CHAPTER XXV. 



EVAPORATING FRUITS. 



Our work on " Florida Fruits " would not be complete 

 without a reference to a comparatively new industry, which is 

 destined to be a revelation of wealth to the fruit and vegetable 

 groAvers, not alone of Florida and the United States, but of all 

 countries. A revelation of wealth, on the principle that a 

 "penny saved is a penny earned." Wherever fruit or truck is 

 raised for market, there is sure to be a waste of unsaleable 

 produce, which could be utilized for home use, ;.if there 

 was not " too much of a good thing," which, however, there is, 

 and so a great deal spoils and is lost. Another thing, in many 

 places, especially in newly-settled States, like our Florida, it is 

 very difficult, if not impossible, to get perishable produce to 

 market in good condition, hence people living in these localities 

 are cautious about raising such products. But modern invention 

 has swept away this heretofore serious drawback. The farmer, 

 or fruit-grower, may now plant what he will, gather as he will, 

 and then quietly place the result of his labor in such shape as 

 shall assure him a large and sure profit, without the possibility 

 of loss, no matter how far he may be from the great markets, nor 

 liow slow his means of transportation. Nay, more — he may 

 prepare his produce and pack it away, to await the highest 

 market prices, instead of being obliged to place it on sale when 

 the field is already over-occupied. J^either is the produce thus 

 rescued from waste and low prices in poor demand ; on the con- 

 trary the supply will scarce be able to keep pace with it ; if the 

 article supplied be the best of its sort, a good price and ready sale 

 is always sure. The recent invention which has brought so great 

 a boon, not only to the producer, but to the consumer, is that of 

 the evaporation of fruit and vegetables. To be sure, they were 

 " evaporated " years ago, and placed on the market with a, 

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