The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-04-19
Anaersoa gateltigeaeer,
The Canning Industry.

The Canning Industry.
A good deal is being said from time to
time about the canning industry as de-
sirable enterprise for this section, and
enc which can be embarked upon without
q great deal of money. The first phase
of this question has not been overstated,
but it is probable that through lack OF
information, the smallness of the capital
needed has been exaggerated.
While it is our desire to promote new
industries whenever possible, it is not our
wish to mislead, and it is probably better
not to embark in an enterprise at all
than to 60 into it misinformed as to its
cost, to lose money and make failure.
We therefore prefer to give our readers
the benefit of all authentic information
which We can secure, than to mislead
them by the theoretical contributions of
men whose intentions are good, but
advice is bad. Our attention has been
called to practical essay on the canning
industry by Mr.. O. S. Nettles, of Daf-
lington, s. O. 1t is not new, having
been read before the State Agricultural
aud Mechanical Society of South Caro-
lima two years ago, but it is none the less
valuable, because it gives the practical
experience of man who has tried it,
and knows whereof he writes. Mr.. Net
ties says he read in the Nes0s and Courier
series of articles by Mr.. Calhoun in
which it was stated that a canning estab.
lishment with q capacity of 5000 cans
could be established on capital of $500.
He went into it with q friend, aud they
put in $3.50 80 as to allow margin for
unexpected contingencies But on in
vestigation they found the outfit which
was contemplated in the $500 basis was
only fit for canning peaches and toma-
toes, and those in only an imperfect man,
ner. They found steam outfit would
be necessary, and they put in S2.5OO in
stead of $500. Next they found that the
purchase of cans WAS an important item,
aud that the difference in cash prices,
and prices on four months time, was
$4OO on 1000 cans. They determined
to see the thing through. and capitalized
the concern at $4,000, aud established a
cannery with capacity of from 5000 to
10000 cans day. They found this sum
inadequate to carry on the business with
out aid from the banks.
Without $4,000 or $4,000 therefore,
it is unwise to 60 into the business in the
opinion of Mr.. Nettles, after giving il q
practical trial, and he gives some valua
ole hints as to the requirements and best
methods of procedure. First, locate your
plant as near as possible to railroad in
order to save hauling For plant of
5000 to 1000 cans q day two buildings
are required, q warehouse SO by 100 feet
for storing the product, second; the can
ming or packing house, 30 by 100 feet,
with ample sheds. The outfit which be
enumerates he estimates at 1900, with
the buildings already described $1,000.
Such an establishment will employ about
seven.y-fve hands, who are women and
children, except the professor and cap
per, and about three others for carrying
the heavy trucks and cans. He lays
great stress on the necessity for an expert
professor and capper, as on.these will de
pend the quality Of the goods, and an in
ex perieDced hand will lose more in
spoiled goods in a year than the salary
of an expert. The operating expsnses'of
such plant he figures at $40 day.
Peaches and tomatoes he regards the
safest fruit and vegetable for canning, as
there is always ample demand for both.
There are larger profits, however, in
green peas, as these can be gifted and
separated into three grades, the smallest
bringing fancy prices. He advocates
raising your own vegetables for canning,
as there is money in the raw material as
we'll as in the canned goods. He argues
that any acre of land that will make a
bale of cotton will net the owner $40
above all expenses if planted in vegeta-
bles. he regards the South as the best
market for Southern canneries. Southern
dealers now buy their canned goods at
the North, and Southern canneries can
furnish them just as good, less the
freight.-Augusta Chronicle.