[•2i>2 The Vegetable Industby in New Yobk State 



tage. Peeling is somewhat of an art. A short knife with a blade 

 about two inches long ig the best tool. The peeler grasps the 

 tomato in the left hand with the stem end away from the palm, 

 the blossom end lying in the palm of the hand. The knife should 

 be held as nearly parallel to the line of the core as possible, and 

 should be run into the tomato only deep enough to remove the core 

 without opening up any of the seed cells. If the tomato has been 

 properly scalded, as the core is being removed, the skin will leave 

 it and be left in the. palm of the hand when the tomato is dropped 

 into another pan which is used to hold the peeled stock. 



Next the tomatoes are packed into cans, after the cans have 

 been thoroughly washed. In packing the tomatoes a small quan- 

 tity of the juice from the peeled stock is first placed in the bottom 

 of the can — about two tablespoonfuls of juice is about correct — 

 to fill the spaces between the tomatoes as they are placed in the 

 can. If this juice is not placed in the bottom of the can it is 

 almost impossible to have the can turn out full when cut and 

 emptied. 



Next in order after filling is 

 thoroughly washing or wiping off the 

 tops of the cans. If this is not done the 

 operation of capping or soldering the 

 top in place cannot be properly per- 

 formed. Next the cap or so called top 

 of the can is soldered on. When pur- 

 chasing cans the little tops or caps 

 which cover the openings in the ordinary 

 cans should be ordered sent with solder 

 enough on their edges to fasten or seal 

 them to the cans. 



Soldering is performed as follows: A 

 tool is used, called a capping steel, 

 which exactly tits over the cap to be 

 soldered on the can. It is heated to the 

 required temperature either by a plumber's gasoline furnace or 

 by a charcoal furnace. The latter may be a homemade affair made 

 by cutting a hole in the side of an old milk can so an opening 



Fig. 358.— Capping a Can 

 With Round Capping Steel 



