which extensive softening had occurred within
14 days after brining; those in (B) were from
fermentations in which some soft cucumbers
were found; and those in (C) and (D) (Fig. 3
only) were from lots in which all of the fruit was
still firm after 2 weeks of fermentation. Platings
of slices of surface-sterilized fresh cucumbers
were usually free of molds (-10% of slices with
mold colonies). In contrast, after holding fresh
cucumbers in the refrigerator for 6 days, molds
developed on about 90% of cultured slices. Slices
of cucumbers from untreated natural fermentations
which had been air-purged for even 1 day
usually were found to contain viable molds.