SHIPMENT OF RED RASPBERRIES. iy 
RELATION OF RAINFALL TO HANDLING. 
The climatic conditions during a season to a great extent de- 
termine not only the shipping quality but also the quantity shipped 
in a fresh state. During wet, rainy periods it 1s impracticable to 
pick berries. Much fruit becomes overripe, and if the rainy weather 
continues for any length of time all the berries will lack the desired 
firmness, being soft, very tender, and full of moisture. The rains 
therefore determine largely the "fresh-fruit output and are a big 
Fic. 16.—A pony refrigerator used for the shipment of small lots of red raspberries 
under refrigeration. The open refrigerator shows six compartments, three of which 
are filled. 
fiers in the success attained during any one season. Many berries 
mold on the vines during muggy weather, and all the berries are so 
extremely tender as to ‘stand practically no pressure or handling 
without injury. 
RELATION OF METHODS OF GROWING TO KEEPING QUALITY. 
The liability to injury in handling depends to some extent also on 
the methods of growing and training. The visible evidence in the 
valley seems to indicate that potash used with judgment tends toward 
firmer and better keeping berries. This statement is not based on any 
experimental evidence, but only on a general existing belief among 
the better growers and on observation during the two seasons cov- 
ered by this work. It is, of course, unnecessary to consider all 
those factors in culture that tend to produce first-class fruit. The 
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