Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-12-15
Paris FIGURING Company.

UFfs ItONITHD tOmVUHU'
The mill al the Paris FIGURING Company
is located on the Little Androscoggin
River. at South Paris, Maine. II Is the
largest grisl mill in the State with one
exception. that of q new one in
Saccarappa.
Each yeat it receives 10000 bushels
of wheat. and 20, eco bushels of corn, which
are manufactured into $4,000 barrels 81
-four and $4,000 bushels OF meal. The
mill has been in operation, day and night
during the past fall, turning out 100 bar
rels of flour daily.
The mill proper is a long two and
halt story building, painted red, and built
upon the margin OF the river. 1t is sup
piled with six water wheels, three
Houston aud three Bodne.-giving a
combined strength OF 100 horse power.
All grain is received on the first floor
into pair Of Fairbanks grain scales, OF
) tons capacity. From the scales j, is
dropped into the cellar. where 4 screw
conyeyor olevates it to the upper story.
Here iroughs and bins are arranged to
receive and carry it to every part OF the
building. when II is required. The bins
have storrge capacity OF 10000 bushels
After the wheat has been stored. and is
ready for grinding, it is lowered 10 a
separator, upon the ground floor. This
machine is designed To separate all for
eign substances from the wheat. l. is
done by system OF oscillating screens,
Alter separating. the wheat is passed 10
the stones and ground There are three
sets Of stones on wheat. each OF which
grinds 400 bushels in u hours. As soon
as il is ground the wheat meal is elevated
10 cooler in the upper story. The
cooler is large circular trough in which
revoves a rod, extending from side 10
side. This rod is provided with angular
DANCES extending downward and inward.
which gradually draw the meal toward
the centre, where il falls through small
aportu,es and is carried to the bran
duster. which divides he brand from ihe
h0ar
Iae mill i provided with Hunter s.
whittsmore purifier. which Ia largo aud
somewhat complicated maohIce. Il Is
arranged with a system of fans and screws
which blow and suck all foreign sub
stance, bran, etc. from the -four. This
is the best and most expensive machine
of its kind made. The Hour is packed in
barrels manufactured by the company In
their own cooper shop, located on the
opposite side OF the street. A number
of men are employed during the winter
season, in securing proper lumber for the
barrels. After II has been secured and
cut in convenient size il Is stored near The
shop 10 season. Work is constantly be-
ing completed by the coopers, as the com
pany has large demand Tor barrels from
farmer. in the vicinity. who consider
them superior for packing fruit.
Corn does not 60 through so many
processes in course of manufacture Us
the wheat. 1t is passed through the con
vevor directly TO the hopper aud ground.
Formerly 1t was carried directly into bags
after grinding. This made it necessary
for man to be in constant attendance.
To avoid this extra work n new bin has
been arranged into which the grinders
can empty their contents for whole
day. When any meal is desired, small
slide is removed from the bottom OF This
bin. and il will fall into bags arranged
to receive il.
The company owns the fine site and
water privilege on and near which the
mill is located. which enables them 10
control power and keep sufficient supply
OF water for their own use in the driest
weather When the supply is sufficient
they lease power to several manuiaclur
ing companies near the mill.
Several brands OF -four make by this
company are deseryedly popular, and
are sold far and near. New machinery
enables them TO make the best flour from
what was formerly the poorest grade, on
account of the bran, etc, which it con.
tanned. Several parties ale continually
engaged in purchasing the best brands of
wheat and forwarding il 10 the So, Paris
depot. where the company's teams receive
and convey ii TO the mill.
We are indebted to Mr.. r. +. Doten,
agent and manager, for information given
and attention shown on our recent visit
TO the mill.
A stranger to the business can scarcely
obtain n full knowledge OF all its work
ing, or give an accurate description OF
the machinery from the observations
made at one visit; but, probably. the
reader can obtain general idea OF the
vast business done by this company, and
of the labor necessary to the production
of complete barrel OF -four.