512 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



During the last quarter of the nineteenth century the decline of 

 this very important home occupation was very rapid, owing: 



First. To the great development of the_ modern commercial spirit 

 in preparing on an expensive scale, and in marketing cheaply, all 

 articles that mankind might need. 



Second. To increased facilities for the transportation of fruits, 

 preserved or fresh, especially western and tropical fruits. Ofttimes 

 one could buy canned western peaches much more cheaply than one 

 could buy the materials at home, besides having all the labor of 

 canning to perform. 



Third. Increased facilities for the storage of fruits, placing fresh 

 fruits in most of the larger markets at all times of the year. 



Fourth. The destruction of most of the home fruit trees by the 

 San Jos^ Scale, during the '90's, and more recently. 



Fifth. The complexity of our modern social life — bridge-whist, 

 afternoon teas, balls, dinners, embroidery, novels, etc., quite un- 

 known in days of old, have crowded out the more homely duties of 

 the good old grandmother days. 



P'ortunately, we note a decided tendency toward the increased pro- 

 duction of home preserved fruits. This is due to numerous causes, 

 among which may be mentioned: 



First. The serious adulteration of commercially prepared fruits. 



Second. The very rigid State and National Pure Food Laws, which 

 require all goods to be properly labeled, thus driving from the mar- 

 kets much inferior, adulterated and undesirable material. 



Third. Increased demand for home-made foods, due largely to the 

 campaign of Dr. Wiley, Chemist of the United States Department of 

 Agriculture at Washington, showing the deleterious results of con- 

 suming adulterated or chemically preserved foods. 



Fourth. Higher prices are paid for the home products, now that 

 the adulterated foods are driven out of the market. To illustrate 

 our point, we may pause long enough to say that a f^w years ago 

 there was an extensive apple jelly factory just across the river from 

 Harrisburg, Pa., and tpe chief incoming shipments which it received 

 consisted of turnips by the wagon-loads and car-loads. No wonder 

 the industrious and honest housewife, in making and attempting to 

 sell her pure apple jelly could not compete in price with the factory's 

 product. 



Fifth. The successful control of the San Jos^ Scale. This has been 

 accomplished only within the last five years. 



Sixth. The city exodus to small farms, and the enthusiasm of the 

 newly apprenticed farmer's wife in trying her own skill. 



Seventh. The recent agricultural and horticultural awakening iii 

 our own country, showing that there is real art, science and brains 

 needed, rather than mere routine drudgery. Among these factors 

 are agricultural and horticultural societies, granges, farmers' clubs, 

 farmers' institutes. State and National bulletins. State experiment 

 stations, and, perhaps, above all, the State agricultural colleges, 

 with their universal cry of ''back to the soil" with "practical 

 science." 



