The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-04
FASHIONS IN EO|DlES.
The Things We Eat Now Considered
Unfit for Food Not Very
Long Ago.
Tomatoes Regarded as Poisonous
and Celery Looked on
a. q Weed.
Tho Use Of Cranberries, Asparagus and
Caullnowers-Sweet Potatoes, Yams,
Ounces Disappearing.

Fashion changes in articles Of food, as
we'll as in styles Of dress, though not SO
quickly, perhaps. What we're considered
poisonous products of the earth not so many
years ago are now highly relished in this
city.
Among the things reputed to be poison
not long ago was the tomato, which was
known to the Indians by the name of to-
mate. Farmers looked upon it az unwhole-
some and cut it down whenever it appeared
above ground. It is within the memory Of
men not yet old whenit made its appearance
in the markets and groceries to any extent.
The first fashion Of eating the tomato was
raw, as salad sliced with cucumbers and
onions. Then it was found to be excellent
stewed, and then New York cooks devised
baking il, frying it and in other ways fixing
it for the table. It is now regarded by city
physicians as one Of the healthiest fruits
that can be eaten, the acid contained in it
being specially beneficial for poor digestion.
It is largely impregnated with iron.
A dealer in tomatoes said that he had sold
thousands Of dollars worth of the fruit, yet
he considered it queer product, and often
wondered where it had it's origin.
The fruit is described as plant of the
deadly night shade family. II was origin
ally distinctly South American pro duct.
1t was cultivated long before the discovery
of this country in Mexico and Peru. In
England, where it was imported as an ex-
otto, according to English authority, it was
called golden apple, while in France tits
called love apple.
The mar ketmen and dealers know little
about the origin Of celery, which formerly
they would hardly touch, but which now
they handle in great Quantities, shipped to
them from immense farms in the west.
Like the tomato. it was considered poison
GUS up to quite recent period. Beyond
the fact that it belongs to the family of
parsley in botany, not much is known
about it. Formerly it was used as herb
medicine. the discovery of its use omine
from the Indians, who knew it to possess
curative properties. The farmers called it
smilage, and permitted it to grow wild. It
possesses qualities, phi ysicians say, that are
yet scarcely recognized. and only within a
very short time the juice extract of it has
been sold as tonic.
Cranberries, which grow wild in many
parts Of this state and elsewhere. and which
were looked on by the cultivators of thesoil
BILE. and have not been coming to the New
York market until within about 30 years.
The berry, dealers say, was first cultivated
at Cape Cod, where the finest sort are said
to flourish, but it is in three or four coun-
ties in Jersey that the most of the crop that
reaches here is produced. Immense marsh
farms for its cultivation have been started
in Wisconsin and Michigan. In the cram
berry season persons 20 from this city to
find employment as pickers. Seventy five
kr hall e~ hn n~SH 49, A0~~~u
who are often able to gather from five to
seven bushels day, although two bushels
are considered an average days pick.
At first cranberries were only eaten in
this city as a side dish with game and poul-
try about the holiday season, and it is not
long ago that the making of pies and jams
began. The acid of the fruit is deemed by
New York doctors fine for the fractions
stomach.
Two more popular products of food, as
sumed until within q comparatively few
years since. Now they are in great demand.
Asparagus is allowed to grow wild in many
places, and as an ornament in gardens.
The stalk is cut as it sprouts from the
ground after it is few days old.
Cauliflower, which is a variety of the COM
mon cabbage deformed by cultivation into
a compact head. came into general use here
about twenty-five years ago, marketmen
say;
While these are some OF the products for
merly ignored there are others that were
once liked that do not find the favor in the
New York market they once did.
One of these is the Carolina potato, or
sweet potato, the yam, which, produce deal
ers state, do not go into general use as much
as in former times. Natives of the section
where they are raised still cling to them.
however. Ounces are no longer in great
demand by housewives, and are not 60 ex-
tenslvely raised as they used to be. Nearly
all grocers keep them for sale.