The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-05-24
The Manufac,ure. Of Portland.



lies half a mile above and is about three mile
in area, fed by smaller ponds and springs. The
stream is about ten miles long and empties in
to the Presumpscot at Pride's Bridge. The
fall at the mill privilege is Is feet and grouped
about it is a little village of some fifteen OF
sixteen buildings, almost all of which are the
mills, storehouses and boarding houses of the
Company. The ride from the city in a bright
day is delightful, and visit to the factory re-
pays the curiosity of one interested in mann
featuring enterprises. About three years age
this property passed into the hands of the
Cumberland Bone Co., who began the manu-.
facture OF superphOsphate of lime in connec
tion with wooden ware. But after brief ex-
pertinent it was found that the power was NOT
sufficient for the successful prosecution ofAbotf
branches, so the company was divided, the
chemical works were removed to Ligonia (Cape
Elizabeth) and the whole works devoted to the
manufacture of pals, tubs and packing boxes,
Tor canned goods with a capital of $4,000 in
vested. The first six months operations were
not remunerative, but with increased expert
ence changes took place. and the works are
now very prosperous, with quick sales for all
the goods that are manufactured About
10000 feet of pine and oak logs are cut up an
nually, 30 men and boys have steady employ
ment, and about $4,000 is paid out for labor.
The process of turning log into pals and
tubs is very interesting, and perhaps a descrp-
| ton of it is worth while The logs are first
sawed at the mill into thin boards for the bot
toms, or cut crosswise into bolts of the proper
lengths The round bolts are next split into
halves by circular saw, and the slaves cut
out by barrel saws. These saws are hollow evil
inders of steel, with the teeth cut on one end
and each stave as it comes from the saw is in
proper FORM nearly ready to take its place in
the pail The slaves are then dried in the open air
for several weeks, then further seasoned under
cover, and finally they go into the kiln for fur
ther drying. Next comes the sorting, and the
slaves are taken to bench, where with ma
chinery they receive the true taper, the edges
are jointed, tongued and grooved A boy 'sets
them up" in a circular frame on the bench be-
fore him, binds them firmly with stout iron
truss hoop, and passes them to companion,
who adjusts them on lathe, between two iron
plates, which pressupo the ends and hole, the
new structure complete. The truss hoop is
knocked off, the turning tool removes the
rough surface. pad of sand-paper smouths the
wood, a hoop is slipped on and driven firmly to
its place by a s'driver' % This is yery simnle
invention; nothing more than an iron truck with
moulded edge, attached to the under side of
atlever fixed to the frame Of the lathe. While
the pail is revolving rapidly the driver does its
work in an instant and fits the hoop accurately
and firmly. Another workman receives the
half-fnished pail and thrusts it into hollow
iron cylinder upon another lathe which holds
1t firm A knife is adjusted upon q rod which
works in slot in the frame of the lathe. Push
ing this forward into the pail the inside is dress.
ed smooth, and at the proper point the work
man presses upon small lever, sharp-point-
ed tool is thrust for ward and the groove for the
bottom is cut. The upper edge is achampered
off, and the pail no W goes to the bottomer
The thin boards for the bottom having been
planed by machinery, are cut into proper,
lengths, the clear pieces saved for bottoms,
while those containing knots are used for
box-stuff. The tub bottoms are made-of two
or more pieces, with the edges glued together
One of these squares of board is put into a
lathe and held in place between two iron faces.
The tool-rest is graduated for the different
"~~SSt SANo SooAA 40 Wv W oAdpC III ultuuJc, Tie
edges finished, the bottom is dropped into
pail, few gentle taps with an oak stick puts it
in its place. Another workman places the
necessary hoops, the ears and handles are put
ON and the finished pail goes into the painters
hands, Oak PAL mt pals is another specially,
manufactured by contract chiefly for the paint
and lead works of Messrs. Burgess, Febes &
Co. of this city. The annual production of this
class OF goods is $4,000 per year, an equal num-
Der OF tubs, as many more small keelers and
about $3.50 doz. water pals. Fifty thousand
boxes for canned goods are also made. About
fifteen tons of hoop iron and rivets, six tons of
wire, 1000 pounds of tacks and an equal weight
OF ears are consumed yearly, besides six tons of
rye straw and 800 pounds of spun yarn for
packing pals and tubs for market. Add to
this an unestimated quantity of paints and var
nish. Messrs. Kendall & Whitney of the city
are the selling agents of the firm, and find the
best market in Maine, the local trade of Port
land taking considerable amount of the manu-
features. Mr. Clement Maxfeld is the super
intendent of the works, a thorough mechanic
and very successful manager. To his courtesy
and the politeness of Joseph Walker, ESQ.,, one
of the stockholders we are indebted for visit
to the works and an inspection of the factory
ttf------------- ft TLl
TEMPERANCE MEETING AT CRY HALL.-City
Hall was only about half filed last evening,
owing to the bad weather. But the spirit of
enthusiasm was present, and the exercises were
animated and effective. Mr. Howe, President
of the Reform Club, presided. Prayer was Of
fered by the chaplain, Rev. E. P. Thwing; then
Mr.. 81. M. Bryant of Lewiston, for twelve years
slave to drink, was introduced. Mr.. Bryant
is an off-hand, energetic speaker, who tells his
narrative of personal experiences with pathos
that is really affecting. He addressed himself
especially to moderate drinkers and pleaded for
the law of love rather than legal enactments as
means of reforming men. lstiIZl -.t
Hon. 7. III. Hubbard of Biddeford, followed
Mr.. Bryant, speaking about an hour, and Civ
ing one of the most logical addresses on the
subject that has been delivered in Portland this
season. He said the reform movement had al
ready made such an advance as to prevent any
one from attempting to injure it; but the meth
cd of its continuance was a matter for serious
consideration. 1t had been said by its enemies
that it would be brief. True, there are Difficult.
ties in its way; but the efforts of the workers
to give good cheer to the inebriate are entitled
to the prayers of all good men. The greatest
danger of the movement is too great reliance
on law. We have to do with the heart; this is
one platform. There is no argument for in
temperance. No man can take the opposite
position and be an honorable, honest moral
agent in the community. The social drinkers
claimed a good deal of the speakers attention
whom he spoke of as the guards of the enemy's
OutpOsts. Over them is placed higher law
the law of morality, and it is their duty t.
cheerfully obey it, to sacrifice custom injuri
GUS to others and of doubtful issue for them
selves. He closed with plea for the encour
agement of those who had forsaken evil way.
and are endeavoring to lead upright lives
DIR. Haley, President of the Biddeford Re
form Club, spoke nearly half an hour at the
| close of Mr.. Hubbard's address, and the meet
ing adjourned. The Portland Band was pres
sent and gave some good music, and collec
ton was taken up for the furtherance of tn,
reform movement
HYMENIAL.-The nuptials of Hon. George F
Shepley, Judge of the U. S. Circuit Court fol
this district, and Miss Ellen Merrill, took plac,
at the residence of the BRIDES mother No. s.
Winter street, yesterday forenoon, Bishop Nee
ly officiating, assisted by Rev. Edw'd Y Hincks