Grapes

Grapes
In the United States, grapes are grown mainly in California, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio. Washington, Missouri, and Arkansas also produce same grapes. There are many varieties of grapes but there are predominant in this country. Grapes are utilized to produce unfermented grape juice, vinegar, wine, raisins, jams and jellies, and as the fresh product for table. Grapes are planted as vines or cuttings from older plants. The cuttings produce arms bearing fruit, the greatest yields coming after 3 years of growth. Properly pruned and cared for, vines produce fruit for many years.

Grapes to be shipped as fresh are packed in wooden crates, then precooled to about 40F (4.4 C) in railroad cars or refrigerated rooms. Generally, the grapes will be fumigated with sulfur dioxide prior to or during cooling to prevent mold growth. Grapes that are to be stored for future shipment should be packed in crates, precooled to 36 – 40 F (2.2 – 4.4 C0 placed in refrigerated storage, and fumigated with sulfur dioxide, they should be held in this manner until shipped. Periodic refumigation with sulfur dioxide may be required to prevent spoilage by molds. Under these conditions, grapes have a storage life 1 -7 months depending mainly on the variety.
Grapes