The Lynden tribune. [volume] (Lynden, Wash.) 1908-current, 1915-07-08
DESCRIBE U. S.
BERRY TESTS

'~~-Nos~Ab ~ W. July o.
raspberries were carefully handled
they could be satisfactorily shipped
much farther than the distance
which is now regarded as the limit
Tor successful marketing, according
to recent Investigations of the Unit
ed States Department of Agricul-
ture. In the important raspberry
districts In the Puget Sound country
1000 miles has hitherto been re-
garded as the most distant market
to which berries could be shipped.
In practice this means that fresh
Washington raspberries do not come
farther east than Minneapolis and
that the surplus, II utilized at all,
must be canned. Government ex-
periments, however, the results Of
which is now published in Bulletin
No. 274, indicate that with more
careful methods of handling and
shipping the Washington crop of
fresh berries could be sold over
much wider range of territory.
The most common causes of decay
in berries while in transit or after
arrival on the market are mold
fungi, usually gray mold or blue
mold. Neither of these fungi is
likely to injure firm. sound berries
but they spread quickly where the
fruit has been injured in handling
or Is overripe and soft.
In 1911 the Government investi-
gators made comparative tests of
the keeping qualities of carefully
handled raspberries and commercial
ly handled raspberries. Several
lots of each kind were held In an
ice car for varying periods and then
examined for the percentage Of de-
cay. Other lots were held day af-
ter being withdrawn from the re-
frigerator car and then examined.
After days in the ice car 1t was
found that the carefully handled
berries showed only O.4 per cent
decay, while the commercially hand
led fruit had 4.6 per cent. After 8
days in the car the difference was
vastly greater. The carefully hand
led fruit showed only 2.2 per cent
decay. but with the commercially
handled this percentage had risen
to 26.7, or. more than Y Of the en-
tire shipment. When the fruit was
examine~a day after 1t had beer
taken out Of the ice car, the evi-
dence was equally strong in favor OF
careful handling. Carefully handled
fruit that had remained 4 days In
the car was found day after It's
Withdraw wal to show only l per cent
of decay against IT'S per cent IN
commercially handled berries. Care
fully handled fruit left in the car
8 days, and then held one day
showed only 81 per cent OF decay
as against 47.6 per cent In COM
mercfally handled fruit.
The following year experiments
we're made with actual shipments
instead of with the stationary re-
frigerator car. and the results con-
firmed previous conclusions. 1t was
found. for example, that there was
less decay in the carefully handled
berries at the end Of days than
in the commercially handled per
ries at the end OF 4. Careluiiy
handled fruit that was days il
transit. and had then been held one
day after withdrawal from the re-
frigerator car showed less than !
per cent Of decay, whereas commer-
cially handled berries subjected 10
the same test showed nearly 10 per
cent.
Tho difference between the care
fully handled and the commercially
handled. lots of berries cohsis's
chiefly in extra care In picking, ana
in the scrupulous exclusion OF any
soft. overripe berries. Ordihari'y
tho nicking is done by unskilled Ia
bor. children being frequently en-
nloved In this way. 1t is. OF course
extremely difficult to make 'nen'
realize the necessity for care Ou'
the comparative success OF certain
growers in keeping down their ioss-
a. shows that much improvement IN
th,s respect is possible. The most
common injuries to the berries are
due to their being broken anu
bruised while being removed from
tho bushes or being mashed IN the
hand while picking. II the berries
ara pulled with three fingers IN
stead of two, and pulled off straien'
instead of sidewise, much ioss can
be avoided.
Another cause for decay is the
inclusion in shipments OF overripe
berries. Because OF the danger -
injury in sorting 1t is not poss,u'e
70 grade the berries after they nave
once been picked and placed in the
cuns. The pickers, therefore mus,
no instructed to pick only souhe
herries. II the patches are picAeu
over once a day 1t Is mncn easiel
IN enforce this rule. II they , W..
left unpicked two or three DAYS
,sare .s.. will be such large proper
.,on of overripe berries that some
w. ~ .nsm will inevitably find their
wav into the cups intended ior lons
distance ~s, shipments. A soft perry
will not only soon break down anu
decay itself but by offering an a', op,
.,.n,tv for mold to develop Will
IN the decay OF the GU