Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1903-07-29
CANNARIES FOR
THE FARMERS
R. H. Price Of Virginia Tells Of
the PraCticability Of Build
ing Cannaries for Handling
the Fruit and Vegetables.

tAlC EIWAt anu VCbotnBlCSs
The following suggestion, by r II.
Price of Virginia, is well worth con
sidering, not only for Texas, but other
localities. He says:
There are two main reasons why
canning factories have not been estab-
lshed more generally, especially in the
Southern States. One is the failure OF
large factories under bad management,
and the other is the costliness of large
outfits which have been thought necess-
ary for good work. After investigat-
ing the subject and experimenting with
small canning factory two years |
am thoroughly satisfied that small cum
neries can be made to pay handsomely.
The first cost is very light, thus en-
abling individuals to put them up and
run them on fruit farms. When the
market goes down so low as not to
leave a good margin of profit for mar
keting these products can easily be
canned by the grower and sold for
ready cash. There is no fear Of over
crowded markets for fruit and vege-
tables with plenty of small canneries.
With these canneres in use there need
be no fear of growing fruit and vcge-
tables on a larger scale. The cost is
so small for frs establishment that in
dividual growers would lose but little if
they did not run them every year. In
all Of the cotton growing states there
are cotton gins with ample steam pow
er which is usually idle during canning
season. After investigating the sub
ject see no reason why a small can
ming factory could not readily be con-
nected with cotton gin. This would
encourage diversified farming on many
cotton farms and lessen the area plant
ed to cotton, which has been much ad-
vocated during the last few years. Be-
sides furnishing good, wholesome food
for those engaged in cotton growing
these canneries would bring in good rev.
enue and lessen the grocery bills.
What is said in reference to cotton gins
may apply with equal force where 9th
er steam power is not in use during
the canning season. The boiler is the
most costly item in establishing a
small cannery. A factory that will put
up 1000 to 1000 three pound cans a
day can be purchased for $75 to 500
exclusive of the boiler and the build
ing. Almost any outbuilding could
be readily fitted up for a small factory:
the building usually found in connection
with the cotton gins could be used.
A good supply of clean water Is nee
essary. Full instructions on how to
SET up the factory ana run it are given
by those who sell the machinery. FIRE.
quently II may I've necessary to employ
an expert for week or two to start
the factory. However. | have had
persons examine the small factory that
was experimenting with and then
purchase an outfit, set it up and run
It successfully. One important thing
in processing | learned was that we
had to process longer in the hot climate
of Texas than the printed instructions
called for in more northern latitudes.
| learned Of large quantities of canned
goods spelling in Texas that were pro-
cessed according to instructions given
for processing IN Maryland. There
usually will be trouble in marketing
these home-canned goods in nearby
towns. They can be put up and sold
cheaper than canned goods shipped in.
because the freight has to be paid upon
these aud usually one or two commission
mems profits. The labor is the most
costly item. Large canneries usually
pay by the piece, certain price tor
tipp ing, Gaping, packing labelling,
peeling, ect. Others hire mostly wom-
en- and children and pay by the hour.
There are still smaller factories made
to be attached to the cooking stove
which are excellent for such things
as peaches, apples, pears and toma-
toes. ] might state that pickle fac
tory and small jelly factory could
easily be connected with the cannery.
The south especially need such fac
tories. When more experience is OBJ
tained by running these small factories
: where fuel is cheap the capacity could
easily be enlarged II the farmer desired
to go into the business more extensive
ly. Let the canning factory como to
the orchard and truck farm where the
2 products are grown and can be put nm
in fresh condition direct from nature Z
; hand before they leave the producer. =
American Horticulturist.