for farm products. 



Acknowledgment is made to Harold A. Schomer, Biological Sciences Branch, 

 and G. F. Sainsbury, formerly of the Transportation and Facilities Branch, 

 Marketing Research Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, for their guidance 

 and helpful suggestions in conducting the bruising and cooling rate studies. 



Acknowledgment is made of the cooperation and assistance given by 

 individuals and organizations in the apple industry in making this research 

 possible. 



Agriculture-Washington April 1958 



- l - 



