Harry Smith's Jams and Preserves

Orchardists lived a precarious life because pests, disease, weather and fluctuating markets or gluts of fruit, often threatened their economic existence. Mr H.H. (Harry) Smith of Jerseyville Seven Hills was one orchardist that considered producing jams and preserves would return him a far better profit than just growing the fruit.

 

In 1916, a newspaper article told of a visit one of its correspondents paid to Harry's 'fine residence, orchard and jam factory.' The correspondent related that a one horse boiler supplied the steam necessary to run a 12 gallon jam-making copper capable of turning out 1cwt of jam at any one time.

It would seem that his set-up had the capacity to can the jam - when cooked - and a crimping machine attached the lids to avoid the use of solder. Originally, Smith used parchment paper on glass jars but screw lids were a welcome replacement. The plant had been  installed by Messrs. Buzacott and Co. Ltd. of Sydney and was located in a shed measuring 15 feet long and 10 feet wide.

Harry had already supplied one buyer with a 2 1/2 ton consignment - made from his own fruit - while another ton was waiting to be dispatched.  He had a standing order from one buyer to supply 100 ton. Harry used the peel and by products in the jam making process to augment pig fee thus nothing went to waste.

 

In February 1916, around 150 ladies and gentlemen attended a fruit canning and jam making demonstration at Jerseyville  given by Mr J.G.R. Bryant (Assistant Government Fruit Expert) from the Blacktown branch of the Agricultural Department.  Robert Lalor, hon. secretary of the branch, saw to the comfort of the visitors, as did Mr and Mrs Smith, who supplied afternoon tea as well as grapes and other fruit.  As well as locals, visitors came from as far afield as Cowan Creek, Hurstville, and Crows Nest.  Bryant turned out excellent samples of canned peaches and plum jam on the day. 

 

Harry Smith, apparently a self taught jam and fruit preserver, intended extending operations because he was convinced he would get a better return by treating his fruit on the premises and selling direct to retailers.  In 1917, a Mr Sharpe was putting in a pulping plant to can his own fruit.    

Orchards in Seven Hills c1914

Ref: Windsor and Richmond Gazette, 4.2.1916, p. 4
         Sydney Morning Herald, 4.2.1916, p. 7
         Farmer and Settler, 4.2.1916, p. 7
         Sydney Morning Herald, 25.12.1917, p. 5.