24 BULLETIN 569, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



ing the cyclone the pulp is allowed to stand in a tank or vat. In half 

 an hour or so the clear juice begins to separate from the fibrous 

 cellular portions, which tend to rise, owing to the entangled gas. 

 When this stage is reached a stopcock or bung near the bottom of the 

 vat is " cracked " and the juice drawn off. Meanwhile, more pulp 

 usually is added. In this way the pulp is held for varying lengths of 

 time up to half a day or more, which obviously allows some spoilage 

 to take place. Another objectionable feature is that a large part 

 of the soluble solids, which contribute much to the flavor of properly 

 made products, is thrown away. The rapid decline in the use of the 

 gravity method during the last few years, therefore, marks a decided 

 advance in the manufacture of tomato products. 



Manufacturers should seek to reduce to a minimum the time re- 

 quired to carry the product through from basket to bottle or can. 

 The slogan "An hour from basket to bottle" expresses a degree of 

 efficiency which should be striven for by every manufacturer and 

 which already is being attained in some factories throughout the 

 country. 



CLEANLINESS IN THE FACTORY. 

 ITS IMPORTANCE. 



A knowledge of the conditions favorable for growth of micro- 

 organisms serves to emphasize the great importance of cleanliness 

 about a canning factory. To secure normal growth there must be 

 first the spore or a portion of the vegetative part of the organism 

 to start the infection. Then for its development or multiplication 

 there must be a suitable food supply, moisture, and a certain amount 

 of heat. The rate of growth varies for different organisms and is 

 influenced greatly by the nature of the food supply and the degree 

 of heat. 



One of the most persistent species of mold occurring around 

 tomato-canning factories is that identified as Oidium lactis (Plate I). 

 Molds growing on apparatus impart to it a slippery feel, very differ- 

 ent from that which characterizes clean apparatus. A deposit of 

 more or less cheesy consistency usually can be scraped from apparatus 

 having such a feel. 



Mold will grow sometimes in many unexpected places, such as on 

 metal and wood conveyors, on cyclone paddles, and in similar places. 

 As its presence always indicates lack of thoroughness in cleaning, it 

 will be seen that proper cleaning is of vital importance if a sanitary 

 condition is to be maintained in the plant. By proper forethought 

 in planning and equipping a factory the difficulties in keeping it 

 clean can be reduced greatly. It frequently happens that in devising, 

 selecting, and installing factory equipment too little thought is 



