CIHM ICMH Microfiche Collection de Series microfiches ({Monographs) (monographies) Canadian Institute for Historical MIcroraproductions / Institut Canadian da microraproductions historiquas Technical and Bibliographic Notes / Notes techniques et bibllographiques The InstitLite has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographicaliy unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming are checked below. D Coloured covers / Couverture de couleur □ Covers damaged / Couverture endommagde □ Covers restored and/or laminated / Couverture restaur^ et/ou pellicul6e Cover title missing / Le titre de couverture manque I Coloured maps / Cartes g^raphiques en couleur □ Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black) / Encre de couleur (i.e. autre aue bleiiA nu nnir ^ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) Coloured plates and/or illustrations / Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur I I Bound with other material / D D a n Relj^ avec d'autres documents Only edition available / St jle Edition disponible Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin / L^ reliure serr6e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distorsion le long de la marge int^rieure. Blank leaves added during restorations may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming / II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutdes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6\6 film^es. Additional comments / Commentaires suppldmentaires: L'Institut a microfilm^ le mellleur exemplaire qu'll lul a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exem- plaire qui sont peut-dtre unk^ues du point de vue bibli- ographlque, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modifteation dans la m6tho- de normale de filmage sont indk^ute ci-dessous. I \ Cotoured pages/ Pages de couleur I I Pages damaged / Pages endommagtes □ Pages restored and/or laminated / Pages restaurtes et/ou pellteul^s 0 Pages discoloured, stained or foxed / Pages d^colordes, tachettes ou pkjutes I I Pages detached / Pages d6tach6es [•I Showthrough/ Transparence □ Quality of print varies / Quality inhale de I'impression Includes supplementary material / Comprend du materiel suppl^mentaire Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image / Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6\6 film^s k nouveau de fa^on k obtenir la meilleure image possible. Opposing pages with varying colouration or discolourations are filmed twice to ensure the best possible image / Les pages s'opposant ayant des colorations variables ou des decolorations sont filmtes deux fois afin d'obtenir la meilleure Image possible. n This Ham is flIiMd M tht radueUon ratio chaekad below / Co documont oot film* au taux do rMuction Indiqu* ei-daaaoua. lOx 14x 18x 22x 26x 30x / 12x ISx 20x 24x 28x flTv Th« copy filmed h«r« hM b««n raproducad thank* to tha ganaroaity of: Library Agrieulturt Canada Tha imagas appaaring hara ara tha bast quality poaaibia conr' >«ring tha condition and iagibiiity of tha original copy and in Icaaping with tha filming contract spaeificationa. Original copias in printad papar covars ara filmad beginning with tha front covar and anding on tha last paga with a printad or illustratad impras- sion, or tha back covar whan appropriate. All othar original copiaa ara filmad beginning on tha first paga with a printad or illustratad impras- sion, and anding on tha last paga with a printad or illustratad impression. The last racorc*^ frame on each microfiche shall contain tha symbol -^ (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or tha symbol y (meaning "END"), whichever appliae. IMapa. plates, charts, etc.. may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right end top to bottom, aa many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: L'exemplaire filmA fut reproduit grice k la gtnirositA de: BIMiothiqM Agrlcultwrt Canada Les images suh^antea ont ttt reproduites avac la plus grand soin. compta tenu de la condition at de la nettet* de l'exemplaire filmi. et en conformity avac les conditions du contrat de filmage. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprim4e sont filmte en commenpant par la premier plat et en terminant soit par la derniire page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou dlllustration. soit par la second plat, salon la caa. Toua les sutres exemplaires originaux sont filmte an commenpant par la premi4re page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la derniire pege qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un dea symboiaa suhrants apparattra sur la demiire image de chaque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols — ► signifie "A SUiVRE". le symbols ▼ signifie "FIN". Les cartaa. planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmte i dee taux de rMuction difftrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour ttra reproduit en un seul clichA, 11 est filmt A partir de Tangle supAriaur gauche, de gauche A droKe. et de haut an bas. en prenant le nombre d'imagea nicessaire. Lee diegrammas suivants illustrent la mAthode. 12 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 MKROCOrr MMIUTION TBT OMIT (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) |2. 1 y^ m 1^ 1 12.2 ■ti |3^ 1 mm ■It III L£ 1 2.0 1 1.8 ^4 1. ^s^^s mils 1.6 /APPLIED }MA3E In 1653 Cott Muin Street Rochester. New Yorti U609 USA (716) 482 - 0300 - Phone (716) 268-5989 - Fa« DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DAIRY AND GOLD STORAGE BRANCH OTTAWA - . - CANADA PRECOOLING, SHIPMENT AND COLD STORAGE OF TENDER FRDIT With Notes on Packing and Packages BT EDWnr SXITH, B.80. A88I8TE]) BT 7. M. CBEBIKAH, B.S.A. The GriiTBby Precooling and ExperimenUl Fruit SturaKe Warehouie. BULLETIN 48-DAIRY AND COLD STORAGE SERIES Publiahad by authority af Hen. MARTIN BURRELL, MInlttar of Agrieultur*. Ottawa, Ont 92764—1 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. Ottawa, February 21. 1310. To the Honourable. The Minister of Agriculture. Sm, — I beg to submit for your approval the manuscript for a bulletin giving the results of two years' work at the Grimsby Precooling and Experimental Fruit Storage Warehouse, which has been prepared under my direction by Edwin Smith, B.Sc, who is in charge, assisted by J. M. Greclman, B.S.A. Mr. Smith has, by his devotion to the work, his excellent training and keen grasp of essentials, collected a large amount of data during the past two years, which must prove to be useful information to fruit growers, shippers and dealers. He has been ably assisted since the beginning of the season of 1915 by Mr. Creelman, who had previously gained valuable experience, in British Columbia and in California, along similar lines of investigation. Mention sftiould also be made of those fruit growers and shippers in the Niagara district whose hearty co-operation has been a great help in extending the scope of the work. I have the honour to recommend that the manuscript be printed for circulation as Bulletin 48 of the Dairy at:d Cold Storage Series. T '■ave the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant, .T. A. RUDDICK. Dairy and Cold Storage Comnsiuioitr. 92764—2 TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page. Scope or WoiiK ' Flu -OOUKO IsVMTMUTlOliS 7 Str»wberrie« "^ Precoolinff Strawberries ** Red and Black Raapberrieit • • Cherriet •* * Plum. J® Peacues ^^ Pear* ]l Tomatoee *? Gooseberries 12 Black Currant* ]l 12 12 12 13 13 Red Currants Cucumbers ;* Sweet Com Celery Apples Matibitt of Fruits fob Pbecooled Shipmkxts Strawberries Cherriep ** Plums 1* Peaches ]* Tomatoes '* Effect of Usi-su Low Tempebatuses fob Pbecoo'.iX(; 1* Strawberries 1* Sweet Cherries '* Sour Cherries ^* I ^s 1« Peat les '^ Tomatoes ^" Rate of Coolixo ^ • Frut Package Tests • • • 1* Strawberry Package Tests 1* Ottawa Shipments 1" Winnipeg Shipments 20 Cherry Package Tests 22 Packages Tested 22 Cherry Packages adapted to Car Loading 23 Peach Package Tests 24 The Northwest Standard Box 26 The Woolverton Crate 26 The Hunter Crate ^'^ The Michiean Bushel Basket 27 Peach Packages adapted to Car Loadinp 27 92T64— 2i Page. Tiw Um or A Low Pkbckntaoi or Salt with CaufUBD Iob in Bwse Task Cam. M 00U> 8T0BAOK INVMTWATIOSS * StMwberriM *^ BUck CurranU '» Red CurrmnU '* Ooowberrie* '* Ohenrie. »J PluiM " FMkchet '! Pe«w ^l «»P« « Tomatoes ^" Oneumben PRECOflUNG SHIPMENT AND COLD STORAGE OF TENDER FRUITS WITH NOTES 051 PUCKlMi kSIt PICMES. BY EPWIX SMITH. B.Sc. ASSISTED BY J. M. CHFXI.MAN, B S.A. SCOPE OF WOUK. The work at the Grimsby PrcooolinK nud Experimental Fn.it Storage Warehou- '"* '^'^;i^Ji:ril .ora^e a„d th- precooli.. of frnit.for the ^^^^j;^ (2) Dcraonstrations in fruit han.Uinif. parkins, pr. lue an.l trauMXTtation. and (3) Experimental refrigeration tests. • , j fi„„i ,„..., are Under the first division, the work \» strictly commerc.al; and fixcnl rate» are charged for services rendered. Precooling of carlot, is usually -<^.»»'7J":^^;r LuarfcVr with a tendency towards softness, and were packed in the Ontario .S4-quart crates. They we«pS June 28, shipped by refrigerated express on the 29th. and were ^Id July 2 ra slow and overcrowded market. The berries arrived m Winnipeg without Sy but owing to the unsuitability of the crate and their condition when pK ^ 7 they were unattractive and sold at a low price. From an economic standpoint the ■hipment was a failure, although the physical condition of the berries makes it a success as far as precooling is concerned, so that further trials i.re to be made. PRECOOLIKG STRAWBERRIES FOR OBniSARY EXPRESS SHIPMENTS — SEASON' OF 1915. While it is known that low temperatures eflfectively check the ripening process of fruit, and that precooling is of distinct advantage when shipping in refrigerator can, the problem of precooling for ordinary express shipments is still open for further invfwticution. Although precooling retards the ripening of fruit, injury is also liable to follow excessive condensation which causes the germination of mould spores and decay when cold fruit is removed from the cooling room to the warm atmosphere of the express car. The experience of some commercial shippers indicates that precojling for ordinary expres.s shipments is of some advantage. A series of tests conducted by the senior author in 191.3 for the British Columbia Department of Agriculture showed that strawberries cooled 5 degrees below the average temperature of the express car carried better than those shipped direct from the field. This work also showed that cooling more than five degrees was of no advantage, and further cooling resulted in greater loss than no cooling at all. To secure more information on this point a series of tests was started at Grimsby in 1915, shipping strawberries from Vineland to Ottawa. Ont. Five tests were made using the Williams variety. The fruit was picked at Vineland, packed in the twenty- four t-quart Ontario crate and shipped by express in the afternoon. One crate each day was shipped direct to Ottawa without cooling. Three other crates picked at the same time from the same field were sent to the precooling warehouse at Orimsby. One crate was cooled to approximately 60° F. ; one to 50° F, and one to 40° F. These were shipped the following day. It will be seen that in order to cool the fruit it took twenty-four hours longer to reach the market than when shipment was made without cooling. The fruit was received at the warehouse of C. E. Plain, Ltd., Ottawa, Ont!, and was inspected by Mr. C. W. Baxter, Chief Fruit Inspector for eastern Ontario. A summary of the results is given below and it indicates that no benefit was derived by precooling the strawberries and shipping the following day: — RESULTS. Te«t Nir. I 4 Not preeo()lf(i . . . I'rwixiled Per cent. OH 13 01) 17 Per crnt. 11 7 6 fi 1 7-7 The results given are averages of all shipments. The tempprnturos of the express cars, which ranged from 60° F. to 70° F. were secured by placing thermographs in the cars. Conclusion. There was no apparent benefit derired'from precooling in these ihipmentt. RED AND BLACK BASPBERRIES. As yet no successful shipments of preceded red raspberries have been made by refrigerated freight to western points, although several attempts have been under observation. When promptly cooled and held under refrigerator car temperatures in the experimental room, observations show that about three days is the limit of the life of the red raspberry at 40° F. Successful shipments have been made to Winnipeg by precooling the black raspberry and shipping by refrigerated freight. Being more firm than the red raspberry it remains at 40° F. for five days without serious mould growth. Raspberries grown in the Pacific Coast districts have better carrying qualities than those grown in the East, so that from those districts successful shipments arc being made requiring more than three days. Such shipments of Ontario lorries would not be practicable according to information thus far obtained. CHERRIES. Sour cherries have responded most favourably to precooling. During 1914 a car- load of Montmorencies was purchased, preceded and shipped to Winnipeg as a demon- stration shipment. The excellent condition of the precooled cherries upon arrival in Winnipeg sold them for 60 cents per 6-quart basket, whereas ordinary shipments were selling in the same market for 38 to 42 cents. While the experimental shipment in 1914 showed clearly what might be done by precooling and shipping the Montmorency cherry to the northwest, there were still some misgivings about the Early Richmond, which is reputed to have poorer carrying qualities than the Montmorency. It was decided therefore to make a test shipment with this variety, similar to that made with the Montmorency in 1914. The depart- ment piirobased half a carload, the other half being made up by the Grimsby Fruit Growers, I td., and the Winona Fruit Growers, Ltd. One phase of the test related to packages best adapted to sour cherries. Those used were the British Columbia 4-bflsket crate (warehouse pack), and the 6-qunrt basket (warehouse pack) and the 6-quart basket, orchard pack. In order to teach green packers how to pack the BvitiSh Columbia 4-basket crate, it was necessary to use fruit picked on two days, July 2 and 3. The fruit was cooled over Sunday and despatched by refrigerator freight on the morning of July 6. The bunkers received but four tons of ice in transit. The car arrived in Winnipeg during the night of Sunday, July 11, and was not openedfor distribution until Monday, July 12. It will be seen that the Early Richmond cherries were given a transportation test of ten days from time of picking. The junior author was in Winnipeg to make an accurate inspection, and he reported the shipment to be in prime market condition upon arrival. The fruit sold readily at 60 cents for the 6-quart basket and $1.50 for the 4-basket crates. (The British Columbia 4-basket crate hold- about 20 pounds of cherries as against about 8 pounds in a 6-quart basket.) No difference was found between the two pickings on different days. The fruit was in as good a market condition a* were the Mont- morencies in 1914. There is much doubt among fruit growers as to the " holding quality " of pre- cooled fruit after removal from the refrigerator car. Especially has the inquiry come to us as to whether precooled cherries would stand resbipment by express after the refrigerator car had been opened at the larger distributing points in the prairie provinces. To test this out in a practical manner Mr. Creelman reshipped by express from Winnipeg to Brandon a half-dozen 6-quart baskets and four 4-basket crates, and inspected them in Brandon, Tuesday, July 13. The fruit was found to arrive in splendid market condition, and sold in Brandon for 75 cents per 6-quart basket and $1.26 per 4-basket crate. A minute inspection after resbipment showed considerable ■ so more actual waste in the fruit than there was upon withdrawal from the refr'gerator car in Winnipeg, but this was not great enough to detract much from the maricet condition. Conduioiu. In emphaiising the importance of the length of time elapiing in this test between the picki^ and the diitribntion of the cherries (ten days), it mntt be borne in mind that the actual time of the car between Orinuby, Ont., and Winni- Ipeg, Man., was only Are and one-half days, the rest of the time being required for repacking, precooling, and holding over two Sundays. The test shows that Ontario sour cherries nuy be successfully marketed by refrigerator freight in Edmonton, Alta., since transportation companies hare promised a ninety despatch to that city. Furthermore, tiie Brandon reshipment test shows the possibility of distributing Ontario Early Bichmond cherries to points in Alberta as remote as Athabaska Landing. Cherries that have been picked for ten days, even though they have been under refrigeration will not stand up as well as freshly-picked fruit. Kipening processes take place slowly under refrigeration and thus the vitality of the fruit is gradually lowered day by day. However, cherries will not perish imme .lately upon withtoiwal from refrigeration, and if tiiey have not been tinder refrigeration for more than eight or ten days mcst varieties will stand up long enough for marketing. Upon first withdrawal from the refrigerator oar there is a rapid condensation of moisture upon the surface of the fruit (not so heavy on the prairies as in the east on account of the low relative humidity of the air in the west). This gradually disappears, but the moisture has promoted the germination of mould spores. During the day of unloading and distribution, the cherries remain in good condition without much sign of change. After twenty-four hours from the car, or on the following morning the fruit will appear in as good a condition, but upon careful examination will diow discoloured spots, especially where it has been bruised. After thirty-six hours the discoloured spots start to show decay which begins to be serious after two days from the car unless kept in cold storage. It has been shown that sweet cherries may also be precooled and shipped by refrigerated freight to western markets. Included in the experimental car in 1915 were the following packages containing Black Tartarian cherries: Two S84 l-quart hallock strawberry crates, Two 2i full-pint hallock strawberry crates, and Two 4-basket orates. The cherries arrived in excellent condition and sold well. The twenty-four l-quart hallock crates sold for $4 each, and the twenty-four full-<-ii limited to the season of Iftl.".. The tirst shipment was made to Boissevain, Man., by rcfrigeratetl freiglit and con- sisted of the Yellow St. John variety, which is one of the more tender shippers of the yellow-fleshed ix^a.-hes. The fruit was packed in the northwest standard box and was precooled to 40° F. The car was eight days in transit, and the fruit arrived at its destination in splendid condition and was sold profitably without the loss ot other shipments f.dlowi^l to Wimupeg and Brandon. The farthest western ship- ment was made to Prince Albert. Sask. On all shipments where peaches were brought to the warehouse in a satisfactory condition, the test n^iilts follow.^!, the peo.-hes arriving in very good condition. ^, t . x- i, i iri:*.., F.a.stem shipments were made to Montreal. Que.. St. .lohii. VB.. and Ilalilux NS.. with equallv satisfactory results. Through the courtesy of the (.rimsbyl- ri.it Orowers Ltd.. one lot of fifteen nothwest stau.lanl Ix.xes of Elbertas. packed iii tlie ordinary commercial manner, was shipptnl to (Jlasgow. Scotland. The shipment arrived in good condition after being in transit fourteen days, and sold at retail tor 4d. to 6d. each. , , ^ ^ , Two cars of fruit, including iieaches, were purchase >1MI'M1'.\1 c Pi- 1-1(1 iM l-lil 1< II 1 -1\ 11 \S ~ -i\».i-> > tv Kii'i.\i->^. .ll--\\l\'<^ ^1 1< \.Viu-:ui 111- M.\ll KIIS I-OK :kkii-> MATIKITV OK I-KIITS lOU IM.„ i..„„ y^n In connection with our experiments in fruit precoolmg maturity teste have been made to determine the proper degree of maturity at which fruits should be picked for pr;|^^«^ cussion " mature » fruit will be referred to as being ready for picking, ^P« J™» as that being fit for eating; immature fruit will be referred to as gr^ ; whereas "medium ripe" will indicate that the fruit is undergoing the last of the ripening Iirocet^seti. l.iit is not yet tit for eating on account of its firmness. STRAWBERRIES. Strawberries will colour under ordinary ventilated shipment. They may be picked with ittlTcolour and yet advance in colour sufficiently before reaching the market. SL refrigeration (40» F. or less) the colour of strawberries advances very slowly i. that when they are to be precooled before shipment they should be allowed to develop more coTou" than for ventilated or ordinary refrigerated shipment without preeool.ng Twhich case the fruit is at a comparatively high temperature for from twenty-four to fortv-cight hours after loading in the cars. • «„ 1 ™ pnloured Tests have shown that the "medium ripe stage » shown in fig. 1, ««« ^^J^^'^ nlate or in the central clusters in fig. 2, coloured plate, is the proper degree of maturity or a pi^cooled refrigerated shipment of from four to six days For a four- Tv si pnent «^thout precooliuir. the berries should have n .olour similar to that ot he be rTes L"he clusers at the left of fig. 2, coloured plate. Strawberries may be nicked at very nearly the ripe stage for nearby local markets, but when this stage is a lowed to advance too far, pickers are apt to include soft fruit, which will not stand package Pr^sure. The riper the berries at the time of picking, the better will be the '""'strat£rri*e7'should not be picked for refrigeration at the green stage, as upon removal they will deteriorate before advancing in colour. It is also noticeable that when grccn-picke.1 strawberries are hn-.l under r.frigeration tlu-y .l.j<.oh,nr who.ever they are bruised or are touching. This discolouration is evident ... tho bottom box in ''■ I'nIeTelntg -the maturity of a strawberry for a precooled shipment, much depends upon the texture and solidity of the fruit. Berries which are very firm and hafe that rubbery touch and bright sh«>n that arc always ^^^dicat-^c oi good carrying quali^. may be picked at a ripe stage, and still stand a precooled shipment of three Ts Since pickers are not able to discriminate carefully as to t^^'*"- -d/,^-;^^ it Is always safest to use colour as a standard, and have them picked at the medium stage for distance shipments. fl2764— 3J 14 When u»iiijt oulour hs the i-hief iiidicntioii iif the iiro|)or iledi**" "f maturity, u irrcat deal depends upon thn variety of »trawh«>rri»'S. The i-oloiir shown in the medium ripe Glen Ifary in lift. '2 wil not be attaints! by the Williams. Ooix) jndKment and a knowledge of the ninnner of ripeninK of the variety in question are alway'* necessary to determine the proper deRreo of ripeiie** fur any partieular shipment. ClltRHIKS. For preeooled shipment, sour eherries should remain on the tree till well eoloured, but should Iw picked while firm. Suc«-essful shipments of ri|ie Mont- morencies have been made to Winni|>efr l>y n'fri(ferat«'d freight. When allowe pickctl us >tre«>u iis is shown in the right of fig. 4, as tiiey never attain a good colour, are iindcr-develo|ie«l, and are always lacking in quality. The riiH' stage of maturity shows discolouration ami decay much sooner than either of the other stages, hence should not be used in preeooled shipments of over four days. The nie Brandon, Man., and remained in good market condition for four or tive days after removal. Cou8ooliug. the flesh is apt to become mealy before shipment. A medium ripeness wherein the green ground colour is starting to turn to a yellow tinge is best. In the case of a white fleshed peach, picking should take place when the ground coloiir is losing its deep green shade. Peaches advance in colour but slowly while \iiider refrigeration. I'ikui removal from st<>ragc tliey i-outiniie to advance in colour, this lieiug more evident with the ground colour of the skin than it is with the red blush. TOMATOKS. Jt is essential to tlu- successful shiinnent of prec-oolcd ti>mato<'s that the proix^v degree of maturity l>e secured at the time of picking. Tf ]>icked too green, the tomatoes have a pale unattractive appearance on the market: if left until too ripe the fruit becomea Si>ft. will not wibhstatiJ the pai-kaf»e press i.tc. starts to decay, and wil! be " leaking" through the package Ix^fore the market is reached. Our experience tluis far has shown •' at for a pre<'ooIed shipment of seven days the tomato should be allowed 19 to ripen till nearly a full red. but must U' picked while ver>' firm. TomatiieK Hhowiiift wift -iiKits or rraeks -"liould not Ix- ineliidi'd. 'With the shipment of nn.v fruit, the deun-e of maturity at whii-h it \* to 1* picket! m.i8t Ik" (k'terniiiied ac<'ordiiiB to the manner and distance of shipment. iwyinK special attention to whether it i* to lie precooled. sliipp«>^ F. (a refrigerator ••ar temperature) and two at •Ii" ¥. One lot in each tem|H-rature was cooie' F Avi*rafrf p«?n»'nlapf of waste. Cooled rapidly. < 'oolea slowly. 11 52 per Cf-nt. 10 71 per cent 18 lil ' 2108 Xo injury wi.s found to result from nipiil ling. 1« Sour Clierriei. Air t«mperatur(>» from 17' F. to 20' F, wore ugcd for rapid cooling. H«lri ton d»ya itt K' V HpM ton daya at IO* K. AventKi* prmntuip- nf waitc. Cn>l<^ •lowly. C<>>t«H rapKlly. •> 67 uer cent. loot B 41 iier cwnt. 12 73 No inji:r.v wn* found to rcitiilt from t . rapid cooling. I'lumii. Air temporatiiri's from 10' F. to 20' F. were used for rapid oooliii« with the ItLTgvT part at IH'F. HeM t«n d»y< *t ST K Hnld ten day* »t 40° F. Avtrace |j«rf«iitaKr u( H«iit<-. Cuolod rapidly. 6 fiO percent. 27S1» Oiolad Hlowly. 6 98 p<*r cvnt. 24 70 \o mariied iiijiir.v was found to result from tiie rapid c' at «t ¥ Avcragf' imcvnUffr i>f wiwtf. CioImI r«|>idly. 4'5S ptwly. 5 9ft [wr ifiit. When held in sturago ut low ti-ni|MTUtiiri'< i !l''' F.-;M)° F.) thf tumiitci bus u ten- dency to shrink and to iH-confo soft. It is pu^^iible that under extremely low cuolinK temperatures the same effect would tend tr result, although from these observations no marked injury whs olwrvrd from eiMtlini; toniatiios rapiilly and it wmild not "i-cni a dangerous practice if moderately low temperatures were used. RATE OF COOLING. To cool cherries iii 6-quart baskets from 05' F. to 42° F. with an air temperature of 40° F., rca ' F. roc|uire-quurt baski'ts frcini 7-'! F. hi 42 F. using uu uir ti'ni|icnitiiro of 40° F. required ten hours; using un uir tcuipcrutun- of :V2' F. ri'tiuircd sen-n hours; using an air temperature of 16° T. required 4i hours. To cool wrapped peaches, in boxes, from 67° F. to 42° F., using an air tempera- ture of 12° F., required five hours; in ll-quart baskets, 4* hours; and in fi-quart baskets, 3} hours. Conclusions. From observations over two Masons it is evident that moderately low tempera- tures (12° F.-20° F.) may be used with most of the tender fruiti fpowa in Canada without apparent injury to them either for storagre at 32° F. or for refrigerated shipments at 40° F. At the same time it is to be noted that no marked benefits in regard to the storage or the carriage of the fruit were apparent when it was chilled rapidly during a period of five or six hours, compared with the more gradual cooling required from eighteen to twenty-four hours. The two great advantages of rapid cooling are :— (a) To facilitate receiving and shipping at the precooling plant, and (b) To start .the cars rolling earlier, thus giving a longer period and greater radius for shipping. Basket fruit when surrounded with an air temperature of from 38° F. to 40° F. requires from eighteen to twenty-six hours for cooling from 70° F. to 40° F., when surrounded with an air temperature ox 12° F. to 16° F. requires from four to five hours for cooling. It FRriT PACKAOE TESTS. I ' I I MTKAWBEMV PM'KAliK TEHT. Tlii» ti-« wu» niiiili- to (Ifttriiiiiu* tin- n-lntivc <-urr>'in(i: «ii- puckufft's : t<> 'h-nmnKtrHte careful pui-kinir in Ontario, anil t<> timi niitiii-' of improvinir the Ontario crate. The difference of opinion in British Columbia rcaard- inir the adoption of the full-pint iwckaire, anil the uiiivemal disiatisfaction in Ontario with their iiriwiit criiti', were tin- imnieiliHte niotiven that prompted the work. At the present time the Hritixh Culiimbin twenf.v-four l-quiirt cniti' thiit hii- ld State*. The {-quart halloek «i>ntainM .'>.'>.."> ruliie inehex. The twi> imikaBe* wll for nearly the name prii-e on the market. The present strawWrj- crate in ..tte in th» .Niagara district ix mi constructetl that the separators lioldinir thi- tiers of hullock^' apart rest on the fruit instead of on the irate «'> that the fruit in the l«>ttom tiers supimrts the weifrht of the top tiers. It i* impo, .ibie to puck the hallis-ks full without injury to the two lower tiers. In makinir the ti-st. fruit was secured at Vineland. Ontario. Ordinary express shipments were made to Ottawa, and .'friKcnitiil express shipments to Winnipejr. The Williams variety was used and the followinir [Mckaffes were tested: — Ontario twenty-four l-ipiart crate, field packed. British Columbia twenty-four J-i|uart cratt-. field packed. British Columbia twenty-four full-pint crate, fiekl peckeil. British Columbia twenty-four l-cpiart crati-. carefully packet!. British Columbia twenty-four full-pint crate, carefully packed. The term " field picked " indicate*" that the crate was commercially picked and that 1.1. paekiujr was d( ne after hiivinp the pickers other than to level off the toi>s of flic hallocks. this ln'iuK the cnstonuirv nuniner of harvestintr strawlierries in the Niagara district. The '• cnrcfwUy (.ack.Kl " lots were taki ii ».. the piickinit shed and .arefiilly tone over to remove cull b«'rries. jwckiuK the iirinie fruit with the top faced. This is the customary manner of jtackinfr strawberries in the Mission-TTatzic district of British Columbia. OTTAWA SIIIPMKXTS. Fi-e shipnunits on diflFerent days of encli lot (ixccptiup t)ie British Columbia tweiiTv-four ^-quart criifc. ciircf.iijh packed, whicli was jriven four shipments) were made Iiy orerccnt:-e bruised, mouldy, t.ital waste, ami market condition. Owinft to shipments (jointr astray or tieinir sold before inspec- tion coald be made, avera^res could not lie taken from five shipments. Averaires for summaries were taken only on sliipments of tlie same day for each comparative test. 1» I CMte. XTMAWMKUV fUTE Tt'T. (tnUrMi twfnly four Jqiwrt Britinh Giliiitibia ta-mlyfour < qiwrt . Britiah Coluinbia Iwvntyfout fitllixnt. Cuaalitiua in arrival at tttuwa. MiMildy. Injarfd. Total wart*. I Mariwt Valw. Per wnt. UN 0 <» It'll Pfr I'Mit. 29 :■ 13 5 M 5 Pi-rii-iit 11 0 II 00 Kair. fair totoid. «jfl Ut v«*ry ffutid. The Hriti.h f..liiinl.iii fw.nt.v-four full-pint .niti' .iirri.il tlir L-.t in evrry n This iwrkiw iilwii.v. hiiii thf hiill.H-k^ w.ll Hlli.I niiil in k<"h1 ■•..inliti.pu. STRVWHKHKV l>ArKIM: rKST IITTAW* SIIIPMKNTX. Cra>. Hritiith '.aiiniibiu ^-(jiurt . Britir'i Culiiiiitiia i-uuart Hritinh Ct'iuinbia full- 'nt Britiili Columbia fuh .nt Pai'kinf. Firlil i«ck. Cart fui (atck . FirM pack Carvf ul (Jack Cunilition im arrival at Otuwa. Mouldy. Pfr Wilt. 0 0 0 4 oil 0 0 iDjiirrd. IV r Cffil. 12 49 -i3 44 » 10 10 Nil Total waati-.l Markri Conditicm. Per wnt. 07 2 1 0 4 0 2 Fair. Fair tu R4iod. lidod ti» Vfry gnttd. Vi-ry (pod. Thi. Urri..* thiit w.>n- .-un-fully pm-ki-.! h.ul thi- lM.>t apiHiininc-... hut it U doubtful :1 It would pay to r^iMiok for easterii nwrkit*. Tlic ^riti^h C.hinil)!!! puckiiKis wint into ii iiinrk.t not u..ust..nii- their uw .111.1 soM Ht th. s«ni.. rati- as tin- Ontario pai-kaKi's. After niaki.ifr the insp..<.tion8 Mr Haxfer made tlie foHowiii}; statenu'iit :— '• In almost every ea-e where the 24-r|iiart ernte ^Ontario erate) is used, the top layer- of boxes are more or hss damajrinl when they reaeh destination. aetioally t!0 pi-r e.nt of the L'4-.iiiart erates are more or h->s damaged when they reaeh destination. "The British folunihia liailoik with tlie raised bottom is viewed with suspicion by eimsumers who term it a • faUe b .ttoiii ' iiiteii.le,! to deeeive— they are unacqiiaintcd with the paekage. " The very tiiiii veneer and whitewo.rt used in the British Columbia hnlloeks aiipears to be ver>- easily stained-the eolour spr-.ids qui.kly and spoils tlie apponr- Piiee. •• ("emeiit-eoited nails in covers are no? d.-siral.h^tlie wood bre-iks when the cover is beiiijr removed. ■•■What is known a^ the '27' and • Sli ' erate with movable eover and fastener se< ins to (five jri'iieral satisfaetion." Krom the j.ast season's investigations it would not seem advi.sable to advocate the adoption of the British ('..(iimbia p»ek;,fr,. f.r ^astern i,K,rket-. However tb. present Ontario erate is not suitable and should be modified at onee so as to jfive some of the safe earryinK advantntres of the British Columbia orate. Further tests will lie mode usinp other paekajre?. 10 WI-VNIPEC SHIPMENT. Ten British Columbia crates of strawberries were included in a private shipment by refrigerated express, the object being to lest the i-quart and the full-pint rrate as to carrying oualitics on long-distance shipments, and to compare careful packing with field packing at time of picking. The summary of results is the average taken from two of each type of package "hen carefully pncked and from three of each type when field packed. STRAWBERHV PACKING TEST — WIN'SIPEr. SHIPMENT. Package. Packing. BritiKh Columbia 1 quart Field i)«ck BritiHh Colunihia fnitiint Field |i»ck British Columbia j quart Careful pack. . . British Columbia full-pint Careful jiack. . Condition on arrival at Winnlpetr. -Mouldy. ' Total waste Market value. Per cent. 0 44 2 67 0.32 Per cent. 0 44 fi OJ 4 55 032 1 (imid. Fair. Fair. ,(i(KXl. i Remarks. — Careful packing gave the best market appenriinoe. Pint hallocks were filled better than the l-quarts. " Waste " did not figure so conspicuously as did the appearance. No great difference was to be seen in the condition of the fruit shipped in the different packages. The carefully packed strawberries had a very superior appearance to the field packed and it is advisable to pack carefully for this market so as to have shipments compare favourably with competing fruit from Hood River, Oregon. The outstanding feature of the shipment and with all other shipments made this season using the ?!-quart and full-pint crates was that the pint hallock arrives at destination full. There is no chance for the fruit to settle. In Winnipeg and other western market;* the 24 full-pint is the best seller. In this shipment the average selling prices were as follows: twenty-four full-pint, $2.60; twenty-four |-quart (British Columbia), $2.80; twenty-four J-quart (Ontario), $2..50. Owing to market conditio., j, these prices wore very low for Winnipeg, but show the relative values of the different packages. Conclnsions. Twenty-four full-pint :— This package has greater carrying possibilities than any package tested. It shows less injury to fruit, carries full and in western markets sflls more readily at higher prices than do other packages. It loads well in a refrif;erator car, and is adapted to long-distance shipments. Twenty-four i-quart (British Columbia) :— As a carrier it is superior to the Ontario l-quart crate because of the raised-bottom hallocks, raised separator and has but two tiers of hallocks. It loads as well in a refrigerator car as the twenty- four full-pint crate. Its greatest disadvantage is the depth of the hallocks, which causes a great amount of settling of the berries during long shipments. Twenty-four ii-quart (Ontario) :— No special merits may be attributed to this package unless they lie in its cheapness to manufacture, which does not profit the Growers or consumer since its cost to them is as high as that of the British Colum- bia packages. The features which work against the Ontario crate are its separa- tors resting on the fruit instead of on the crate; three tiers of hallocks; deep hallocks: bad design on account of its handle for car loading: and its unattrac- tiveness. Crow section of th« (inUrio 24-qiiart and the Western 24-|iint Hallock crate. ('nw» swti.m L>4'|>int Hallock irate. Aincrican StrawUrrv er.iti'. Clitnux bsxkets, with Cherried. » CHmV PACKAGE TIST. The ohi«ct of these tests was to secure information that would lead to a more standard padcage for Canadian sweet and sour dierries. To make comparative testa of some of the packages in vogue, both as to carrying features and selling merits, demonstrations were made, shipping as follows: — 1. Sour cherriee, warehouse fttk, 6-quart climax basket. 2. Sour cherries, warehouse pa-' 4-basket plum crate. 3. Sour cherries, orchard pack -uart climax basket 4. Sweet cherries, warehouse pa ., 4-ba8ket crate. 5. Sweet cherries, warehouse pack, twenty-four |-quart British Columbia straw- berry crate. 6. Sweet cherries, warehouse pack, twenty-four full-pint British Columbia straw- berry crate. 7. Sweet cherries, orchard pack, Woolverton, three 6-quart basket crate. The cherries having the warehouse pack were broufcht to the precooling plant and packed in the demonstration roonv, using western methods (facing the tops). The field-packed lots were commercially packed and placed in the baskets by pickers, this being the customary manner of harvesting cherries in the east. DESCBIPnON OK PACKAGER TESTKD. The 6-quart cliB||x basket is 4} inches deep, Idg by 7 inches at the top, and 13i by 5} inches at the ^ij^tom; it has a leno netting in the panel of the top, and holds 8 pounds of cherries. ' The 4-basket cralt is made up of four tin-bound baskets, each 3} inches deep, "'d-paeked 6-quart baskets gave the greatest net returns to the grower. Ihey sold at the same price as the warehou.-* packed and cost -H cents less per package to pack. t- t- -r. Winnipeg markets preferred sour cherries packed in 6-<|uart boskets. The 4-ba8kpt crate is an unpopular package for this fruit. SWEET CHKRRIKS. Test shipments with sweet cherries were made to Winnipeg, using tli^ Black Xartarian variety, packed in twenty tour full-pint strawberry crate, twenty-four J-quart strawberry crates (British Columbia), and the 4.basket crate. The Woolverton crates were filled with Smith's Bigarreau. This shipment was made by express with trans- portation costs based upon the carload freight and icing rates Inspections show^ that the fruit carried best in the twenty-four J-quart crate although not much difference was to be seen in the general appearance of the fruit. Retvlts of Sales. Package. 34 full-pint crate. 24 t'Qiiart crate . 4-ba>krt crate. . . Woolverton crate Net Weight. Lb. 17 24 20 24 Coat of Package and Packing. Total. Ct». 32 36 21 3 24 0 Per Lb. Ct«. 18 14 16 10 Average Sale Price. $ CtR. 300 4 00 •2 00 8 m A verage Net RetumH tu Grower. Per Package Per Lb. • CtH. 2 43 2 75 1 31 2 4* Ct». 14 3 11 6 6 5 103 ' Ettiinattd. The full-pint strawberry crate gave by far the be^t net returns. For (.hipping without repacking, the 6-quart basket in th,> W..oIvcrton crate is a desirable packag* THERRY PAOKAOES ADAPTED TO CAR-LlUDI.NO. The box or crate type of package is undoubtedly the most satisfactory for loading in cars. Baskets may be loaded without breakage if care is taken, but should be roiswl on false floors to aid refrigeration; they should be loaded in tiers, commencing at one side of the car, and should have a space of 2 feet or more in tfce t-entre of the car In order to get the centre space, the load must be " squared off" and braced with bi«k- heads and at least six 2- by 4-inch braces. These must be pounded into place so as to squeeze the load and make it rigid to prevent shifting. If loaded in this way. there will be no more breakage than in boxes. Boxe« or crates require mo«i «.r«pe brsmne and stripping every third layer, since these pnckages do not have the solidifying features of the bosket hnndlos. 24 CoBclniioni. 1. The 6-qiuirt olinuz basket ii the mo»t latiifactory package for sour cherriei in praine marketi. The 4-baiket crate ii nnpopnlar in Manitoba markets. The 6-qnart basket carried the fmit equally well, sold more readily, and the fruit netted the grower 0'64 cents more per pound than that packed in the 4-basket orate. 2. It is not desirable or profitable to repack sour cherries in 8-quart baskets. The orchard-packed fruit commanded as high prices as the warehouse packed, showed less waste, ani. at the same time saved the packing charge of 2i cents per basket. 3. The twenty-four full-pint hallock strawberry crate is the most desirable package for fancy, sweet cherries in prairie markets. It carries the fmit well, IS the most popular seller, and netted the Ontario grower 14-3 cents per pound as against 11 5 cents per pound in the twenty-four i-quart, and 6 5 cents per pound in the 4-basket crate. 4. The twenty-four full-pint hallock strawberry crate has possibilities of being a popular package in eastern markets. Trial shipments fold for |l.40 in Montreal. 5. In packing sweet cherries in the strawberry crates, the boxes should be faced with stems underneath. PEACH PACKAGE TEST. In order to show returns from peaches shipped in various packages, luid als.. determine the waste in the various packages, two carload shipments were made ti. Wiimii)eg, Man. The following pnekages were tried :- 1. Northwest standard box. 2. Woolverton crate (three 6-quart heaped baskets). 3. Hunter crate (six 6-quart heaped baskets or four 11-quart hear)ed baskets). 4. Michigan bushel basket. The northwest standard box for peaches has the following inside dimensions: is by 11 by 4i inches. The depth varies from 4 to 5 inches, depending upon the size mid shape of the peaches to be packed. The sides of the box are sliglitly narrower than its depth, and the tops and bottoms are made of thin material, narrower than the box. thus giving quarter-inch cracks for ventilation and sufficient spring for bulge. The tops and bottoms are put on witii cleats, to protect the bulge, for ventilation and security. Cleats are very essential on the peach box. The Woolverton crate is designed to carry three C-quart heaped climax baskets. these being covered with leno. The Hunter crate is designed to carry six 6-quart baskets or fo\ir 11-quart basket-, packed in the same manner as the Woolverton crate. The Michigan bushel basket is a splint bushel basket with lid and contre poars and packages. The time elapsing between shipping and opeiiiii).' the ears in Win- nipeg was seven and five days. All lots of penehes were in good condition, .showing no waste. This is undoubtedly due to the fact tliat the fruit wns picked at the iirnper degree of maturity and was preeonled Hireetly after packing. Chern piekagrs. ■igPS. II 2fl SfsuU* of Sales. Packatre- Net We^ht Fruit. Co«t of Package and Packing. Average Sale Vno.-. Ketanui to Orower. Taul. Per lb. Per Packa«v| Per lb. Nnrthweat standard lion, ¥M:\y Crawford lot Northwest standard box, Elberta lot Wiiolverton crate, thrw ti-quart baaketa. Woolverton crate, three 6-<|uart baakeU, 2nd lot Hunter cr»t*', mx 6-ouart bvkfta Mirhigan buMhel lia.Hket Lb. 20 20 27 27 54 Ct». 15 IS 26 26 51 172 » CtK 0 75 076 0-96 OUB 0»4 0 .11 » CtH 0 87 0 .■!;♦ 2 uSJ 1 174 4 twa 0 710 « eta. 0393 0 113 t 14C 0-425 .> 83 •0 053 Ct.. 1 !l« 0S« 423 1 58 4 14 Oi>4 * IXMB. Crates CK-eupy so much .space that liO.IKJO pounds cannot be put in a car when they are shipped alone, so that in straiirht carloads of crates the freijfht charges would be more and the net returns less than those shown above. From 480 to .leo Woolverton crates may be loaded in a car, making their weight for freight expenses range from 'M to 41-6 pounds. About 240 Hunter crates may be loaded in a car. which, divided into the minimum weight for carload shipment, gives 83..'J pounds for which freight iias to be paid on each crate. The Xoilliu-i'iil Standard Box. For western niKrkets and select trade in eastern markets tiie i<)-pound Iki.x is the tr,r,,t sat i.i factory pcai-h jiackage. As a carrier of fruit when well lacked it has no equal. For long distance shipments it is rivalled only by the Georgia carrier. The latter is slightly cheaper in original vost and cost of packing ((»-5 c«nits i)er p cents per pound of fniit. 77i(' W'oolii'rfon Crnfi'. The Woolverton crate is a new package designed to protect iK'aches marketed in baskets and to allow the murk, ting of the )H>pular " leno " or heaiM-d baskets. For local express shipments it is an ideal package as it carries peaches well, is not easily pil- fered and is a good display imckage. For long-distance shipments it carries jieaches well, but on account of the s|)ace it rei|nires i> not adapted to carload ship.nents. since .sufficient packages cannot be loaded to make up the mininnnn weight. The package is to be criticised for long-distance shipments on a<-count of the liability of the fruit to brnise by its jarring about in the baskets. It is a package that can easily be adopted by the growers since tli<'y are nccns- tomed to marketing in the climax ba.skets. Its initial cost and cost of packing are slightly more than that of the l)ox, being O-Ofi cents per iviund. From general obs<>r- vations durinsr the season it is evident that this pnck.ige will readily wholesale for from $1.2.5 to $1.T.' in the )ira!rie markets, netting the grower from IJ to 3 cents per pound for his fruit. 87 The Hunter Cratf. T. ^w* ^" ''*^ '*••* ''^"* *^* Woolverton crate also applies to the Hunter crate. Its chief advantage over the Woolverton crate is its lower cost, although it is le«i attractive, does not load so well in cars, nor is it as easily handled While ^e net returns in the 1916 tests were 414 cents per pi)und, this would be more than the average. The freight was also figured on the actual weight of the package rather than on the straight carload basis. The Michigan Bushel Basket. This package was used to determine how western markets would accept a larjre- sized package in purchasing peaches for preserving. Its chief advantages to the groww would be Its cheapness and the quickness with which it mav be handled. The bushel basket was found very difficult to sell in Winnipeg, the net returns being less than the cost of the package, the grower having to pay, besides his fruit. 0.9 cents vfr pound. The bushel holds too great a bulk to make an ideal peach package and it is not advisable to educate markets to accept it. PEACH PACKAGES ADAPTED TO CAR-LOADING. The northwest standard box is undoubtedly the most satisfactory package for car-loading It is the most eoonomieal in the use of space. Spaces between packages may be readily left for ventilating and refrigerating purposes. The minimum weight may be loaded in the car without piling to the roof. The load can be securely squeezed and braced without injuring the packages or fruit. The V»oolverton crate and Hunter crate may be loaded in cars securely without danger of injury to the fruit as is the case with baskets alone. They are especially well adapted to refrigeration and ventilation. Their great disadvantage in car-loading is the large amount of space they require. In order to load 560 Woolverton crates in a car it is necessary to stack them to the roof, whereas the Hunter crate is even less economical in space. Unless very good prices are to be secured it would be advisable to ship these packages in mixed oars when the minimum weight could be made up with other less bulky packages. The bushel basket is readily loaded in a car, securing the minimum weight with T?,!""u u', u ■ ^^'^^"^ '"'^''' '" *^^ ^^^^^^ prevent excessive bruising of the fruit. Ihe bushel basket is not advantageously loaded in cars of mixed packages. Conclnsioni. *i.,J'J'^^"I^'^^ be shipped without waste to prairie markets in packages other than the box if properly picked, packed and precooled. « f " .-J *• /'?f P**it»" ^ ^e»tera m«keti use the box, a package which wholesalers and retailers prefer over every other package. In ihipping Ontario peaches it is essential to meet this competition with a package that is as good or better 3. Packages costing the least do not always mean a saving since the more expensive packages made the greatest net returns. The Woolverton crate, costing Sti^?^'"? • the greatest net returns. The more expensive packages are to be •Jriwd for long distance shipments if they are such that carry the fruit without «# ,*: V"' ^f^^Y"* rtandard box is the most satisfactory package for carloads of peaches shipped long distances. Eetums will average as much or more at with otner packages and there is a greater assurance against waste. 6. The WodrertOA ud Hnnter cntu an well equipped for ihipping the heaped leao basket. Ai lafe carrien of fruit they are more eaiily adapted t« tatario oonditiou than the weitem box, and, although oottiiiff more, wiU nadoubv edly make greater net retnnu ia eastern markets. This would not prove tme with western shipments if based on a large number of trials. 6. The bnshel basket for marketing peaches is not adapted to western markets. THE USE OF LOW PERCENTAGE OF SALT WITH CRLSHED ICE IN BRINE TANK CARS. Through the general criticism of the brine tank refrigerator cars by the grower* ana shippers of perishable products, the attention of the Department of Agriculture was called to the subject in 1913. During that season the transportation companies furnished the fruit growers of British Columbia with approximately 50 per cent of that type of car. While the brine tank refrigerator has been found admirable for the shipment of such perishable produce as poultry, meats and dairy products that require very low shipping temperatures, it has not been found satisfactory for fruits. Many shippers have refused to ship in them altogether, and consignees or prospective pur- chasers who have had experience with brine tank cars rule against them in ordering carloads of fruit. It is generally understood that for dressed meat or poultry shipments from 10 per cent to 20 per cent of rock salt should be mixed with crushed ice in the brine tanks. In this way the ice is melted and removes heat from the interior of the car ao rapidly that temperatures below freezing are maintained even in hot weather However, through the supposed danger of freezing, the salt has been omitted in making fruit shipments m brine tank refrigerators, and the ice has been placed in the tanks in block form, after the same manner that the bunker or block-ice type of refrijterator is iced. By having the ice shut off in the tanks, melting takes place more slowly and high temperatures are resultant. By placing thermographs in brine tank cars iced in this way. It has been found that the temperature seldom goes below 50 degrees F The thermograph record shown herewith is a fair sample of such shipments. This ship- ment was made July 19, 1915, with cherries, currants, etc., precooled to 46 degrees F and shipped to Winnipeg in car No. 284492 C.P. It will be seen that the temperature actually rose during the shipment and a portion of the cherries showed a waste of 10 per cent upon arrival at Winnipeg. Fni. l.-Thernioflrraph rocord." Temperature In a brine tank car, in which no salt was ii»ed Car No. 28'l,4!)2 C.P. THE 17.SE OF SALT AND ICE FOR FRtlT SrilPMENTS IN BRINE T.\XK CARS. Co-operating with the Canadian Pacific Railway during the spring of 1914. tests were made m Vancouver by the senior author using low percentages of salt, i.e., 2 per cent and 5 per cent of salt with crushed ice in empty brine tank cars. By using 2 per cent of salt the temperature near the tanks reached 32 degrees F., and in the centre °5 2^'^ ^^ L ^^ "*;"* ^''^ ^ P*' «"" °^ «••' »«»'"« « temperature of Whtnr, J^" T "^ ""*' *'*^*""^*• ""•* 3- *^*«'°« F- '" the centre of the ear wiuie the 5 per cent mixture seemed to give a temperature too low for fruit, it should be kept m m.nd that the tesU were made in the middle of April when the ouS in ir and an outside temperature of from 00 degrees F. to 90 degrees F. this low dture 'vould not be obtained (fig. 1). <« "^ r. vnis io« am2'S*« "v***" ''<"'' ^ntl>« ""I"""" of 1»U with a shipment of fruit from oommerland to Vancouver, B.C., a brine tank car was used with slatted floors and .„„-^ r'^"* °^ *"!» incorporated with crushed ice in the tanks. The shipment revfdeL^TS:;;" "^^ "'""*'°"- '^''^ t-l--'-- were low and there was DEMO.NSTBATIONS WITH BRINE TASK CARS IN 1915. With the co-operation of the Canadian Pacific and the Grand Trunk railways arrangements were made to use brine tank refrigerators for two cars of fru thai were purchased for experimental shipment from Grimsby to Winnipeg during ' pa° season, ^n order to carry the work further, using the salt mixt^e with precooW Crushed ice with 5 per cent of salt was placed in the tanks of the cars. The fruit ZtTh an V '" ^- "f ''° T-. ^ '^ *•-« ^"«»°-«'y P'-'-« "t '^- P--0C A theZni '^'"'? i ^'"T^l^ *'"'*' ^''""^ ^"'^ fl""" were placd in the cars A thermograph was placed on the floor against the ice tanks to record the lowest tem- K."r,^""*'lJ?u"*u"\^ °"« was placed on top of the load of fruit in the centre with MflnhJ J was loaded and braced in the usual manner and the coors sealed w^th sulphite paper. On September 20. car No. 284024 C.P. (fig. 2) was shipped to m»Xfi ^, f u^- ^^^- ?^ ""^ '^'PP^ *" t*"^ *""«« P°int requiring approxi- S ?r7nJr "" "" destination. Block ice without salt was used for re icing Mr. A. H. Flack, Chief Fruit Inspector for the prairie provinces, inspected the shipments and reported that they arrived there in perfect concfition. ^'o Sv what! ever ja, to be seen from low temperatures and the highest temperature was as low as IS ordinarily secured in refrigerator shipments. Copies of the thermograph records a e herewith shown, with the exception of that from the instrument on the floor nea the blinkers of the car No. 2*4024 C.P. which failed to record. it i ■fSH^ 1 « ft s ^M^ ^•'g:'f"'T r fui!missi4m::zss Uiiimm •h m ^#f# ^ ^ u P ^^^^ 1 m i 1 m w f g : nff 1 1 i ^ i 1 B m h ^ 1 g § i i li iff H ^^^^^m ^ i Fi,;, 2.-Thrrn.ograph recurd. Temperature record, top uf load of fruit, centre <.f car No. P.P. !!«4,024. Concluiions. ,-n.f ^""^ J""*^ '''^"^ ^"^ ^*^°'** "^* "* *•'"« t»nJ^ «a". tie '"^it growera have just canie for complaint on account of high temperatures ti„n^'rt"fi.°Jl*i^V"i °' "^^ '^^'^ ""»'»«* "« '»' the'initial icing in conjunc taon with slatted false floors improved the temperature condUions in br^e tank M iidtwlS? SJ*?!^ JiM. la tbt fndt wh«i ud>ff S p«r e«>t of nit with tkt Th» importuM of tht uo of dattod falM toon ii to bo oaphadiod. This aUowi •apto spMt for the ditntotion of oold »ir to the coatn of ttewr udobrSta! Kio. a.-Thennafmph rHwrd. Teini»r»ture manl, top of t<»d of fruit, centra of ear « i.T. P. No. MO.OM the pooketiair of oold air aear the bottom of the taaki, which woald cause freei- lag of thefmit ia that regioa aad a high temperature ia the ceatre of the car. Tee writer would aot reeommead the widespread um of 5 per oeat of nit with ice ia taak can for fruit till further trials have beea made. Howerer, if care is takea it may be mei *a the iaitial iciag with much beaefit, aad the triah so far Fig. 4.— Therni<«r»ph record. Temperaturp record, agunit brine t»nk«, fl.»r of car. G.T.P. No. .-VW.OJS made warraat further iuTestigation, coveringf the use of 5 per ceat of salt with crushed ice both in the initial icing and in re-icings in transit with fruit that has not been precooled. COLD STORAGE INVESTIGATIONS. During 1914 and 1915 variety tests have been made with the principal tender fruits^ grown in the Niagara district at temperatures of 31° F. to 32° F., and 40° F. to 42° F. The objects of the tests have been to determine the effect o'f rapid and gradual precoohng (the results of which have already been shown), the behaviours of the varieties under low temperatures, and the length of their life under refrigerator ear temi^rature (40° F.). The records will be supplemented as future work brings forth added information. STRAVBERRIBa- Our tests indicate that strawberries may be held from two to five days at 40° F and from four to seven days at 32° F. Tests were made with the following varieties: Joe. Pocomoke. Glen Mary, Wm. Belt, and Wilson. Testa with strawberries and rasp- berries have not gone far enough to publish further details. WUOK CVUUMTC. aI f?* I'.^* ^^^ Chwnpion variety remaiiu in good condition for two week. At 40* F. thu Tarietjr remain, in food oondition fronTone WMk to te Sj^ UD CUIBAXTS. a! !^' f ■ ^ ^ ^*^^ '^"•*' nmriDM in good condition for ten dvs Atwt. thu variety remains in goo-l jondition for one we^k. lUXWEBEBRtES. four wefkJ/' ''" ^'""'*''" ""^ '^'""'"''" «"<'«»*"•«' '^'-'in in PH>d cond. .„ for At 40" F. these ;^o«eberrie. remain in grood condition for two weeks Goose- berries do not decay rapidly in stora^. but at the end of their storaglTeason S to change colour, during which time they are in condition fit for u.^ ^ CHERRIES. In pickinjf cherries to go under refrigeration, extreme care must be exerted in P.=k.ng before the fruit is too ripe; in preserving all stem, .ntact on the fruir n ^m,"* &'S*^r* •• ^J'?'^ "»'='''= »"'* '» eliminating fruit that I nfest^ ;ith worms^The following tabular statement give, in brief s^me of the ^ultTSt.hlS Life of Cherries in Storage. Karly Rk 'imond Montinon'ncy . Black Twurian Elkhorn Windtor qmc _^ AH sweet cherries without stems and those showing bruises or cracks deteriorated Life of Plume in Storage. Variety. Burbank Abundance Bradnhaw Grand Duke Lombard Imperial Gage ... Washington . General Hand Y^'Ilow Egg Keine Claude Monarch Dammn (Shropshire) Tempera 1,11 re. 32" F 40^ F. Days. Days. 16 10 14 10 21 10 21 14 7 .V6 12 7-10 10 7 lO 5- •> 14 10 21-28 15 21 , 14 28 1 21 Not— on Pluwu Ml Stong*. Bui^ank and iibimiaiwe^.— Should b« well eoloimd. Do not colour mueh in ■torafe. Onnd i>Mir«.— Will ke«p longer tlwn timo rivm. bu» * tendency to become ' mealy." A good rariety for long-diatance shipment Lombard. Imperial Oage, Washington, and General Hand.- -Vot luiUble Tarie- tiet for long-distance shipment. Lombard has a tendency to show discoloured spoU. Seine Claude, Moi eh and Damson.— Oood varieties for long-distance shipment. Monarch has a tendency to become "mealy." Dmuon (Shropshire) may be stored longer than time given but is apt to shrirel. PEACHES. The peach is not truly a cold-storage fruit and. when subjected to low tempera- tures for any length of time, rapidly loses flavour. In our investigations with several varieties, the loss of flavour at 82 degrees F. was not greater than at 40 degrees F. when held in storage for the same length of time. When picked fully ripe or after the flesh had started to soften before being placed under refrigeration, all vareties soon became mealy and dry. In view of these facts peaches should not be held under refrig- erntion longer than is actually necessary to comply with marketing conditions. Lift of PtoehtM in Storage. Varifty. Temperature. STF. Trinmi iinph • Bemty. Arp'a fiemty ig AdniirkI Dewey .....' 10-14 (irove*. .[.['..[[..[... 7 BmIIb of Ueonuk tit KarlyRivem {? Mountain Roue j.. j Chiuiipiun.. lft.li Karly Crawtord iTii wv. Day.. 3 10 7 4- 6 10 7-10 Very nhurt «i 7-10 10 PEARS. The life of the pear in cold storage varies widely with different varieties. It may be kept under refrigeration with but little loss in flavour and texture if the storage season is not unduly extended. Caution should be observed in picking the pear for storage as it should not be over-ripe. It is very necessary to plac ' the pear in cold storage immediately after picking. Our test indicates that pears may be stored as follows if proper care as to maturitv is exercised. Lift •t iht Pttr in Stormpt. VariMy. TcmpwatiiK. wr. iVV. BMtlatI ^wigwB Bn more fully. Temperatures. The grapes were stored at 40° F. and 32° F. No injury was apparent at the low temperature and the length of the storage season for the different varieties was increased neveral weeks as compared with storage at 40 degrees. Betiilts with Difftrenl I'arietica. yiagara.— The berries shelled very badly with this variety so thai it is not desir- able for storage. Its season was not later than November 15. After this time not only did shelling take place very badly, but the pulp lost its texture and took on an inferior flavour. Concord.— This variety has possibilities of being stored until earlv December and with extreme care mny be held for the Christmas trade. It showed slight shrivelling in the latter part of the season and a tendency to become mouldy where the least injured. Lindley or Rogers No. .O.-This variety showed a small amount of shelling but tended to develop mould on the stems. The berries had a tendency to shrivel. Its storage season lasted until the first of December. Agawam or Rogers No. 75.— The fleshy stem promoted mould growth and the berries shrivelled coniriderably. However, there was a small amount of shellinK and if properly handled may be stored till the 15th of December. IF.7(ffr or Rogers No. U.—'i .ke other Rogers varieties the fleshy stem devel- n^lTlT T ; '^^"^ %l ''^r.^t^^}.^ ""'J*^ P'«'°«w to picking and should not be placed in storage. The Wilder did not shell badly and kept until after December 1. <4 Vergennet.— One of tha best storage varieties. It is slow to shrivel and develop mould and does not shell. It may be stored till Jinuary 1. Catawba.— One of the best storage varieties but not equalling the Vergennes. It showed a small amount of stem mould and shrivelling, with a tei.dency to shell. Its storage season lasts from December 25 to January 1. Conclnsioni. Packagei.— HermeticaUy lealed package* did not give satiifactory reiolts. Packages in which a filler inch as wood wool or mill shavings was used gave better results than packages having the grapes exposed. With the filler the fmit kept fresher and stem mould was less apparent. Treatment of Fruit.— The waxing of the ends of the stems so as to stop evapora- tion did not show beneficial results. In fact less mould on the stems was apparent when the stems were not waxed and allowed to shrivel up as quickly as possible. The trimming oflf of all injured or decaying berries from the cluster previous to shipment is of the greatest importance to the good keeping quality of the fruit. All grapr- for storage purposes must be handled as carefully as possible for the above reason. By special preparation and much care during storage the better storage varieties of grapes may be stored for the greater part of the winter. However, conidderable waste will be apparent and some trimming will be necessary, consequently the storage seasons for the various varieties as given above wers based upon commer- cial conditions of storage and marketing, thus making the seasons much shorter than they would be in the case of family lots where extra care would be exerted at the time of storage and where mouldy clusters could be trimmed and brightened up before using. 3S TOMATOES. Like the peach, the tomato is a product adapted to only short periods of refrigera- tr;±.TV?'*"'"'^'*''^? "°^^ **«"'» "''^ *»»« t°°>«t« "»der refr deration bTt uTto «8.p.d flavour. Tomatoes for cold storage should have a very firm flesh a"dlhond be free from cracks or injuries. For this reason it is advisaM^to pick toma oes whh out leaving any stems on the fruit to puncture. wmatoes with- Life of Tomatoes in Ston ce. Variety. Temperature. 32° K. Kemark». Earliana °?>''- Barliett of All ,,, ChallM .Jewell '/,,/[ ' ' {V Li vingstong Favourite lo l>n Day jo BruceV First and Best .... ! 14 im iRnotum j4 June Pink in Daniiih Export iu Dwarf Champiun in Alacrity ,, 8uccejw ,2 Bonnie Be«t j^ Fairly goi.l shipper. A good ahii >ier Tendency to' mould. IXms not Btore well. ■\ good Hhipiwr. .y .Hum to good Hhip|)er. irour shipper. One of the best shippers. jNot a good shipper. Medium shipper. Uoes not store well, tiood shipper but doen not stor* well. CUCUMBERS. at sI^V T'"'""' "iH: T •*^'' "t' "* ^"^ t^^'P^'-tu'es. After a few days' storage 1 11 ; \l <="""'"•'«' ''««»•'« to show a slight darkening; this increases with the S\:l K Ta'" ''"^"i V^"^ '^""^•"^ ^^"^ storag^'the cucSrtu™ ve^ 111 w»n. ^'^f'.^'''^ completely. The action seems to be one that breaks down tS^ ^tei; mas: """^ "'*"' '° ^""^"^ '''' interceUular spaces, making the f^uit a ,n»„t! '*"" r. the cucumber remains intact, with no darkening or breaking down and