Los Angeles daily herald., 1874-10-06

lEShmcnt-T Process OF MRnufhC-
turing anhy-SOmething for Los
Angeles 10 be Proud OF
Yesterday, through the courtesy of
Mr.. +. L. Tarbox, the lessee and ope-
rator of the Los Angeles Distillery,
members of the city press were fur
nished carriages and polite invita-
ton 10 visit the extensive establish
ment across the river and witness the
opening of the Fall vintage. The dis
tillery has lately been refitted and
supplied with all the necessary ma
chinery and appliances for vigorous
prosecution Of work during the grape
season. The building itself is commo-
dious and well arranged, and every
thing about the establishment has
been brought to the most desirable
state of cleanliness and good order
Commencing with the introduction of
the grapes from a platform on the
southeastern side of the building, we
pass through a large doorway which
leads directly the crusher. The grapes
are packed IN boxes of n convenient
size, holding four pounds each, and
are thus carried in on tramways from
the receiving platform. About ten
tons were stacked up ready for use,
this being only a small installment
compared with the capacities of the
establishment, and designed only for
a short run to test the machinery.
-Four men were kept busy feeding the
crusher and at that, could not supply
the machine to its full capacity, which
is placed at over ten tons an hour.
After crushing, the pulp and juice
pass into huge mash-tub beneath
and the stems are carried out upon q
platform to be rinsed and afterwards
pitched off out of the way by work
man who stands by with pitch-fOrk in
hand. The mash-tub is IS feet in di-
ameter and has capacity of $500 gall
Ions. 1t is provided with large
sweep with rake teeth, which is kept
constantly in motion stirring up the
juice and pulp as it falls into the tub.
When filled and properly stirred with
its due proportion of water, the mash
is passed through pipes to the terment-
ing tanks on a lower floor. OF these
there are twelve of a capacity of 5000
gallons each, or an aggregate capacity
of $4,000 gallons. After remain
ing in the tanks for forty
eight hours, to allow proper
fermentation, the mass is allowed to
pass through fumes sunk in the floor
and leading from each tub to an un-
derground cistern holding 1000 gall
Ions. From this it is pumped at once
to the top of the building, where it
passes into a still with a 5000 gallon
capacity. This still is an immense tub
similar to the others, though much
higher, and divided into three COM
partme nts, one above the other, with
appliances for steaming and refining.
Here, in due course Of time, the mass
of fermented pulp changes to spirits,
in its passage respectively through the
three compartments, and comes out
through n pipe beneath and is con-
dvcted into the final reservoirs. These
are three in number, and hold each
1913 gallons. They are kept under
Government lock and key, and are not
accessible even to the managers of the
distillery.
Having passed through the whole
process from the grape to the brandy,
some general remarks concerning the
workings of the establishment may be
in order. The force of operatives con-
sists Of Mr.. Tarbox, the proprietor,
Mr.. Lucian Curtis, the Superintendent,
our genial friend, Il. jeff. White, book
keeper, and about thirty workmen al
together, in the various departments.
When in full operation, the establish
ment will consume about seventy tons
Of grapes daily, turning out for the
same period fifteen thousand gallons
of spirits. This distilery is the largest
in Southern California, and one Of
l,A Ion fntn In.
required a vast amount of pluck and
capital to set such a mammoth con-
Germ at work, and ii is to be hoped that
Mr.. Tarbox will be amply rewarded
for the step which he has taken. The
Importance of such a distillery to this
section of the State cannot be over
estimated, furnishing as it does a
ready market for one of the principal
products, and securing. the wealth in
our midst which would otherwise find
its location in San Francisco or some
of the larger cities.
After viewing the distillery thor
oughly and watching the manufactur-
ing process in its tuil operation, the
company were invited into a house
adjoining, where fine collation. was
in waiting, presided over by the emil
-nent colored artist. George Van
Buren. The viands had ample
justice doifc them, and the
health of Mr.. TarbOX and the sue
cess of his enterprise was drank in
many q bumper of sparkling cham
pagne. The occasion, altogether, was
q most happy one, and we can only
hope that the prosecution of his enter
prise will be as pleasant throughout
for Mr.. TarboX and his friends as the
commencement proved yesterday