Historic, Archive Document

Historic,

Archive

Document

Do

not

assume

content

reflects

current

scientific

l<nowledge,

policies,

or practices

Issued

By

Division of Mycology and Disease Sur vey

/ LIBRARY

[ 0 1935

Supplement 88

Fruit and Vegetable Losses

In Market and Kitchen Caused by Plant Disease

September 15, 1935

BUREAU

OF PLANT

INDUSTRY

FRUIT AM) YICGETABLE LOSSES

IK I/iARKET MI) Kll'Ciffil'I CAUSED BY PLANT DISEASES i/

Paul R. Miller 1/

Plant Disease Reporter

SupplemGnt &8 September I5, ₁₃₃₅

Because of the deartli of information as to the losses which occur vjhile fruits and vegetables are in the hands of the

distri-biitors and ultimate consumers, a survey beginning December 1, 1'933'

is being made in an attempt to estimate such losses by product and cause. The methods for arriving at these estimates and the results obtained are set forth in the follov/ing pages.

Contents

Page

Orientation 2

Methods of obtaining and recording losses

sustained by distributors 3

Methods of obtaining and recording losses

sustained by consuLiers 11

Estimates of loss 15

Discussion 23

1/ Preliminary report based upon a survey being conducted by the Plant Disease Survey at Knoxville, Terjiessee. .

2/ Grateful acknov;ledgment is made to Dr. C. D. Sherbakoff ,

Plant Pathologist, Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Tennessee, for his identification of numerous diseases of fruits and vegetables and for providing office space and access to the laboratory. Considerable credit is due 11. S. Duncan and Lofton

Davidson, students of the University of Tennessee, who assisted

in this project under the FERA provision. Appreciation is extend-ed to all the fruit and vegetable dealers and consumers who kept records and cooperated so heartily in the survey.

2

Oi-ientat ion

After a preliminary survey, the purpose of ijdiich was to get

acquainted with the various agencies concerned with the distribu-tion of fruits and vegetables and to solicit their cooperation in the proposed project, it was deemed advisable to have figures on

the approximate volume of this produce coming into the city annually. Since this information was not available elsewhere it was obtained by going through the daily incoming consigrjnent books of the rail-road freight offices, selecting the carlot shipments of fruits and vegetables from other material and recording by origin and product

as well as date and product. It was thought that knowing where the various products were grovm would facilitate diagnosis of the cause for loss and that kno^ving when to expect seasonal products would help in planning the survey so as to inspect the greatest quantity. These compilations for the years ₁₉₃₃ ^^^^ _^934 follow. A graphic presentation of this information is also sho-i^n. (See Figure 1 and Tables 1, 2, 3 and Zj-'

)

In order to obtain an estimate of the amount of produce entering the city by truck, charts were prepared viiich listed in one column the various fruits and vegetables and in parallel

coluimis the date of purchase, origin of product, amount bought annually, ard amount received by truck. These were talcen to all dealers concerned. Estimates made by ths dealers were converted into car lot equivalents and could then be checked by subtracting their actual car lot consignments from the total amount received. These figures showed that approximately 50 per cent of the fruits and vegetables received are hauled by truck.

With this information in hand the next step was to learn the method of distribution of these products from, the time they

.arrive in the city until they are consumed. _A chart was prepared

to show the marketing process as applied to Knoxville. (See

Figure 2.

)

In order to devise methods whereby samples of fruits and vegetables _{could be examined from time to time with the}

assurance that duplicate losses were not being recorded and that the produce examined at the _{various distributing establishments}

?/as a random, unaltered sample, it was necessary to have a thorough knowledge of the different places where cars were unloaded, to

know the approximate length of time the _{produce stayed in the} hsnds- of the v/holesalers, and how, v^iien, and in what quantity

CONSUMER

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Table 1. Car-lot shipments of perishables to Knoxville, Tennessee by origin

—

January 1, 1933 '^^

' January 1, 1^34

: Apples : Bananas : Beans :

Cab-: bage : Celery: Cran-. berry : Grape-: fruit : Lettuce Ala. Ariz. ₃ Cal. ' 5 : 4 : 10 Col. : 1 1-ila. : 1 . : 1 : 2 13 —7 3 Ga. Iaalio 111. Ina. Iowa Ky. • An by La. Maine Mich. 1 Minn-Miss. "^T T M. J. - 3 1^. Y. : 1 20 Ohio . 3 1 jrcliXi.• S. C. : • 4 Tenn. 1 : Texas 2 • Va. ₁₁ Wash.

A

W. Va. _.5 : Wise. : Unk.1/ ; 2 : ₂ • 2 : Total : 31 -': 25-; 12 • 3 : i iG

_!/ Unknown

—

either point of origin ivas not listed or car had been

reconaigned.

Table 1 (cont'd)

• 2/ ^/vlixed

:

: Melons: Mixed Vege- : Onions Oranges Pota- Toma- Total

: fruit tablesr : toes toes

Ala. : 4.G : 4.6 Ariz• Cal. : 14- 12 :• 4-^"tJ Col. : 26 • 12 13 Fla. 2 122 . : 22 : 201 Ga. : iG 3 : 19 Idaho : 2 li : 18 111. G 8 : lA Ind. G 1 : 71 Iov;a 2 : 2 Ky. 1 : 1 La. : Gq Maine 28 : 28 Mich. 11' -7 -J : 27 Minn. 79 79 Miss . 1 3 • • 9 N. J. 1 : • 4 N. Y. 1 : : : 22 Ohio : : 8 1 1 : : lA Penn. : 2 S. C. 1 :. • : 1 : G Tenn. 1 : 2 Texas _{3 5.} : • 14 Va. G. : 83 Wash. : 4 W. Va. • V/isc. _78. 1 2 -; 80^ V^o. : -2 Unln. 3 : G 4 : 19 Total 18 ₄₀ \ ₅ 38 \ 137 : 316;; 28 : 838

2/ Lenons, grapes, or mixed citrous fruits. :

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Table 3» Car-lot shipments of perishables to Knoxville,

Tennessee by origin--January _{1, 1^34} 'to January 1,

Apples : Ban- : Cab- . Cel- : Cran-: Grape

-:Or apes : Let- : Lem-. anas Beans : bags : ery : berryr fruit : tuce: ons

Ala. : 30 -9' ; 6 Ariz. Cal. _{J ^, ,5} , : .5 : 30 : ig Col. Fla. _{4 3} 1 ₃ Ga. : 1 8 Idaho 111. Ind. Iowa La. : 102 : 1 : Maine Md. ₃ Mo. : 1 Mont . 3 Mich. . 11 Minn. Miss. N. J. : : 2 : N. Y. ₄ ' 7 ' N. H. 1 N. D. . Ohio 8 3 Penn. S. C. : i8 L : Texas : 2 : Va. Wash. : W. Va. : Wise. Unkn. : 3 : 2 : 1 : Total : 112 : 157 54 : 20 : b \ 2 : 3 ₅ 5 ₃₇ 19 (Continued on page 7)

7 Table ₃ (cont'd) Melons; Mixed : fruit ; Mixed : Vege- : tables:

Onions: Oranges: Pot a-: toes ; Pine-: apple : Toma-: toes ; Totax Ala. : 1 : 72 XX<:i Ariz. : Q 0 ; D Cal. : 1 : 1 ; 1 : 7^ Col. £- : PI? lla. 1 _54- 1 16XD n , / 17? X/d Ga. ; rr .5,. 1 7 r Idaho 1 111111 ; Xfiu 111. Ind. o ₃ Iov;a 1 ; X La. ox X(JT Maine : Md . 3 Mo. ; d. ' 3 Monx• ; ' 8 . X

4

Ml cn . D ?/i IvUnn. • 23 : ^3 Miss. 14 : 14 K. J. : 1 N. Y. 1 ; 1 : 2P) : 38 N. H. : 1 N. D. : 10 ' : 10 nhi n 1 11 1 ' iG Penn. : 8 S. C. r 1 1^ Tenn. : 6 : 1 Texas ; : . 17 : 12 J) : 34 Va. : 7 Wash. W. Va. ; Wise. ' i 17 : 17 Unkn. : 3 2 4 • 5 20 Total ; 6 : 5b : 21 \ 40 ; 92 r 441 r 1 ' 32 : 1104

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Methodsj3f Obtaining^and Recording L

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:

Two methods were used simultaneously in obtaining and recording the losses sustained by the distributors. First, certain representa-tive wholesalers and retailers, including chain stores and stalls in the city market, were selected and.the managers were asked to keep accurate records on charts ; furnished

^them (see Chart 4 ^^icier

discus-sion of methods of contacting consumers) of all fresh fruits and vegetables bought during: a given period, say two weeks, and to lay

aside the spoiled produce from these: purchases. Each day

during this period the spoiled' goods v>/ere inspected, the diseases identified, and the losses recorded. Later other store managers were asked to do the

same thing, and by' this method of rotation it was thought that fairly accurate 'and complete records ?/ere obtained.

The distributors' interest was aroused and cooperation stimu-lated by the aid of large colored photographi; of diseased fruits and vegetables 1/, and by stressing the iniiportance of their keeping

re-cords of their own losses in order to check their inventories of

profits and losses more successfully. . - .. .

The second method of estimating distributors' losses was to

visit regularly the establishinents ?\fhere the managers were not keep-ing records at that time and personally make counts of: losses on

various products. 2/ This was d.'One best at the time the produce was

being received or when the decayed' stuff was being sorted out. The

losses' were -recorded on charts which show the date of inspection,

cause, of loss, quantity inspected, quantity lost, where inspected, and any remarks of significance. An actual sample of such records

is given in Figure 3« It is believed that these records not only contained much additional iriformation but also serred as a check on those kept cooperatively with the distributors. They gave assurance

as well that samples of nearly all produce would be inspected, thus not allowing an unusually good lot or an unusually poor lot to' pass

unnoticed and unrecorded. ' : ' ,

•

'

'

The calculation for arriving at the total. loss and percentage loss due to all causes and each.cause, is the same as 'that used for estimating consumers' losses and v/ill be found under the discussion of

consumers' records. . ;

1/ Issued by the Bureau of Agricultural Economics and Bureau of Plant Industry.

2/ Two hand counters were .used concurrently in. arriving at percentage, loss.

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11 Methods of Obtaining and Recording Losses

Sustained by the Consuiaers

Through various niediiUTis interested consumers were contacted

with a view to having them keep records of their losses. The press carried several articles which told in general the nature of the survey and its objectives, and specifically hof: the consumers could be -of service in conducting the study. It was suggested that those,

wishing to volunteer their cooperation should call in. A popular-ized talk in which the same suggestion was made was broadcast from the local radio station. A few illustrated talks on plant diseases were given before various clubs. Not only did these articles and talks locate several enthusiastic record keepers but they paved the way for the house to house canvass liiich followed.. If an interview with lies. Consumer indicated that she was interested in the study and

vjilling to cooperate, she ?;as given a copy of each of the charts and

the composite photograph shown in the following pages. (See Figure ₄ and Charts 1, 2, ₃ and 4)*

Chart 1 v/as devised as an aid to interpreting and analyzing the consumers' loss sheet. Although the number of persons filling out the questionnaire was too small for definite conclusions to be drawn, some general observations were made from it together ?d.th

the loss record. The social level of the family, as judged by the occupation of the provider, did not reveal any noticeable differ-ence so far as loss per unit purchased was concerned. Ho?/ever,

fevjer fresh fruits and vegetables were bought by the poorer classes. There seemed to be less loss sustained by those coneumers buying every day as compared -with those buying at longer intervals. Those purchasing by telephone usually lost more than those personally

se-lecting their produce. About one hr.lf of the consumers report spoiled produce when it is discovered immediately after purchase and adjustments are made. Practically all coopcrators stress the

importance of putting such produce as lettuce, carrots, cabbage, peppers, and lemons in the hydrator as this greatly retards evapora-tion.

Chart 2 and Photograph: It vias believed that this chart and photograph (Figure ₄₎ vrould help the consiomers identify their losses

to a certain extent, as well as stimulate interest and furnish much asked-for information. The diseases shown on fruits and vegetables in the photograph represent a great many of those commonly found in

the kitchen. The consumers were asked to disregard the scientific name of the causal agent

.

- Chart

3- In order to bring the description of diseased fruits and vegetables into terms used by the housewife, this chart was pre-pared. The diseases described here are also some of those commonly found in the kitchen. In these original descriptions no pretense for

Chart 1

QUESTIONNAIRE TO AID IM INTEI-iFRETING CONSlJIffJ^S LOSS CHAjR? 1. Name Mrs. John Doe

2. Address Calvert 3t. Telephone No. 3-4'327

3. Number in family or grou_{p ^}

4. Occupation of provider Salesman

5. How often do you purchase: Every day

Every other day_

_X

Twice a week Once a week 6. Do you order by telephone Not of ten

7« Do you personally select your fruits and vegetables at the store Yes

8. miat part of _{your fruits and vegetables do you get from:}

City market

Chain store uO^

Grocery store

Huckster 10^!

Eruit staJid Others

9. Do you report spoiled produce to sellers Yes Do they replace it Yes

10. Do you have: Electric refrigerator _X Ice box

11. Do you do your _{ovm cooking Yes}

12. Do you have any _{particular method of selecting, buying, storing}

or

using which _{might have an effect upon your losses}

Yes If so

explain: '

^

I

1. buy _{very small quantities,}

select them myself, and nut all 1

lettuce, cabbage, peppers, lemons, _{an_d^h£r_nro} d

u~

vhich^ deterio^

1^±±IIPJ1J1}^^

viiich keens^Fhem f^esh munh

j:2M££-th&S the

_{refrigerator_alon^}

^.^^

'^''^';}^^''''''9

^-J^^

Chart 2

13

EXPLAIIATION TO

ACCOMPMY

PHOTOGRAPH OF D ISEASED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Product Common Naiae Causal Agent

1. Onion , SHiUdge Colletotrictsum circinians

2. Onion Black mold Aspergillus niger

3. Onion Soit rot Bacillus carotovorus

4* Banana Fruit rot Gloeospori'om musarum

J• Leraon Brovjn rot Phytophthiora citrophthora

D• Tomato Buckeye rot Phytophthora terrestris

/ • Tomato Ripe rot Phoma destructiva

U• Pepper HOX Rhizopus nigricans

9- Potato Black-heart Overheating (Usually)

10. Potato Scab Actinomyces scabies

11. Potato Stem-end- rot Fusarium eumartii

12, Sweet potato Black rot Sphaeronema fimbriatum

Sweet potato Soft rot Rhizopus nigricans

14. Bean Soft rot Rhizopus nigricans

15- Bean Soil rot Rhizoctonia sp.

lb. Apple Blue mold PeniciIlium expansura

17. Apple Black rot Physalospora malorum

10. Apple Blotch Phyllosticta solitaria

19. Apple Bitter pit Physiological

20. Apple Rust G. juniperi-virginianae

21. Apple Scab Veaturia inaequalis

22. Apple Scald Physiological

23. Celery Foot rot Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

24. Celery Soft rot Bacillus carotovorus

Pineapple Soft rot Thielaviopsis paradoxa

26. Peach BrovvOi rot Sclerotinia fructicola

27. Orange Blue mold Penicillium sp.

28. Eggplant Fruit rot Phomopsis vexans

29 Tliis shows a typical fungus (plant) vjhich causes plant diseases

Note the spores (seed) which germinate and enter the fruits and vegetables caus:ing them, to decay.

I s il ,1 t V

Chart 3

PEoCRIPT ION OF DISEASES COmiOKTLY FOUM) 3Y CQKSUT^RS

Oraiip:es. Tangerines, Grapefruit and Lemons

Blue mold: T!t.e fruit is watery and soft at first, then there appears

a filmy white growth which later becomes blue-green.

Stem-end rot : Soft, colorless rotting at the stem end at first, and

finally destroying the whole fruit, working from the inside.

Brown rot: Occurring on lemons first shows a greasy, scalded spot idiich

becomes brown and finally covered with a cobwebby growth.

Apples

Blue Mold: Causes a very soft, tan colored, watery rot which becomes

dotted vjith v/Mte or greenish-blue growths. Black rot

:

Not sunken at first. Moderately brown rot which becomes zoned with black, and finally bears small dots or pimples.

Moldy core : Flesh of fruit near core shores brownish and soft areas

fre-quently bearing webby-like growth.

Celery, Carrots, Tomatoes, Beans, and Peas

Soft rot : Odorless, -.vatery soft rot, characterized by a white cottony

groTfrth and shrinkage.

Potatoes

Black heart : Moist or purple areas on the surface, and star-shaped area

in center vjhich may have cavity.

Soft rot : Soft, mushy rot with exceedingly foul odor.

Dry rot :

Sunken, withered area, often bluish. Surface becomes dry and powdery, cheesy

mthin.

Sweet Potatoes

Dry rot or soft rot^ Commonly found at ends. Tissue is soft, watery and stringy, yielding a perfume odor. The affected tissue may become

dry,

skmnken

and yellowish broxm.

Black rot

:

Black, circular depressed spots, usually about one- inch in diameter.

Onions

Soft rot: Soft and mushy, usually stai-ting inside, with foul odor.

Black mold: Black, powdery masses on or between scales. Eggplant

Chart 4«

CONSUM'i'^RS DISEASE LOSS CHAPT

1954

Product

Date Loss and Date Loss and Date Lo6s and Date Loss ard and nature end nature and nature and nature amount of loss amount of loss amoimt of loss amount of'loss

Apples Bananas Beeins Carrots Celery-Eggplant Gr. Fruit Lemons Onions Oranges Peas Potatoes(w) Potatoes(_s) Tomatoes Others Lettuce Peppers 4/3 h gal 3 Scald 4/3 1 doz. i 1 #4 4/5 3 lbs. 4/10 i gal. 4/8 § dOE None 4/3 1 _Bnchi None 4/10 ; 1/4 2 Bnc^.By wt,l Bnch. 4/30 j 2 Frtsj. None 1 Stem i 4/4 ! ,5_£rtsj_j._^__ 4/10 j f- doz, ; None 4/6 [ 3 4 lbs.;

#

2 lineal j-^ g^-^' l rot 8 Scald None 4/17 1 gal. 4/17 4 frts. 4/10 1 BncH None 4/21 4/14 1 Frt 4/16 3 lbs. 2 SoRot 4/21 1 S.Rot J gal- 2 Scald 4/21

None _{i doz}j S.Rot

None 4/17 1 # 28 1 ^

_^^^f

_Mold 4/21 { bjvq^ 4/17 1 gal. 4/4 i 2 i 4/9 i 2 I

J

S.Rot I 4/3 I i5 frtsL None 1

#

27 4/9 ! i gal.| None i 4/15 j2 lbs. 4/25 3 gal. 4/17 1 gal. 4/S i I head 3

head^

4/10 6 frtsi,

#

8 i

—

4/17 6 frts i lb.

#

15 None None 25'^ By wt, 4/19 I 1 Bnclji. None 4/23 4 frt$. None --t 1 Soft

4

4/21 1 1 lb 1 gal^ _# 12 4/21 3 frt^ i I 1 S.Rot

1

i

t

c

15

Chart 4. This chart was used by the consuimers for recording

their purchases and losses. Sucli a chart was deemed necessary as an aid to uniformity. The housewife kept the chart in her kitchen and when she found a rotten apple, for example, she merely jotted a

re-cord of it on the chart. As a rule all purchases and losses during

a month could be recorded on one sheet. Samples of the decayed pro-duce found by the consumers xiere laid aside for inspection and more detailed identification. If diseases could not be diagnosed on the

basis of symptoms the usual culture method was used. When cause of

loss could not be determined it was listed as undetermined.

It will be noted from the sample chart that sometimes produce bought is recorded in one unit of measurement and the amount lost in another unit... In order to convert the. quantities into like terms, a

standardized conversion table was prepared which listed the number of

apples, oranges, potatoes, etc., per unit measurement. The total amount of each product purchased v:as divided by the total amoimt of

that product lost, which gave the percentage loss from all diseases. Similarly the total amount lost from each of the various diseases was,

calculated and the same method used to determine percentage loss from each disease. Due to the fact that identical charts were used for recording both distributors' and consumers' losses, the procedure for arriving at the analysis of the loss of each, was the same.

Estimates of Loss

The distributors' loss as recorded in Table 5 was arrived at by combining the results of the 40 records kept cooperatively with the '

wholesalers and retailers for periods of two weeks or more each and the results of the 50 to 100 personal inspections of each' of the various fruits and vegetables. The consumers' loss, recorded in the same table, was arrived at by combining the results of the records kept for one month or more by 200 consumers and the results of the records kept by the cafeterias cooperating. All records were kept under supervision, and final determinations of causes for loss were

checked personally.

Losses are recorded in the following table- '

(Table 5) for

twentyfour fruits and vegetables alphabetically by common name.l_/

1/ Some' records ?;ere _made of losses of pears, grapes, squash, pine-apples, peaches, and cherries but at present they are insufficient

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23 D iscussi on

Althouj^h the losses in preceding Table 5 are calculated and recorded in percentage to the nearest tenth place, it must be under-stood that they are only estimates and that the accuracy of the total amount of loss recorded for each fruit and vegetable for both distri-butor and consumer depends upon hownear^^the samples counted were re-presentative of the total volume purchased during the period of time that the records were made. The reliability of the amount of loss from each cause obviously depends upon the ability of the examiner

to dia;inose the diseases. _\f In cases where specimens bore more than one disease record was made of the one apparently causing the most loss or of the one causing the most prominent symptoms.

After seeing the diseased specimens frequently in large quan-tities, it was found that the more common diseases could be identified

at sight with relative ease. A great deal of satisfaction was derived from observing how well the cooperators coulu classify their major

losses by the aid of the pictures and descriptions of diseases furnish

bd them.

A ff-w difficulties encountered which have a bearing on this problem and which should probably be considered are: 1. The annual

variation in the amount of loss on certain produce: For instance, the percentage loss of potatoes for the latter part of ₁₅₃₄ and early 1335 ™as vei*y noticeably .r;;roater than during the previous year.

Oranges shoived considerably lower percentage loss from decays during the same period but the quality of the fruit was much poorer than during the preceding year. i^. The difficulty in determining

mone-tary loss and partial-actual loss: Diseases such as apple scab,

blotch, and rust, potato scab, and various other surface diseases, many times cause the retailer a monetary loss, but the produce usually passes on to the consumer who bears the actual loss. These

losses are very difficult to measure. Some diseases, such as black heart and hollow heart of potatoes, and internal

breakdom

of apples

cannot be detected until the produce i£. being prepared for consumption

3. The possible error in percentage loss Y^hen records are made on the same produce vhile it is in the hajids of the different classes

of distributors: For example, if 100 bushels of oranges were in-spected at the ipliolesalers and 3 bushels were decayed, and the

re-maining ₉₅ bushels were inspected at the retail store and 10 bushels were decayed, the total loss from the 100 bu::^iels vould be ±5 bushels

or ₁₅ per cent. However, the recorded loas -jould be ₅ per cent _{5 bushels loss from 100 bushels) in case these oranges were inspected only at the wholesalers; _{or 9.5} per cent (10 bushels loss from ₉₅ bushels) if inspected only at the retailers. If inspected at -both

\J The term "disease" as used in this report means any departure from

the normal in such a way that it renders the produce inedible or otherwise undesirable from the standpoint of consumption.

24

v;holesLilers and retailers ^:it.hout a knovjlcdge of its being the sntie shipment, the recorded loss vmilc be _{7*^ P&r} csnt (I5 bushels loss from 195 bushels). Obviously, the recorded loss in any of those

cases \\ould be less than the actual loss. It is doubtful, tliough, if many duplicate losses arc recorded, as a thorough check ras made

of most of the shipments upon which loss was recorded. As a rule,

moreover, diseases found with the v.-holesaler are not found with the retailer. Some of the diseases predominant vath the wholesaler are soft rot of celery, onions, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, freezing

injuri?" of peas, beans, potatoes, etc.; with the retailer, ripe rot

of bananas, watery soft rot and grey mold of cauliflower, fruit rot

of egg plant, rhizopus rot of peppers, and phoma rot of tomatoes. On the other hand, such diseases as decays of cranberries, scab of

potatoes, scald of apples, soil rot, bacterial blight, and anthrac-nose of beans, hollow heart and black heart of potatoes, and black

rot of sweet potatoes are predominant with the consumer, while dis-eases such as stem-end rot and blue mold of citrus firuits and rhizopus

of strawberries may be found vrith wholesaler, retailer, and consumer. This survey, vihich afforded numerous contacts with fruit and vegetable dealers, emphasized the fact that very few of them are

aware that an apple, potato, orei^ge, or any other fruit or vegetable

is a living plant part and consequently subject to injury and disease, leading eventually to loss of the product. They do not realize that

Yihen the natural protectix'-e covering of a product is broken or

bruised excessive loss of water occurs and entrance for disease producing organisms is permitted. Nor do they understand the fundamental purpose of refrigeration of fruits and vegetables

—

that it retards the ripening process and inactivates the disease producing organisms. This lack of ^Knowledge and its application,

in addition to handling ungrp.ded, poor quality produce was indirectly responsible for a considerable portion of the loss recorded in the

preceding table.

Two specific e"amp].es of the above may be cited, _a shipment

of oranges viiich arrived in fair condition was unloaded by the shovel method as illustrated in Figirru 5* D'^*^ "to over-stocking they were

held for ten days at co:araon ctorat:o conditions. The injuries re-ceived Vihile unloading plus the ever present blue m.old spores in the

atmosphere resulted in a 50O buskcl loss as shovm in Figures b and 7. Figure 8 shows graphically the temperature and relative

humidity for periods of a week each in four different places where fruits and vegetables were stored temporarily. The line with the

arrows represents the temperature, the other line the relative humidity. Record _A shows that the temperature ranged from about

80 to 85 degrees, while the hu^nidity fluctuated considerably from day to day. The fluctuation in humidity was probably caused by a

Figure 5» Ifeloading oranges fsroti box car by

'^Scoop-shovel" method.

Figure 7. Close-up view of Figure 6, showing blue

mold (Penicillium spp.

Figure 8. Hygrothermograph records of tour fruit and vegetable storage rooms.

I

25 steam boiler popping off in an adjoining room. Record B shows a con-siderable rise in temperature each morning which was probably due to a fire being built in the storage room stove. It will be noted that this rise did not occur on Sunday. The temperatures for Records C and D are fairly uniform and low enough to make these places suitable for storage purposes. Tht.' humidity closely approximated that on the

outside

.

In conclusion, this survey resolved itself into three essen-tial factors: 1. Obtaining a thorough knowledge of the details of distribution of fruits and vegetables from the time they arrive in

the city until they are consumed. 2. Securing a large group of in-terested, sincere, and enthusia^^tlc cooperators who were vailing to

keep accurate and complete records of all their purchase.g of fruits and vegetables for a definite period of time and to call attention to

all spoiled produce. _3* Devising a systematic and uniform method

of taking notes so that every £^,,pgj:d nade contributed toward the