Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1954-07-29


A question probably asked by
every prospective buyer of a
home freezer is, (Which is more
economical to operate, a large or
a small freezer"
eff you figure the operating
cost on the basis of the cubic.
foot capacity the larger size
home freezer has the advantage
over the smaller freezer" says
A. V. KreWatch, University Of
Maryland Extension agricultural
engineer
Krewatch adds that operating
costs vary depending on such
factors as size and design of the
freezer, capacity of the compress
sor and the location of the freez-
er. And, of course, the local cleo
trio rate must also be considered.
The extension engineer says
that it takes about one-tenth of
a kilowatt hour of electrical en-
ergy to freeze a pound of food
and lower it's temperature to zero
degrees.
He points out that it is not adj
visable to put too great a guam
tity of warm material in freez-
er because it will freeze to slow
ly. "UnleSS the freezer is designed
with large enough compressor
to freeze quantities of warm ma
terial, not more than IL to 2
pounds of fruit or vegetables for
each cubic foot of size should be
placed in the cabinet for freezing
at one time"
A study made at the Indiana
Experiment Station showed that
freeZers located in heated areas
used from II to II percent more
electricity than those located in
unheated areas. It was noted that
the increase in use of electricity
in heated areas was greatest for
the smaller freeZerS.
Studies on freezer operation al
so indicate that the usual amount
of opening and closing of freezer
doors has no significant effect on
the amount of electricity used.
The amount of warm air enter
ing the freezer while the doors
are open is small, particularly if
the freezer is well stocked. Even
in an upright freezer excessive
opening of the door will not in
crease the use of electricity to
great extent, but frosting of the
shelves will occur faster and an
occasional scraping out of the
frost is recommended.
NATIONAL NOTES
Cash grain markets were mix
ed during the week ended July
%, the Department of Agriculture
reported. Fair, warm weather
across the northern portion of
the country, particularly in the
northern interior, stimulated ma
terially and favorably the harvest
ing of small grains. The recent
hot weather was favorable for
checking rust damage in the
spring wheat area; however, the
durum wheat is heavily rusted
and severe damage is expected.
Winter wheat prices declined 2
to a cents per bushel at most
markets. Ordinary protein spring
wheat prices declined to 2 cents
per bushel while higher protein
types dropped 9 to II cents per
bushel. Durum wheat prices ad-
vanced ID cents per bushel. Rye
prices declined 5 to 6 cents per
bushel. Corn prices advanced dur
ing the week due to the dry, hot
weather and were mostly l to A
cents per bushel above a week
ago. Oats prices were mostly I'M
changed to l cent per bushel
higher while barley prices de-
clined 6 to Z cents at Kansas City
and 2 to cents at Minneapolis.
Grain sorghum prices advanced
5 to 10 cents per hundred weight
with demand good for light offer
ings. Oilseed prices were mixed.
Soybeans advanced sharply early
in the week but with reports of
rain prices declined and closed
IS to 25 cents per bushel below
a week ago. Flaxseed prices adj
vanced 5 cents per bushel reflect
ing the limited offerings.
Feed markets strengthened dur
ing the week ended July 20 and
prices of most feedstuffS adj
vanced, the Department of Agri-
culture reported. Hot, dry wealth
er caused further deterioration of
pastures and feed grain crops in
many areas. Formula feed manu-
facturer and feeder demand was
more active, but most buying was
held to nearby needs. Oilseed
meal markets strengthened. Soy
a. From where