Pears and Apples in Storage.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 57, Issue 3, 20 September 1938, Page 256

Pears and Apples in Storage.

Cool Storage Notes.

WINTER NELIS should be frequently inspected for the spec rot that develops so quickly and is caused by seasonal conditions. The time of its development is affected by a delay of storage after picking, or by faulty cool-storage conditions. Discoloration of pears in cool storage and immediately following storage is found in a number of varieties. The causes are a tendency in the variety to be affected by seasonal conditions; Some of the varieties subject to this fault will not develop the tendency until near the end of the season, while other varieties will discolour quite early in the season, sometimes in storage, or shortly after removal. Discoloration in Pears. A few of the varieties most subject to discoloration and breakdown are : Marie Louise, which often breaks down quite early in cool storage, even under good storage conditions ; Vicar of Winkfield, which is a good-quality cooking variety, although its appearance is against it, and which is an unreliable cool-storage variety as it will often discolour in storage or immediately after removal; Beurre Capiaument, which is a poor-quality pear and an indifferent cool-storage performer ; Madam Cole, which is not a good-quality pear, but is a fair cool-storage variety under good storage conditions. -

Many other varieties have these faults and have gone out of favour; others which hold for long periods in cool storage but lack quality have also gone out of favour. Export Varieties. The export varieties which should be concentrated on for the Dominion export trade and local market requirements are : Josephine de Malines, Winter Cole, Winter Nelis, P. Barry, Packham’s Triumph, Beurre Bose, Doyenne du Comice, Glou Morceau, Harrington, and Conference. The three recognized late-keeping varieties are Josephine, Winter Cole, and Winter Nelis, but like most varieties of fruits, they are affected by seasonal conditions, arid must be well grown, carefully handled, and cool stored under ideal conditions to obtain the best results. Inspection of Apples. Granny Smith apples which were picked early in the season should be tested by bringing a few apples out of the cool store and placing them in a convenient position for inspection. If the samples do not show 'signs of discolouring after a few days’ trial' the line should hold for some time. Tests of this ■ nature should be made every few ; weeks as the end of the season

approaches. This will give an indication of when to market this class of fruit to avoid loss. Judgment in time of picking and state of maturity when cool storing Granny Smith apples is necessary .to obtain; the best results from the cool storage and marketing of this most popular variety. Sturmers, unless of good quality and firm in texture, should not be held too late in the season, especially the larger counts, as this class of fruit, when over cool stored, has a detrimental effect on the demand for the variety. ... Varieties for Best Returns. - The varieties of pears and apples which bring the best returns over a period of years ’ are those that may be exported successfully, find a keen demand on overseas markets, and also have a cool-storage life, which plays such a large part in the even distribution of fruit throughout the year on our local markets without undue losses from early breakdown tendencies, which are found in many varieties of pears and apples. These are known as “ unreliable cool storage varieties.” Regular attention should still be given to blowing out of cool chambers.

-A. Powell,

Cool Storage Officer,

Wellington.