Year: 1877

supply in the climate where the fruit is


not in its natural condition more than


four months in twelve. But man has


farther succeeded after years of preserv-


ing in sugar, and spelling the fruit to


both health and taste; then by a drying


process which was grand improvement


But the grand road to success was dis
covered when the art of keeping fruits
and vegetables in almost their natural
condition for years, in all climates, wheth-
er by sea or land, by Theoretically sealing
them in vessels that the air had no in
fuence upon.


And it is to give little of my expert
ance in the canning art that the society
has called on me for an essay on utilizing
fruit and vegetables.


To begin with, it has been well demon
strated to the world for years, that all
our fruits, vegetables and meats could be
preserved with all their natural favors
and qualities unchanged relative to use :;
but my point was to do this work from
our own grown fruits at home and not
import the labor and fruit of other States
and nations, at drain upon our financial


resources, Il need refer no further to the
economy of nations that make them indie
pendent), but that the people of Iowa
was paying a tariff of an enormous
amount to railroads and commission men,
when the labors of Iowa's poor men and
women and children could do the labor of
canning, and make something to furnish


food and clothes, as well as to employ the
women and children of Maine or Mary
land. But the question this society wants
me to answer, is, can Iowa do her own
fruit and vegetable canning, successfully
from her surpluses, and thereby find a
fair market. My answer is yes. If the
men that have the enterprise to do the
work could have the capital at their COM
mand, to meet the necessary outlay for
building, machinery, material for cans and
material to can, and the laborer for his
work of canning. First, it takes, the
cheapest it can be done, at least, $25Oo
worth Of house room and machinery, to
make successful start, and then give me
in my situation, $4,000 in capital, l could
put up $4,000 worth of goods. The
freight alone would be saving of $500.
to add to the home capital of Iowa.
The reason l am trying to make this fea-
ture of the canning business prominent,
is, that canning and picking cannot be
carried on successfully without capital.


We have the men, or can have them,
who can furnish the brain and skill, to
successfully enter Iowa as preserving
State, as well as producing State, (which
no one in this world would doubt after
seeing her Centennial exhibit), but the
unfortunate part is, he has not the mon
ey to carry forward his enterprise, and
his friends and the banks cannot see in
it safe investment, and the result is, the
surplus of Iowa fruits must be spoiled, by
parties not being prepared to utilize it
or 60 entirely to waste, (and our
State has lost million in the past season,
of her best fruits and vegetables), that
our people will pay other States for, this
and coming seasons at remunerative
price to their producer, manufacturer,
and commi ssion men, and rail.
roads, and then have poorer article at
bigger price than our own soil, climate,
skill, labor and capital can produce. There
by Iowa supplies employment to thous-
ands of women acd children in Maine and
other States, instead of her own citizens.
We furnish them food and clothing, and
let our own be idle, and supply their
wants from their profit on the raw ma


terial, after paying commission, freight,
and profit to middle men, to get the raw
material to Maine, that it may be manu-
factured and shipped back again, as
though our products were improved in
quality, quantity and cheapness, and that
we are under obligations to keep our east
ern cousins where they are, and keep them
in something to eat and wear, and leave
our own citizens without employment.
This | think is all a mistake, and it
comes from the fact that capitalists can
not see the pay.


Gentlemen, who is there of you that
would swap these Iowa apples for the
like amount from Maryland or Maine, to
get better quality in flavor and ap-
pearance. Who of you would go to
Maine for good tomatoes, or corn to feed
his stock, when Maine depends on Iowa
for the corn she feeds her stock. Is it
reasonable to suppose that Iowa cannot
be successful competitor in the markets
of our country, when she can produce
corn at Csc, and Maine at from ST to So
per bushel, and who doubts the better
quality of our corn to Maine.


As to the canning being a success, with
me, have to say that / can all the fruits
and vegetables for my own family use,
and that / have been putting up corn and
tomatoes in small way, for the market
for the past four years, to the entire sat
isfaction OF the consumers, if l can
judge from the manner in which my
goods are sought for in the market, and
while put up but 5000 cans of toma-
toes and 1900 cans of corn, the
past year, l have been out of goods
for some time, and could have dis
posed OF as many more. / am entirely
satisfied with the profits of the season,
| have lost over $500 worth of
corn alone this year, from causes not
necessary to mention here. / have an
If / live, to make the amount
loo, 900 cans the coming season, and what
| can do in corn and tomato canning, I can
do with peas ano beans, and all other
vegitebles and fruits. / am 30 enthusi-
astic in the matter that would be willing
to come in competition with the Gamers
Of the country. Ny deficiency is the
want Of capital, but as tasting is the proof
Of the pudding, I will let the committee
sample my goods.