PROCEEDINGS OF THIRTY-SIXTH FRUIT-GROWERS ' CONVENTION. 



181 



wood sawdust has been further tested, and all of the results so far show 

 that it is superior to the cork. The grapes packed in this sawdust hold 

 longer and in better condition, and in future we shall probably confine 

 our investigations of grape fillers to this material. It seems particularly 

 fortunate that so valuable a substitute is at hand. It would be impracti- 

 cable to use cork in this State on a large scale, both on account of its 

 high price and comparative scarcity. It is evident that the importers 

 of Spanish grapes are becoming aware of the superiority of redwood, 

 as already inquiries are being made in the interest of foreign growers 

 regarding the practicability of obtaining this sawdust in quantity. 



It is impossible at this time to state the reason for the better holding 

 qualities of the redwood sawdust. At first it was thought to be due to 

 the greater fineness of the material, but a comparison of it with cork 

 ground or shredded to the same degree of fineness as the sawdust, 

 while it shows some difference in favor of the finer ground material, 

 does not indicate that this is the only cause. So far, no attempt has 

 been made to treat the sawdust in any way except to be sure that it 

 was thoroughly dry. The material has been obtained from planing 

 mills working on dried lumber, and consequently the dust has been 

 rather fine. The use of this fine sawdust this season on a rather large 

 scale shows that while the fine material holds the grapes in prime condi- 

 tion it has a distinct disadvantage in clinging tenaciously to the grape 

 berries, especially around the pedicels and it is difficult to dislodge these 

 fine particles without a strong air blast. It is, therefore, evident that 

 before redwood sawdust can be used commercially it will have to be 

 freed of the fine dust and splintery particles. Millmen assure us that 

 this would be a comparatively simple and inexpensive process by using 

 a fan. and it could be done at the mill without difficulty if the demand 

 for the cleaned sawdust becomes great enough. 



The flavor of the grapes packed in redwood has never been found to 

 be tainted as long as the sawdust is pure. A slight mixture of pine or 

 cedar, however, seems, sufficient to flavor the grapes when held in 

 storage for some length of time. 



The storage investigations show that for long holding a filler will 

 have to be used. All varieties with the exception of the Almeria. and 

 possibly the Emperor, do not hold in first-class condition longer than 

 thirty to forty days packed in crates, or too short a time, usually, for 

 the holiday trade, which is the market offering the best demand for 

 fancy grapes in good condition. 



Table Xo. 1 shows the results of the cold storage experiments of last 

 year (1908). The data are given in terms of the number of days after 

 storing, when the fruit showed 5 per cent and 15 per cent deteriora- 

 tion, including decay, physiological breakdown, and shelling from the 

 stems. These results were obtained by an actual determination of the 

 percentages by weight, care being taken to segregate all the unsound 

 berries. It is difficult to determine the exact commercial limit, because 

 market conditions vary so widely in different sections and in different 

 seasons. It is safe, however, to say that it will not pay to store any- 

 thing but the very best and fanciest fruit, not only on account of the 

 better keeping quality, but also because a relatively high price must be 

 expected, and buyers are always more critical and particular when 

 prices are high. 



