160 



CANNING INDUSTRY IN CALIFORNIA 



during the month of July. These vines were 

 planted in May. Fig. 236 shows the tomato field at 

 the time of harvesting, when the vines cover the 



apples, figs, lemons, logan-berries and oranges are 

 also used in the preparation of jams, jellies and 

 preserves. 



Duration of the California Canning Season — By Kinds ob Varieties 

 Showing Earliest and Latest Day's Packing for Period of 42 Consecutive Years in San Francisco 

 Explanation : '= entire season. ■■! heavy period. 



ground. As no rains are expected in California 

 until the very end of September, there is no 

 necessity for the use of trellises. 



The beginning of the canning industry in Cali- 

 fornia was made in 1860. In 1863 the total pack 

 was about 7,000 cases. It has increased as follows: 



1870 36,000 cases 



1875 61,000 cases 



1880 221,000 cases 



1885 615,000 cases 



1890 1,495,000 cases 



1895 1,639,000 cases 



1900 2,775,000 cases 



1905 3,800,000 cases 



By reason of the diversity of soil and climate, 

 the canneries are scattered throughout the state, 

 specializing more and more so as to handle prod- 

 ucts where they are grown to the best advant- 

 age. 



The above table gives the duration of the can- 

 ning season by varieties. The heavy black line 

 indicates when the season is at its height. This 

 table also gives a list of the more important 

 varieties used in canning, although it is to be 

 noted that artichokes, baked beans, lima beans, 

 beets, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, corn, 

 onions, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkin, spinach, 

 sprouts, squash and turnips are packed in consider- 

 able quantities. In addition to the varieties of 

 fruits mentioned, it should be noted that crab- 



It is safe to say that the canneries in California 

 are using the product of 15,000 acres bearing 

 fruit and 10,000 acres bearing vegetables. The 

 canned asparagus, apricots, peaches, pears and 

 plums are shipped to all the open markets in the 

 world and are regarded as superior. The cheaper 

 staples, as peas and tomatoes, are marketed usually 

 on the Pacific coast, as the cost of transportation 

 limits the sale of such products as are generally 

 produced throughout the country. With berries' 



Fig. 235. Tomato-fleld in July. At the time of harvesting 

 the Tines will have covered the groxmd. California. 



and apples, California enjoys no advantage over 

 other localities, and for a like reason these products 

 are, under normal conditions, sold in Pacific coast 

 territory. Other vegetables, such as potatoes and 



