Middletown transcript., 1880-03-20
Correspondence Of the Transcript.


contend, Mr.. TRAEscRIPT, that neo4<om-
munity could so abound in Interesting topics
of general character, as TO furnish supply
for sncb week as the past has been, and in
lien of the lighter notes that we bave had
heretofore, lei me give your readers some
more solid crumbs TO feed upon. It is fact
generally conceded, that our farmers are
Somewhat in the rear Of their more enterpFls-
ing neighbors, mot immediate neighbors, }
and seem only loo prone 10 plod along IN the
old well-worn ruts Of agricultural economy
They do not seem unmindful, Of the fact that,
an occasional step outside Of Antediluvian
law, as it relates to agricultural progress, Is,
oftimes highly conducive TO the farmers
prosperity, and especially so when The step IS
taken with proper, but not over-timid Judge
ment. Now propose 10 place before your
readers. one or two illustrations which ought
IN satisfy our agricultural community, that
tber do not avail themselves OF The numerous
advantages that local opportunity offers,
much less the great advantages that an ever
growing national civilization affords Ana
lust here, perhaps it is proper TO introduce
the illustrations proposed
Canning. The word seems to have grown
INTO a household one and well it might. How
many thousands Of our population, all over
the vast extent of this great country, TO say
nothing about foreign expectation, depend
upon and demand the supplies OF canned
goods which it would seem TO he The especial
purposp or design Of our Middle States, to
supEly. Who can't remember, only few
short years since, the great dilemma that those
engaged in seafaring life had 10 contend with
was scuryey Owing to the fact that man
had not availed himself Of all his privileges,
lit was not a science) merely an experiment,
which at once proved successful, and the In-
PRODUCTION Of various canned vegetables,
fruits and milk, have just about rendered the
word scnrvev and its dreadful consequences
obsolete. No one ever hears of such thing
nnw-a -Gavs. when, within my recollection, 1t
VAS the principal cause of distress among
snilors, and have often seen an incoming
sip. no sooner touch The, wharf than The
uretched crew, dying with the scurVey'
would eagerly devour raw Irish potatoes
eating them as we would apples; potatoes
having a special tendency TO relieve the DIS
ease. But now you never hear Of ANYTHING
Of tie kind. II was caused by salt food anc
want of vegetable diet. But | have gone
aslray from my illustrations The cases IN
point came under the direct observation OF
ihe writer, and the facts and figures are cor
rect. Six acres, as first venture, was IN
'T8, planted in tomatoes. Owing to the
usual timidity lonsequent upon a new de-
parture the crop was late in getting plantea
consequently d large proportion ial'ed 10
ripen before frost and was lost. However,
! 1850 bushels was the quantity delivered ac-
curding TO contract, at 80 cents per oushel
Gross receipts. S559.G0. Now tor the cost Of
production six acres Of land valued at 500
per acre, at per cent, S36; phosphate
In tndfnl in each hill), 1900 lbs, $40; seed
So; picking, cents per hushel, 800 oO ::
labor and hauling, $50 Thus: Gross re-
cppts. S558 90 Labor, picking, phosphate,
interest, seed, 1896 50; net profit to grower
S36l 30 In other words, clear gam OF
SG0. 20 per acre. In 70 the same party put
in cultivation l5 acres, with results almost
identical. and, but for the distressing drought
that all remember to have prevailed last sum
mer a handsome addition would have been
added to the net profits Thus you see that
in two consecutive years trial with different
causes Of draw back, the result WIS hight
profitable and | consider il safe TO assume
that the two years would be a fair average
So much for the growing of the principal
article of canned goods. ! take the tomato
to illustrate because Of my familiarity with H.
and conviction that it is the most profitable,
alike for growing and canning The two
crops referred to were put up by an establish
ment started about four years since with al
most insignificant capital, but an abundance
Of what is just as requisite, ''pluck," uni!l,
at this time, there is not a town or city III
which these goods do not find profitable
market. There is a rapidly growing demand
for these goods yearly, yes monthly, and
must, of necess ty, continue to increase with
the wonderful growth and prosperity Of the
country This cannery, besides, furnishes
employment to T5 or so hands, chiefly chill
dren (boys and girles who are enabled 70
make good wages at this, which they could
not at anything else) 1t requires no previ-
Gus experience and any man with ordinary
good sense can soon master the business. VI
the large number engaged 10 the business, OF
whom know, onl one had any previous ex-
perience before starting. hope, Mr.. Trans
oRIPT, have not trespassed too long on your
space, and offer, as in excuse for Sc doing,
my earnest desire 10 see some Of our farmers
enjoy all the benefits that bountiful nature
has placed within their reach. LIBERTY.
TOWNSEND, March Is, 1880.