Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-14


Mr. Benjamin F. Holmes. of New Bruins
wick, n. J., manager of the Home Valley
Canning and Preserving Company, of
that city, was present, and would en-
Tighten the meeting on the fruit canning
question.
Mr.. Holmes arose and proceeded to pre-
sent to those present the fruit canning
business as far as he was able. He had
been a careful student Of the industry
which he became associated canned
the first year LOO cases
of goods xperimentally. The following
year it canned 300, 1000 cases. Its business
has increased fabulOusly and the firm has
now five factories in operation. He
started business on his own account four
years ago in New Jersey, and had been
so successful that he had no idea of CIV
ing il up. The plan upon which he ope-
rated was to contract with the producer
to plant certain number of acres for the
use of the factory III whatever product that
might be desired. This was frequently as
little as two or three acres. The object of
this contract was to secure a certainty
for the consumption OF the factory. 1t
could always be relied on. AS the farmer
prOfited by his contract he would increase
his acreage and finally turn over his en-
tire crop. He had been a keen observer
| since he had been in Savannah, and had
seen some things which surprised him.
among which was the fact that the cOuh-
| try is susceptible of producing more than
/ it does produce. He did not think that
/ enough was produced about savannah to
keep factory in constant operation. The
supply of oysters, fish, shrimp, crabs,
etc, would of course be great, but an in
/ crease in the production of vegetables
would be necessary. The establishment
Of the factory would bring about this in
crease. Transportation is another thing
that must be thought of, and freight
rates must be made to compare
| favorably with those from New York.
Mr.. Holmes concluded by saying that he
would prefer being Intercepted rather
than make any further effort at eXplana-
| ton. There were many points that did
not occur to him which might
! be brought out by questions.
p. L. Haskell asked the prices paid by
/ the factory tor certain Notwithstanding
| beans, peas and squashes.
Mr. HOlmes.-FOr beans we pay 30 cents
! per bushel, peas (early varieties) 90
cents; sQuashes Marrows), 40 cents.
| These are the prices paid for vegetables
delivered.
Mr.. Henry McAlpin-Is there any limit
to the business?
MIR. Holmes-We have never found any
limit. The quantity Of goods we turn out
and find sale for Is only limited by the
quantity of material we are able to pro-
cure. We run out at times 5000 TO 5000
! cases a day, and at other times there is
| an increase to 10000
"How much is paid for beeffo canning
! purposes -
Mr.. Holmes-From to 80 cents bulk,
for Chicago meat. One large factory in
! New York runs on the heads of beef car
| casses alone, which are bought at
| from ~ to cents per pound.
| He had found 1t more profitable 10 buy
cattle on the foot. He sold the hides to
| the tanner. the choice cuts to the butcher.
the hOOfs and bones to the button maker
or the fertilizer manufacturer. Every
part of the carcass was sold and made to
reduce the cost Of that portion which was
utilized in canning.
Remarks were made by Capt. McAlpin.
Maj. Ryals, Mr.. EXley and others, show
ing that the prices paid by the
| factory would be remunerative, as they
were steady and unyarying. There would
| be no hazard such as is undergone in
raising early vegetables for the market.
| Everything could be planted IN proper
| season in disregard Of the dangers of
/ early frOsts. bad packing, etc.
! Mr.. Henry McAlpin spoke upon what
| he had ascertained regarding the canning
! industry in recent visit North
made especially to look into the
| subject. He had visited and
/ inspected the factories of Maryland, New
/ York and New Jersey. He was more IA
vOrably impressed with the Home Valley
Factory, in which Mr.. Holmes was inter-
ested. than with any other. There were
/ great possibilities for canning factory in
Savannah. Besides consuming the sur
| plus of farmers products, it would give
| employment TO a large number of women
| and children. Its scope could be extended
and the pear orchards of Southwest GeOr-
/ gia and the peach orchards of Middle
| Georgia could be made to contribute to it.
/ The chair asked Mr.. Holmes if there
| was any such thing as Over-prOductiOn
| for the needs of the factory, saying, for
! instance, that if a farmer should put all
/ his land in beans, or any other one article,
/ could he dispose of his entire crop?
! Mr.. Holmes-I repeat there is no limit,
/ although the bean is a minimum article
| for which ready sale can be found. OF
/ course there are defects in the business,
| as well as in others. These defects are
only in canning. When properly put
up there is always a ready sale.
Georgia farmers have no idea of what
they can do in the fig line. Figs have
never been canned. and their entrance
upon the market would be a sensation.
/ They grow spontaneously here perhaps
as they do in no other section. This par
ticulaT article could be pushed to a great
sale.
Mr.. Gavan, of Baltimore, a commission
merchant handling canned goods and
| truck, was called upon. He was native
of Savannah. and had watched her growth
jealousy. He was glad to see her taking
the first steps in a great industry, and had
vet to see an unsuccessful canning fac
tory. In Maryland the number was great.
Farmers had been forced to start their
own factories. They grew a certain
| amount of stuff to be sent to market and
a certain amount to the factory. The
factories were absolute necessities. Sa-
Yannah, he believed, would be forced to
90 into canning. The prices of her truck
/ have been cut down by the rapid strides
that Florida has made, and the entrance
Of New Jersey into the section with a
canning factory would surely bring Mary
land, and the first factory would be but
the introduction of many others.
After a multiplicity of questions and
answers. Capt. Henry Blum arose and
said that he had listened with great in
terest to what had been said, but that he
had come for business. If the farmers
thought that a canning establishment
would pay he was, by all means, in favor
of having one.
Mr.. J. Gardner-I would like to ask
what action is necessary to be taken to
bring the matter to a focus?
Mr.. Holmes-We will establish a
branch of our business in Savannah pro-
vided $15, 900 worth of stock in our COM
pany IS taken. Our company is capital
lied at $4,000. Thirty thousand are al
ready taken, and we are in running order
| and established. The $4,000 we propose
to sell to Savannah Will make the amount
$4,000 and we don't care to dispose of
any more.
The subscription list was then opened
under the following preamble:
''The undersigned do pledge themselves
to subscribe the amount of money placed
opposite their names in the Home
| Valley Canning and Preserving Com
pany of New Brunswick. New jersey,
a BODY incorporated and doing business
under the laws of the State OfNew jersey.
on the condition that a branch Of said
company is started in savannah"
To this pledge the sum of SO, 400 was
subscribed and on motion it was ordered
that one list be placed at the office
of Capt. Blum, and another in
the hands of canvassing
committee, consisting of Messrs. Henry
McAlpin and g. NJ. Ryals, and that the
members of the meeting be constituted a
committee to canvass for subscriptions.
The meeting then adjourned subject to
the call of the Chairman.
Act;xitx in Sacurities