FURTHER STUDIES OF THE ROTS OF STRAWBERRY FRUITS. 
TEMPERATURE AT TIME OF PICKING IN RELATION TO DECAY. 
Another striking illustration of the importance of temperature in 
controlling Rhizopus rot is found in the relation of the rate of decay 
to the temperature at the time of picking. In studies which are to 
be reported in detail elsewhere, the writiers have determined that on 
clear days the temperature of many small fruits, including straw- 
berries, is much higher near midday than in the early morning or late 
afternoon. Experiments have shown further that the decay of 
strawberries picked near noon is more rapid than that of similar 
berries picked early in the morning. For example, strawberries of 
the Klondike variety were picked at Hammond, La., at various 
times and held in the packing shed until about 4.30 p. m., when they 
were shipped to Chicago under refrigeration in the regular express 
service, which gives second-morning delivery. They were examined 
and sorted on the day following their arrival. (Series A, Table VI.) 
Wider differences in keeping quality were obtained with another 
series picked and shipped under similar conditions. (Series B, 
Table VI.) 
Table VI. — Keeping quality of strawberries in relation to temperature at time of picking, 
as shown by three series of tests of fruit grown at Hammond, La. 
Time of picking. 
Temperature when 
Number of 
picked. 
berries. 
° C. 
° F. 
24.5 
76 
140 
28.5 
83 
142 
31.0 
88 
204 
32.0 
90 
90 
30.5 
87 
133 
26.0 
79 
180 
15.0 
59 
165 
23.5 
74 
103 
29.5 
85 
273 
31.0 
88 
109 
35.0 
95 
153 
32.5 
91 
115 
31.0 
88 
162 
35.0 
95 
248 
32.5 
91 
222 
30.0 
86 
270 
21.0 
70 
387 
Sound on 
examina- 
tion. 
Series A: 
8 a. m 
9.15 a.m...' 
10 a. It 
12m.„V J 
2 p. m 
4 p. m. (cloudy) 
Series B: 
6 a. m 
8 a. m 
10 a. m 
12 m. (drifting clouds) 
2 p. m 
4 p. m 
Series C: 
12m 
2p. m 
4 p. m 
5 p. m 
6.45 p. m 
Per cent. 
In order to ship the berries to Chicago under refrigeration, it was 
necessary to discontinue each test at 4 p. m. (series A and B, Table VI). 
A third series of tests was accordingly made on the same day as that 
of series B, in which the berries were held at air temperature at 
Hammond, La., for two days, with the results shown. (Series C, 
Table VI.) 
The results of the tests designated as series C, which parallels that 
recorded under Series B, Table VI (from 12 m. until 4 p.m.), indicate 
that berries picked late in the afternoon, after their temperature had 
