86 



L_oMGiTUDiwAi_ 3e:ctiom 



LoNGlTUDINAIv SECTION OF A "GrAVITY BriNE SySTEm" CoED STORAGE HoUSE. 



(Courtesy, Madison Cooper Co.) 



in the top of the building where it is mixed with salt. This mix- 

 ture goes into the tanks which have pipes filled with calcium carbide 

 and water. These pipes go through all the storage rooms thus 

 cooling them to the required temperature. There is a complete 

 system of ventilation for all the rooms drawing out the bad air, which 

 contains carbonic acid gas that is thrown off by the fruit and re- 

 placing with fresh air. Pears going into storage hot in the sum- 

 mer weather throw oft" more carbonic acid gas than do the apples, 

 which are put in in cooler weather, and replacing with fresh air. 

 These fans are run on frosty nights in the fall and when cold 

 weather comes can be used at any time, thus saving the cost of ice 

 in operating and giving fresh air to the fruit. 



Mr. Hartwell, who ran three cold storages at one time but who 

 is now managing the 80,000 barrel ammonia plant at Brighton, N. Y., 

 came to the conclusion that the old way of storing fruit with no 

 ventilation was bad on the fruit, so at a big expense has put in a 

 complete line of fans, piping, etc., that will change all the air in 

 the rooms in a short time. Carbonic acid gas in any quantity 

 through the lungs is a narcotic poison, while taken through the 

 stomach does not act as a poison, but is refreshing. Mr. Cooper 

 and Mr. Hartwell both claim and seem to be able to prove that 

 carbonic acid gas is detrimental to fruit and should be removed. 

 This idea has not been absolutely settled, but in visiting the different 

 houses, one cannot help but notice better air and freedom from fruit 

 and other odors in rooms where fan circulation is used than in 

 rooms where the same air is kept through the entire season and 

 from year to year. The air is damp and heavy with no life in it. 



