The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-07-31

As with clothing, so with food, there
Is constant demand for something
better. But few years ago most peo'
pie were very well satisfied II they
could obtain dried apples, peaches, and
berries for use during the winter sea.
SON. These fruits were dried in a very
primitive manner. The larger fruits
had the skin removed, the core or stone
taken out, when the pieces were at.
tAched to strings and exposed to the
sun to dry. Sometimes apples and
peaches were sliced or quartered and
spread on sheets placed in the sun OF
on some warm surface. Berries were
dried by placing them on cloths and
exposing them to the sun or placing
them In ovens. These methods of dry
ing fruits enabled many families not
only to provide for their own wants but
to supply the market with articles
largely consumed in cities. The intro.
duction OF large fruit-driers caused the
production OF superior articles, and the
apples. peaches, and berries dried in
farm-houses brought but low prices in
cities. At present the demand is for
what is called "evaporated" fruit, to
distinguish 1t from the fruit that is
dried in the open air or by the use OF
primitive processes. II is not discolor-
ed, is free from dirt, and is greatly
superior in many other respects.
During the last few years fruit pre-
served in tin cans has largely taken
the place of that which is dried by any
method. Especially is this the case
with fruit that is to be eaten without
being recookcd. The trade in canned
fruit has assumed enormous proper
tions. The quality of canned fruits is
not what it should be, and does not
improve as their consumption increases.
Many unripe or partially dccayed fruits
are put up at most canning establish
ments. As the contents OF the cans
can not be seen. there is no way OF
judging of their merits. AS rule,
canning establishments are located
long distances from the places where
the fruit is raised. Perishable fruits,
like berries, do not stand transporta-
ton we'll, and they are likely to be-
come injured within few hours from
the time they are gathered. The best
fruit that arrives in a city market is
disposed of to persons who desire to
eat it Immediately. That which is of
inferior quality is disposed of at low
prices to the Gamers. 1t is heated.
some glucose is added to assist in its
preservation, and 1t is sealed up in tin
cans and rendered attractive by tho use
of snowy labels. 1t is better than dried
fruit, but 1t is not what many families
desire.
Many housekeepers have for years
put up fruit for their own use in glass
jars, employing clarified cane sugar in
stead Of glucose to aid in preservation.
II they raised their fruit or were able
to obtain that which had been recently
picked. they would have table luxury
vastly superior to anything sold in tin
cans. Few town people, however,
raise fruit of any kind, and there is
generally considerable difficulty in pro-
curing perishable fruits that are in
good condition for canning. TO meet
their wants, some fruit-raisers during
the past few years have put up choice
fruits in glass jars and placed them on
the market. They have sold at prices
never before realized for canned fruits.
They are in demand for invalids and
epicures, who never hesitate to pay
large sums for very superior articles of
food. That certain kinds of fruit put
up in glass will soon take tho place of
those packed in metal cans appears
certain. The fruits that are most in
demand are cherries, red raspberrics,
currants. black currants, and straw
berries. The three former can not be
be preserved to good advantage in
metal cans on account of the acids they
contain.
This new branch of trade should give
an impetus to the small-fruit industry.
Persons who propose to raise and put
up fruit in the manner suggested should
understand that they are to prepare
articles for the best class of customers.
Persons who will h" fruit put up in
glass care more about the quality than
they do about the price. Only the
best fruit should be PUT up. All poor
or even doubtful specimens should DO
rejected. One decaying berry may in
jure the flavor of all those in the same
Jar. The fruit should be picked with
care, properly prepared, and canned
Immediately. Exposure to the warm
air even for q few hours will result in
injuring it. The sugar used to aid in
preservation should be of the best
quality, and sufficient quantity should
be employed to make the addition of
moro unnecessary when the fruit is
served. Persons DESTROYS of obtain
ing reputation for their fruit, and of
securing customers for the future.
should put their names on the labels
attached to the jars.