No. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 293 



good judgment. The canning of fruit is upon very narrow margins 

 of profit and therefore the success of a business, depends greatly 

 upo4i careful mauageukeiit, so that every laborer will be constantly 

 employed, every operation successfully performed and that every 

 expense is reduced to a minimum figure. Fruit canning is most ex- 

 tensively carried on in California where the opportunities for getting 

 large quantities and fine qualities of fruit cannot be excelled. For 

 forty-five years this industry has made rapid growth in California, 

 and the eastern canners are meeting serious competition with the 

 high grade California canned fruits in the eastern markets. 



California fruits are put up with greater care and selection than 

 is practiced in the east. They are packed in four distinct grades. 

 The first grade is of the choicest fruits, free from all defects, peeled 

 by hand and carefully packed in cans using a strong syrup. These 

 are known in the markets as extras, being put up in 3 pound and 2^ 

 pound cans. The second grade is known as extra standards, being 

 selected and handled w^ith the same care as for the first grade. The 

 fruits of the second grade are slightly smaller than in the extras^ and 

 are always put in 2-| pound cans. The third grade is known as 

 STANDARDS. In this the size of the fruit is smaller than in the pre- 

 ceding and the paring (when necessary), is done by machine. The 

 fourth grade is known as seconds. In this an inferior grade of fruit 

 is used. The syrup used in these four grades varies from a 10 

 per cent, solution in the fourth grade to a 32 per cent, solution in the 

 extras. 



All kinds of fruit may be canned successfully. Brief directions 

 are given only for the fruits which are commonly packed in the 

 eastern States. 



APPLES. 



Many small canning factories have been started in localities where 

 apples are extensively grown, and have found it profitable to put up 

 this one line of goods only. There are many old orchards bearing 

 quantities of fruit that makes excellent canning material, but not 

 being of the well known market varieties, do not command good 

 prices when barreled. For this fruit the canner pays from 25 cents 

 to .50 cents per bushel at the factory and the farmers are willing to 

 sell at srch prices. 



Any variety that is a good cooking apple is acceptable for canning. 

 The season may begin in August with the Red Astrachan, and this 

 followed with Jeffries, Duchess of Oldenburg, Maiden's Blush, St. 

 Lawrence, King, Baldv\^in, Bellflower, Northern Spy, Rhode Island 

 Greening, etc. 



