How Long Cold Storage will Preserve.—No rules as to the length of time during which various articles can be kept in cold storage to the best advantage, can be given, which will apply invariably to all cases. In stating what is often done in this way it is intended to show what it has been found profitable to do, and what will be likely to prove of practical value to those who are starting in to make use of cold storage for themselves. Poultry and fresh meats can be kept sweet for two or three weeks. Beef is improved in quality by keeping this length of time. Butter, eggs and lard may be stored for three to eight months. Apples, according to variety and condition, from five to ten months. Pears, pulled when they will just come away from the stem, and carefully handled, will keep two or three months. It is best to ship them in two or three weeks, not waiting for color to mature, as this will be perfected by the time they reach the consumer.
Concord grapes will keep two to four months in cold storage, and Catawba grapes will keep longer.
Strawberries, blackberries and cherries will keep two to four weeks.
Watermelons, three to six weeks.
Muskmelons, two to three weeks.
Peaches, four to six weeks.
Oranges, lemons, figs, bananas and raisins, two to three months.
Green corn, two to four weeks.
Squash, four to eight weeks.
Cabbage and turnips, eight to nine months.