Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1869-08-19
elizabeth 9aiIp aonitar,
PUBLISHED AT 1856 BROAD STREET, BY
j. MADISON DRAKE.
Written for the DAILY MoNrron.l
New YoRK, Aug. IS, 1869.


Mr.. EDrroR - Those Americans
who in spirit OF blind and tinnid de-
ference to everything in art or science
which originates in Europe, are accus-
toned to attribute to it an excellence
superior to any thing Of the kind which
is produced in our country, will open
their eyes with wonder and doubt when
we tell them that the best starch for
laundry and culinary purposes are made
in the United States and on the other
hand We fear that those other prejudi-
ced Americans who consider that no
foreign manufactures can surpass those
of This "great country would be in
capable of giving discriminating
judgment of the superiority of Ameri-
can starches. We are content to rely
upon the verdict of well-informed Ame-
rican gentlemen who have travelled in
Europe with observing and impartial
eyes, whose ability never degenerates
into servility, and yet whose patriotism
never biases their Judgment of merit
wherever they find it. Among those
in the United States who stand high in
the manufacture of starch and corn
starch is t. Kingsford & Son, Oswego,
New York.
The process of making starch from
corn was discovered by Il. Kingsford
in 1874 Before that period he had a
practical experience of twelve years as
constant manufacturer of starch, and
for fourteen years he had charge of the
works,of William Colgate & Co. Up
to the time of his discovery, all starch
for laundry purposes was made entire.
ly from wheat, and by the process of
fermentation was always more or less
sour. By bis method the starch taken
from corn has no fermentation, is per-
fectly sweet and, pure, is of a more de-
licate character than wheat starch,
gives smoother surface and softer
dressing to linen, and is therefore uni
versally preferred.
The efforts of imitators of his corn
starch have been unsuccessful, because
they knew not how to make it of a uni
formly good Quality /; and as they were
compelled to bleach, by fermentation
or otherwise, they produced an article
OF chalk-hke Wilderness, inferior also in
quality and strength. Lacking a
thorough knowledge of his system and
exact care, they fell below his standard,
and created dissatisfaction and COM
plant. The high reputation of Kings
ford's corn starch is owing to its unde-
waiting uniformity of excellence. 1t is
in popular use throughout the civilized
world, and although it's sales have been
so immense, yet it is now produced at
| the enormous rate of twenty tons per
| lory 4 1,oIe
of pounds year. Not one box of
starch has ever been returned as infer
| ior.
Having perfected the manufacture of
corn starch for the laundry, and ascer-
| tanning its possessions of peculiar merits
as an article of food, Mr.. Kingsford
devoted much time and laborious ex-
pertinent to remove from it all extra
neous substances, and finally achieved
his purpose, making it the most deli
cious, harmless and nutritious of all
preparations for buildings, cake, Gus
tards, blanc, mango, ice cream, confec-
tionery and as general article of diet
for inyalids and the nursery.
1t is in this form now extensively
used for every purpose for which Ber-
muda arrowroot is employed, and is re-
commended by. the medical faculty as
preferable to that article, because Of its
lighter nature and superior delicacyi
1t issues from the factory in various
styles of packages, boxes and barrels
and is known to the trade throughout
the world, under the following distin-
gushing heads pure starch, refined
starch silver gloss, pearl, blue and half
blue pure starch, pulverized corn starch,
or prepared corn, ground starch. In
March 1913, the Oswego Starch Com
pany who own and carry on the Oswego
Starch Factory, were incorporated, with
DR.. S. Willard, of Auburn, New York,
as President, and L. Kingsfcrd & Son
Of Oswego us the manufacturers. Mr.
Edward c.. Chaplin, is the general
agent at the warehouse No. 1915 and
1877 Fulton street, New York.
The factory in Oswego is very much
larger and more complete than any
other starch factory in the world, and
produces far greater amount than
any other, besides exceeding all others
in the uniform excellence of its manu-
facturers. The series of buildings
Wulcil az comp rlSeS ftre locaGSu On alnQ
over the, Oswego River.
The main building consists of two
distinct and seperate series Of works,
are from four to seven stories high, and
occupy an area of 200 by SIS feet of
ground.
The box factory, packing rooms,
Offices, &C., are separate from the main
works, and cover about the same
amount Of ground, the whole ground
occupied being about six acres. This
site was selt eted on account Of the re-
markable purity Of the water, and its
freedom from minerals in solution, and
for the water power furnished by the
river. Moreover, Oswego is a prom i
nent depot for the reception of vast
quantities of Western and Canadian
corn.
The works were originally of wood,
but at various periods the wooden
walls have been demolished, and solid
masonry of stone and brick, has been
substituted, firmly built upon the rock.
Iron has taken the place Of the princi-
pal timbers, and but little wood is now
in the structure Great improvements
have been introduced in the rebuilding
during the past fall and winter. The
section now undergoing reconstruction,
and nearly completed, is seven stories
high, with front of 10 feet, and q
depth of GO feet. The walls are four
| feet thick at the base. 1t is said that