The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-01-20
Preserved Meats, Fish, Vegetables, &c.

Preserved Meats, Fish, Vegetables, &c.
Among the business enterprises of this city.
that Of packing meats, fish and vegetables, in
Theoretically sealed cans, is gradually secur-
ing place and steadily increasing in impor-
lance and extent. We made visit to the es-
Enlistment Of Messrs. Rumery & Burnham,
few days since, for the purpose OF obtaining
for ourself, and furnishing our readers some
idea OF the business they are now doing.
This firm commenced operations some twelve
years ago, on small scale, and have steadily
increased from year to year, as the advantage
of the process became known. To accommodate
the increasing demand for the articles put up
growing out, in part, Of their adaptedness to
the wants of our increased Navy, it has been
found necessary to make an addition TO their
buildings, and extend their facilities for car
rying on the business. During last summer
brick building was erected ON Franklin street,
adjoining the one they had previously occu-
pied, "a feet in front by IA feet in the rear,
three stories high.
lle Ddstffitut etoi1 - OtthptCA W bhS
steam boiler, for storing coal and wood,
and as place of deposit for the beef as it is
brought in. On the second floor the beef is
separated from the bone, all cut up by hand
and put into tin cans, holding four pounds
each. After being thus packed and sealed
the cans are put into vat around which the
steam is forced by which the water is heated in
which the meat is boiled. The cans are then
cleaned and vanished, to prevent rusting,
and packed in wooden boxes, containing one
dozen in each The vanishing and packing
is done in the third story. In the attic is a
commodious room for tin plate workers, who
are constantly engaged in making the cans
The other buildings are used for packing
and storing as heretofore.
This firm have a contract to furnish 10000
lbs OF beef to the Navy, the present season, to
be delivered al the various places where it is
wanted. The name Of the firm and time OF
putting up is marked on each box. Tho meat
is warranted TO keep good, two years and If a
can should be found unfit for use within tina,
time It may be thrown upon their hands
They have been furnishing the Navy for near
ly three years and not single can has come
back ON their hands yet This speaks well for
the care with which it is put up, and their cx-
perience, SO essential to the success Of the
business.
Messrs. Rumery and Durham, by having
a variety of business, or putting up variety
OF articles, are enabled to continue their oper-
atoms through the year. They employ con-
stantly from sixty to scventy-fiye hands in the
various departments. In the Fall they com
mence buying and butchering cattle, some
twenty-five day being required, all of which
are being purchasedin this State. Their slaugh-
ter house is at the west end Of the city, where
q competent man takes charge Of the bust
ness. The hides, tallow, hoofs and bones are
all contracted for by parties who have use
for them, and taken away each day. The
business is managed so Systematically that the
wheels are never clogged. every department
being under the direction OF one of the firm
or some man who understands the hnSinaSs-
u..uu..ssss sne SCISSOR for putting up beef, poul-
try, mutton, DC, is over, they commence put
ting up vegetables, mainly green peas, beans
corn and tomatoes. Last season they put up
about 100000 Holsters at Jonesport and Mill
bridge. The coming season they win extend
the business, and will obtain them at Machias-
port, Prospect Harbor, and perhaps Lubee in
addition to the places mentioned, as they have
not been able heretofore TO supply the orders
they have received.
We did not, Of course, enquire how much
money was paid out in year to carry on their
operations, but any one can see that it must
require large amount, all of which is ex-
pended in the State, except perhaps that..re-
quired for the tin used in making boxes. All
having an interest in the business prosperity
Of our city will rejoice in the success OF an
enterprise that gives employment to our cti-
zens, and furnishes home market for our
cattle.