266 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



but few such factories were established, probably the sad experiences 

 of the co-operative creameries restrained them from venturing upon 

 anything that had the word "co-operative" attached to it. 



INDIVIDUAL MANAGEMENT. 



The nature of canned goods is such that the management of the 

 business of the factory is most successfully conducted when it is 

 reposed in one responsible head. The person chosen may represent 

 a company, but he should be possessed of such business traits that 

 all confideoce may be placed in his ability to buy materials and sell 

 goods. He must have in his employment a "processor" whose ex- 

 perience will bespeak a successful pack. Such men are paid from 

 $50 to |150 per month, according to their qualifications. The work 

 of the processor requires the greatest amount of skill, and while 

 formerly a great degree of mystery was thrown about his work to 

 guard the "secrets" of c&nning, it is now well known that there are 

 no secrets, except where the use of preservatives forbidden by law is 

 practiced. Canners have learned that it is better for them to throw 

 open their factories to visitors, permit the closest inspection of their 

 operations and disclaim any secrets, and thus retain the confidence 

 of the people in the cleanness, wholesomeness and purity of the 

 foods they can. No person can steal a processor's skill by a visit to 

 his factory; nor can one equal the capper's speed by watching him 

 at his work. 



Farmer's are benefited by having canning factories operating in 

 their section of country, as they find it more profitable to grow to- 

 matoes, corn or peas for the canner than by growing any other 

 crop. The basis of calculation is upon present prices paid for raw 

 materials. The yield of tomatoes varies greatly in different years 

 and soils. It may be considered as coming somewhere between 8 

 and IG tons per acre, a fair average yield being 12 tons or about 400 

 bushels. During the past season farmers contracted to supply to- 

 matoes to the factory at i^6 per ton, but owing to the unfavorable 

 conditions existing in September, many canners were eager to get 

 tomatoes at a much higher figure. 



Corn does not figure so well. The yield from good land is about 

 4 tons per acre for which the canner pays about $6 per ton. Where 

 corn is being extensively canned, as in New York and Maine, the 

 farmers count it a little more profitable to grow sweet corn for the 

 canner than to devote the same land to their usual crops. 



Peas of the varieties grown for canning will yield 75 to 100 bushels 

 per acre. Packers pay from 75 cents to f 1.25 per bushel. The farm- 

 ers of Delaware when peas are extensively canned, realize an aver- 

 age net profit of |20 per acre, after accounting for labor, seed and 

 fertilizer. 



