The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-29

USE OF cold STORAeE UR6El
Warrington Expert Tells How
to Handle Apples.
Storage Would Eliminate Dan.
ger Of Flooding Market.

washington, ~. u, sept. ZS.-1n
view Of the interference with the Eu-
ropean market and the large produc-
ton Of American apples this season.
specialists OF the, department OF agri-
culture call the attention Of apple
growers to the advantages Of cold
storage for steadying the market at
harvest and for lenSthening the selling
period.
Glutt.-g Of the market will result,
it is feared. in many thousands of
bal Of good apples rotting in the
orchard or being disposed OF at prices
which figure a net loss to the grower.
The following are the directions Civ
en- by the apple handling specialists
Of the department for using cold stor-
age successfully in handling apples:
The proper function of cold storage
is to retard the rtpening processes of
the fruit and the development Of de-
cay organisms and skin blemishes.
The first responsibility for the keep
ing quality OF his fruit rests with the
grower since 1t IL his growing and
handling methods that largely deter
mine its vitality, freedom from dis
ease and general condition when
stored.
The first step in successful cold
storage Of apples has been found to
lie in the practice OF such cultural,
spraying and pruning methods as in
sure production of sound, healthy.
well colored fruit. free from disease.
Assuming this as the first requisite.
the following factors have been found
to most influence the keeping quality
of the fruit, and furnish best condi
tions for long storage: Proper ma
turity at time Of picking. care In all
handling operations. prompt storage
after picking, and a proper storage
temperature.
Maturity Tests.
Careful and extensive Investigations
have demonstrated that fruit picked
at full maturity can be held for q
longer period in storage, and is less
affected by scald and decay than that
picked when somewhat immature.
There is no doubt that several thou
sand dollars are lost to the industry
each year through the improper pick
ing Of these two varieties alone. The
care and attention should be paid to
this detail Of the harvesting opera
tons than is usually the case.
Careful Handling.
Care lin 1lk handling operations is
the second important requisite OF Sue
cessful storage. Microscopic bruises
and bl AXIS in the skin are large
enough TO anOrO entrance 10 the
spores OF fungi and the necessity for
the utmost care in all operations con-
nected with the handling Of the fruit
to avoid bruising and mechanical in
turies is more urgent than most grow
ers realize.
Prompt Storage.
There il a marked difference in con-
dition between fruit stored promptly
after picking. say not more than two
days later, and otherwise comparable
lots delayed ten days or two weeks.
Such delay is especially injurious dur
ing a period of warm. humid weather.
The delayed fruit at withdrawal from
storage il ripper, yellower and duller
than the corresponding Immediate"
stored fruit and in addition develops
more serious scald and decay. The
importance Of eliminating all avoid
able delay in storing cannot be too
strongly emphasized.
Apples should be withdrawn from
storage while still firm, and in this
condition can be held on the market
in satisfactory shape for several days
or weeks.