Milford chronicle., 1895-06-28
ERuII PRESERVED IN RoRAx.
Experiments That Have Given Surprising
Realistically Borax Chests.


Experiments That Have Given Surprising
Results-Family Borax Chests.
Frank NJ. Smith, the borax king, be-
lieyes that he has solved the problem Of
preserving fresh fruit so it can be put on
the eastern market in a satisfactory condi-
ton. For some time no has been expert
menting with borax and finds the ingredi-
ents Of that salt adapted for precluding
vegetable decomposition.
The discovery is the result Of a sugges-
! ton made to Mr.. Smith ono day while
lunching with a friend. The gentlemen
were discussing the success that had at
tended the experiment Of boraxing fresh
meat, when Mr.. Smith was asked why he
had never tried preserving fruit in the
same way. He said it had mover occurred
to him, but thes afternoon he gave the
subject so much thought that as soon as
he returned to his home in East Oakland
he packed several pounds of cherries in a
box of powdered borax. This box was
placed in the cellar and alongside Of it he
put large glass dish filed with the Same
kind of fruit. Then he awaited develop
ments. The next day he visited the cellar
and found the cherries in the dish We're
beginning to turn. In three days they
were so decompOsed that it was necessary
to throw them away. In order to make
good test he determined not to disturb the
packed cherries for three weeks At the
termination of that time the box was
opened, and the fruit was found as fresh
and in as good condition as when first
placed there.
Mr.. Smith was amazed, and he was de-
lighted over the result and determined to
experiment on larger scale. He had
quantity Of cherries packed ina barrel Of
borax and sent to Chicago by slow freight.
Last week he received q telegram saying
the fruit had arrived in perfect condition
and was bringing surprisingly high prices
Since then a number Of barrels Of cherries
have been packed in borax and are now
ready for shipment east.
As fast as the different varieties of fruit 4
ripen experiments will be made by Frank |
G. Ravens at Rose Crest Villa, his place /
at Vernon Heights, Oakland The expert
ments will be ON an extensive scale. As
the experiments on the different fruits
prove successful barrels of the fruit will /
be packed and sent to the east and Europe.
Whenever an experiment is pronounced
successful it will be published for the
benefit Of growers and commission men
Who may wish to preserve their stock
There is no patent on this discovery, "
aid Mr.. Smith yesterday, " it is free to all.
regard it of the utmost value in the
working out of the problem of domestic
economy. Tho same borax can be used
'ver and over again, and think Of the
mount Of unnecessary domestic waste
hat will be avoided by preserving fruit
his way. Private families, as well rs ho-
els and restaurants can have their borax {
inns at small expense, in which they can
onstantly keep an assortment of fresh I
ruit. The experiment is as yet in its in {
ancy, and l am loath to claim too much I
Of it, but from the tests We have made it
reasonable to believe the system Of borax
reserving will play an important part in
ho commercial world
There is another question involved in
his discovery that is quite as valuable in
S way as tho waste question, and that is
ne ability it affords TO produce fruits out of :
leir natural season. Cherries in the au S
INN and gigs at Christmas How would c
lat be2 There Is money in furnishing p
uits out of season for any one who wants :.
} take up that line of business. No, ]
ave not yet considered the possibility of Il
ping into the business myself but am b.
lnddent it would be u lucrative one.
ave not yet gone that far with my plans,
1t may put up a warehouse for that pur-
'se near the borax refinery in Alameda 81
he cost of shipping fruit by slow freight a,
small, and 1 don't see why farmers y
ould not pack their own crops and sell
pm their own places. lie
g 1 have not yet experimental with Der M
IS, but am inclined to think they uld -
It be a success. They arc so soft and the n
ice is too near the surface Neither have III
experimental with vegetables, although ~
believe they would stand the borax and M
ep perfectly. The possibilities Of this IN
ode Of preserving arc marvellous After NJ
IS season we will know pretty thorough Al
what there is in it. Oregon Nevada M
California abound in borax, and why
luldn't people who have small deposits IN
this salt ON their places use it for pre- ri,
wing their crops?' San Francisco tx 30
liner