CANNED FRUITS. 93 



Table 36 gives the results of analysis of 74 samples representative 

 of this class of goods. Of this number, 39 were put up in glass, 1 in 

 a stone jar, and the remaining 34 in tin. Of the 39 samples put up in 

 glass, 28 were of foreign origin. All of the tinned goods were of 

 American manufacture. 



A large number of the analyses given nere consist merely in the 

 examination of the sirup in which the fruit was put up, as this is 

 sufficient to determine the presence or absence of glucose, preserva- 

 tives, artificial sweetening materials, and, except in a few cases where 

 the fruit alone was colored, of coloring matter, as well as the density 

 of sirup employed. 



A good idea of the qualit}^ of the fruit used for canning may be 

 obtained from the general appearance of the product. Small, imma- 

 ture, and defective fruit is easily distinguished from the better goods. 

 The quality of fruit governs, to some extent, the manner of its prepara- 

 tion. The lowest grade is commonly canned without the addition of 

 sugar, and is always preserved in tin. A cheap but wholesome article 

 is thus provided, for which there is great demand; at the same time 

 the value of these goods will only warrant their preservation in the 

 cheapest manner possible. 



As an illustration of this class of goods may be mentioned "pie 

 peaches," very small and imperfect fruit put up in water, after the 

 removal of the pit, but without peeling. In this connection may also 

 be mentioned the article prepared by soaking and canning dried fruit. 

 This grade of goods is far inferior to canned fresh fruit, but finds 

 a ready sale, at a relatively low price, in bad fruit years. 



The grade of product prepared from a given quality of fruit depends 

 largely on the amount of sugar added, or, in other words, the density 

 of sirup employed. Generally speaking, the heaviest sirup is used 

 with the best fruit, but good fruit is put up in sirup of all degrees of 

 concentration, and even in water, according to the abundance of fresh 

 fruit and the demands of commerce. 



