The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-03

South, although even then, the thing was
puzzling, for even in warm climates corn
has a certain season in which to grow. In
answer to a question asked, the proprietor
took the gentleman back TO the kitchen,
where he placed before his astonished gaze
a number of huge tin cans, from the labels
of which it was learned that a certain COM
pany is now canning entire ears of corn.
The same company also cans whole toma-
toes and asparagus and other vegetables.
The corn thus prepared is already cooked,
and in serving, all that is necessary is
simply to heat it slightly before placing
upon the table.
Now the brothers State is noted for it's
corn producing. When the two men sat
down TO dinner the following day, the host.
for a joke, began telling stories concerning
the possibilities of modern vegetable rails
ing. He went so far as to say he under
stood that one of the leading hotels had
watermelon on its Thanksgiving MENU, and
that the Mexicans were so far ahead of the
Southern people in the matter of truck
farming that they were supplying the New
York hotels with winter cantalOupes. His
brother scoffed at all this, stoutly main
tanning that, in all North America, there
were few places where vegetables could be
produced earlier than in his own State, and
making fun of what the other had saio
about Christmas cantalOupes. This sort of
thing went on until the first course. of blue
points was removed, and the turkey and
vegetable course came on. Then, as the
waiter DldCtu DelOTt the SCOIIluR DTOlncT
two large and juicy roasting ears, for a few
moments the latter sat speeches. with
establishment. Then he began asking ques-
tons.
oh" replied his host, that is nothing.
The corn comes from Mexico. 1t is not a
circumstance to what they can, and have
been doing. 1 tell you, L know what I'm
talking about, when l say they can beat our
Georgia truck raisers ali TO pieces. We think
the Mexicans are behind the times, but
they are beating the people of our State TO
death. when it comes to raising early gar
den truck and sending it to the Eastern
markets"
After that the brother from the South
had little to say, but it was evident that he
was keeping up "a terrible thinking all
through the meal" Finally, when they fin
ished. he said:
well. if were to tell the folks, when
get back home, that L had roasting ears the
last OF November, they would hold me up TO
derision as the champion liar of the State.
However, L mean, nevertheless. to do a lit
tie missionary work when l return, and see
if / can't stir our people up to raising early
vegetables and getting some of this trade
away from the Mexicans.''
Thus far the perpetratOr of the joke has
not enlightened his brother and, as a re-
suit, the latter is trying hard to reason
out how it is the MeXicans are able to raise
corn. so hat the roasting ears will be ready
by the latter part of November. He says
that he doesn't see how corn planted dur
ing the hot season can possibly amount to
anything. but, nevertheless, it must all be
true, because he is quite certain that he
had roasting ears to eat.
As to watermelons for Thanksgiving, that
is, after all. not such an impossibility as il
may seem. Twenty years ago certain farm
| ers in northeast Missouri discovered that,
by burying them deep under timothy OF
| clover hay in the lofts of their barns, water
melons would keep fresh and in good con-
ditiOn for a great length OF time.
There is. however, one peculiar feature
of the efforts TO produce vegetables out OF
season, and that Is that with the exception
of tomatoes. which are welcomed the whole
year round, the majority of people do not
care for vegetables and fruits out of sea.
son. Even among the wealthy, Strawberries
in January, and green peas in February
are looked upon more as a novelty than az
a downright delicacy.