I have come across oblong/oval shaped tin cans that would otherwise be thought of as sardine or fish type cans that were used for vegetables. In one case the can was clearly marked "Monterey Tomatoes". Unless that is a species of fish with which I am not familiar, I think one can assume that early tin canning practices were still rather experimental and not standardized. In the case of the tomatoes, it may have been that given the Monterey fish canning industry, that those types of cans were what was available, so they just adapted them to other food types. Can shape does not necessarily define content, so although you can make an educated guess, don't assume anything. On Wed, 13 Sep 1995, MILLS ROBIN O wrote: > "Simple" (ha ha!) question folks: > Did oblong/rectangular shaped hole-in-top cans ever contain food OTHER > THAN meats?? Just curious, before I make an incorrect assumption. > R.Mills ([log in to unmask]) >