FRUIT PROBLEMS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 12, 14 July 1933, Page 8

FRUIT PROBLEMS

WHERE SCIENCE HELPS

Amongst other subjects touched upon in the report ■'preson ted to tho recent meeting of the Council of .Scientific'and Industrial Research is that of the cold storage of fruit. The Fruit Cold Storage Committee during the year, says the report, has paid particular attention to the question of dunnage in fruit cargoes, as it appears likely that owing to the investigations carried out by the Cambridge Low Temperature Research Station, a complete change in dunnage is imminent.: The now system (the tower system) provides for-wider air spaces enabling a better air circulation than was; allowed by the previous systems adopted. It also permits of savings in the cost of timber and in installation; A modified system has been under observation during the past season, and it is anticipated that arrangements for a complete trial of tho tower system will be completed in tinio for the forthcoming season. In addition to trials with apples and pears, the committee undertook a series of tentative investigations in regard to lottuces, tomatoos, poaches,' passion fruit, and plums." The trials with lettuces . and tomatoes were unpromising, and will be discontinued. Good results have been secured ■"from trial shipments of Grand Duke and plums, and Louis bou bears, and the results justify further work with other varieties of plums and pears, which may be more suitable in the English market. ' .•:.■■ ' Difficulties have been"'experienced in tho transport and preservation' of passion fruit; owing to the development of fungal troubles, and it has boon decided that local land, storage investigations will be carried out before any further shipments are dispatched overseas. . ■ . ■'■. ' ,; ■'■■■■■.

Tho work in connection with apple storage experiments has .grown very considerably, but tho results for tho current season'a. work will not. bo available for soiuo time. . .

It is pleasing to note, adds tho report, that the. cold storage investigations are- being carried out with a.full measure of co-operation with the Cambridgo Low Temperature Research Station, and cordial co-operation of the slapping companies, and the interchange of opinions which are secured by. this means is of tho greatest valuo. The Fruit Cold Storage Committee now acts as the advisory committee to the Fruit Export Control Board. :