CANNING H.B. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 74, 20 December 1937, Page 8

CANNING H.B. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

The canning of fruit in Hawke's Bay follows an ordered cycle at this time of the year. The season, which commenced at the beginning of this month, follows in rotation through the canning of asparagus, peas, tomatoes, pears, and peaches, each new crop coming in as the season for the canning of its predecessor draws to a close. At the beginning of the month, tha canning of asparagus, which is grutr ing in the, province, was commenced, and at the coinpletion of the season, 500 'cases of 48 tins each had been cauned, compared with 120 cases for- last year. There are at present 23 workers employed, at the factory of J. Wattie Canneries Ltd., but when the canning season is in full swing there will be from 100 to 130 employed. Additions to the factory, and the installation of new machinery has been compleedt. The canning of peas is now commene* ing, and . this season 100,000 tins ot peas will be canned. At the conclusion of the pea canning, the pulping and canning of tomatoes will be commenced. This year, dwarf tomatoes will be canned in addition to the usual stake variety. While bringing a price considerably less, this variety proves a profitable investment for the grovver because of the t'act that, apart from on casional sprayings, no attention :'s needed for the plants. They grow about eight inches high at the most, requiring no staking, and no thinning. The tomato is of the wrinlded variety, in contrast to the smooth table tomato, but makes good eating. At the end of January, pears ana pcachcs will be canned.