Excerpts from the report Preface: Snap beans are one of our more important vegetable crops, with an average annual production of nearly 20,000,000 bushels and with an annual farm value of over $40,000,000. "Russeting" is frequently a serious problem with snap beans, and special attention has been given to determining its nature and methods of control, as even slight russeting affects the market value of beans, and severe russeting sometimes makes them worthless. Figures for summer squash production and value are not available, but these squashes are a fairly important fresh vegetable item in retail stores. Previous studies have shown that summer squashes are very perishable, remaining in good condition on a nonrefrigerated dry display rack for only 1 day. This study of deterioration of the two vegetables and of ways of minimizing it is part of a national program of research to improve the marketing of farm products.