The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-07-17
FRUIT PRESERVED IN BoRAx.


Frank M. Smith. the borax king. believes
that he has solved the problem of preserv-
ing fresh fruit so that it can be put on the
eastern market in a satisfactory condition.
For some time he has been experimenting
with borax and finds the ingredients of that
salt adapted for precluding vegetable de-
composition.
The discovery is the result of a sugges-
ton made one day to Mr. Smith 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 that it had never occurred to
him, but that afternoon he gave the subject
SO much thought that as soon as he re-
turned 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 a
large glass dish filled with the same kind of
fruit. Then he awaited DEVELOPMENTS. The
next day he visited the cellar and found the
cherries In the dish were beginning to turn.
II was necessary to throw them away. In
order to make a 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.
49, CiiiilH was dH1dZeO, ana ne was Oe-
lighted over the result, and determined to
experiment on larger scale. He had a
quantity of cherries packed in barrel of
borax and sent to Chicago by slow freight
Last week he received a telegram saying
that the fruit had arrived in perfect condi-
tion 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
ripen experiments will be made by Frank
u. ravens at Rose Crest Villa hiS aft
vernon Heights, Oakland. The experiments
WIZ pe mace on an extensive scale. AS the
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 bene-
may wish to preserve their stock
~ mere M IS no patent on this discovery"
regard it of the utmost value in the work
ing out of the problem of domestic econo-
my. The same borax can be used over and
over again; and think of the amount Of un-
necessary domestic waste that will be
avoided by preserving fruit in this way
Private families as we'll as hotels and res
taurants can have their borax bins at small
expense in which they can constantly keep
an assortment of fresh fruit The expert
ment is as yet in it's infancy. and am loath
to claim to much for it. but from the tests
we have made it is reasonable to believe the
system of borax preserving will play an i'm
portant part in the commercial world.
LIZZIE Is dIiOtIeF question involved IN this
discovery that is quite as valuable in it's
way as the waste question: and that is the
ability 1t affords to produce fruits out of
their natural season. Cherries in the au-
tumn and figs at Christmas. How would
that be? There is money in furnishing
fruits out of season for any one who wants
to take up that line of business No;
have not yet considered the possibility of
going into the business myself, but 1 am
confident it would be a lucrative one. have
not yet gone that far with my plans but
Warehouse ho r,11rr 80
near the borax refinery. in Alameda. The
cost of shipping fruit by slow freight is
small. and l don't see why farmers should
not pack their own crops and sell from their
own places.
Il have not yet experimental with ber-
r1es, but am inclined to think they would
not be a success. They are so soft and the
juice is too near the surface. Neither have
| experimental with vegetables, although
believe they would stand the borax and
Keep perfectly. The possibilities of this
method of preserving are marvellous After
this season we will know pretty thoroughly
what there is in it. Oregon, Nevada and
California abound in borax, and why
shouldn't people who have small deposits of
this salt on their places use it for preserv-
ing their crops?'-San Francisco Examiner.