PLAN No. 558. CANNING THE SURPLUS
A widow and her daughter, who lived in a rickety old house on a run-down farm in the Middle West, were greatly distressed by the lack of funds with which to improve the appearance and comfort of the old dwelling, but had never been able to accumulate the necessary funds to have it done.
The farm was every year yielding a greater quantity of fruit, berries, and vegetables than they could possibly use, and this surplus was all going to waste for the want of care. Finally the widow said to her daughter: “Let’s can this surplus, and we will get good prices for it later in the season.” So they began.
They had a few fruit jars and jelly glasses, all of which they filled with good grades of fruit, vegetables and berries, and then bought as many more as they could afford, besides what sugar they needed for canning. A few cans of their fruits, as well as some of their jellies and preserves, they sold to well-to-do neighbors and city people, at good prices, and so well pleased were the purchasers of their products that they never found it necessary to advertise or peddle their goods, for people came for them and bought until the supply was exhausted. And the buyers were always willing to return their jars and glasses, when empty, so their outlay thereafter was small.
They cleared nearly $100 that first season, $220 the second year, and at the end of the third year they had enough money to fix up the old house and make it an attractive, homelike, country residence. But they still can and preserve the surplus from their orchard and garden, and are making a good living from it.