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Remarkable Pines 24 years old at Whyte Park, Wirrabara. 
COOL STORAGE OF FRUIT. 
[By W. French, Engineer in Charge, 
Government Stores, Doncaster. | 
Refrigeration is chiefly of economic 
importance for the four 
Teasons:— 
following 
(1) To prevent premature decay of 
perishable produce. 
(2) To lengthen the period of con- 
sumption and thus greatly 
increase production, 
(3) To enable the owner to market 
his products at will. 
(4) To make possible transportation 
in good condition from point 
of production to point of con- 
sumption, irrespective of 
distance, — ? 
Cool storage isa benefit to mankind in 
that it allows of a greater variety of food 
during all seasons of the year. Health 
_ THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
and longevity are promoted by the free 
consumption of fruits, and the placing of 
fresh fruits at the disposal of even the 
poorest of our cit zens during every month 
in the year will certainly result in a whole- 
sale benefit to mankind, so far-reaching 
its effects as to be incalculable. It 
adds nothing to and subtracts nothing 
from the article preserved, not even the 
water, and in no material sense alters its 
quality. It causes no change of appear- 
ance or taste, but leaves the fruit sub- 
stantially in its original condition, while 
it renders it neither less nutritious nor 
less diyestible. 
If the right system is installed and it is 
properly handled, coolstorage will produce 
some remarkable results 
in 
in the pre- 
servation of perishable preducts. It must 
not be expected, however, that the 
quality and condition of the goods are 
improved by storage. Cool s‘orage does 
not insure against natural deterioration. 
Goods for cool storage must be in prime 
November 1, 1909 
[PHOTO. 
condition and selected by an experienced 
person if it is expected to carry them to- 
A cool 
storage house successfully operated and: 
managed will supply a uniform tem- 
perature at the proper degree throughout 
the storage season. It will regulate the- 
humidity at the proper point and will. 
supply fresh air properly treated to force 
out the accumulated gates. 
the limit of their possible life. 
The storing 
of unsuitable, imperfect and inferior 
goods has led to much misunderstanding: 
between the man who stores the goods and. 
the cool storage manager. Both should, if 
possible, be familiar with the condition 
of the goods they are handling, the- 
different stages of ripeness, quality and 
liability to deterioration. Cool storage 
cannot improve the physical condition of 
perishable goods and is in no way respon-. 
sible for damage or decay which may arise- 
from improper picking, grading, packing, 
or handling before placing in the storage 
house. If these things are properly: 
