Bulletin Volume 104

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1911 Excerpt: ...of some growers and middlemen, of holding figs in the interior, could be stopped by stringent action by those most interested, and thus another cause of infestation would be eliminated. HEAT AS A REMEDY. The impracticability of other direct methods of treatment led to experiment with the simplest means of destruction of insects in stored products, viz, the application of heat, by steam, hot water, and hot air. Preliminary experiments were made along this line and should be continued by the packers to ascertain the length of time in different temperatures, pressures, and exposures to produce the best effect. Figs scalded in early September had not shown indication of souring to late in December, while if exr)osed too long at the boiling point figs, it is claimed, acidify. It would seem that boiling is one of the best direct remedies that could be used, since a large proportion of the packers boil the figs intended for their own consumption, thus destroying between 80 and 100 per cent of the worms without additional expense in manipulation. By the use of dry heat the loss of time incident to the employment of the wet method, for drying after treatment, is eliminated, and there is less tendency to souring. Furthermore, the color, texture, and appearance are less affected when dry heat is employed. Already an experimental plant for the application of dry heat, called sterilization, has been installed in a large khan of Smyrna, and admirable success has been obtained in the destruction of the fig worms. The dry process, however, possesses PACKING FIGS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST INSECTS. 35 a disadvantage in that it does not remove filth and possible germs on the figs as in the case of boiling. Progressive packers a...