Connecticut western news., 1875-10-22
The Poquonnock Mills.

and the whole of Rhode Island, may be
 appropriately denominated the Nations
 machine shop. The area mentioned is
 literally covered with cities, towns and
 villages devoted exclusively to manufactur-
 ing interests, and there is scarcely an article
 of consumption demanded by the human
 family but what is made in some of these
 mills. Among these manufacturing centers
 of Central New England is Poquonnock in
 this state, which is located on the Farming
 ton river; ten miles north of Hartford and
 sixteen south of Springfield. While on a flying trip to the central portion of the state
 last week, we took nasty look about this
 place, and in some of the mills located
 there.
 Poquonnock is not large village, in fact is quite small its manufacturing interests being its exclusive strength, and these, like those everywhere, are source of vigor- ous and heahldul vitality to the place, Probably the most important of the Poquonnock industries. are the extensive
 woolen mills owned by Austin, Durham 6 Co.,, of Hartford. These mills, the .' Poqu- onnock" and the "Tunxis," are among the largest of their kind. The "Poquon- nick" is devoted to the manufacture of worsted suitings, for mems wear. The goods made at this mill are made exclusive ly of wool, not vestige of anything else, being permitted to enter into their manufac- ture. Their wools are largely imported, quantities being obtained by the agent of the company in Australia and New Zealand. A considerable amount however is purchas- ed in California, These wools, after they are received at the mills. are first passed into washing machines, and by them are carried through solution of soap and water, after which they pass through heavy rollers to press out the water and thence over steam rolls to dry them. The appear ance of the wool after i. has passed through these washers is pretty conclusive evidence that these washing machines approximate far more nearly to perfection in cleasing machinery, than has been obtained by those giving their attention to their construction for domestic purposes. for the wool is thoroughly cleansed by them, and left a perfectly white, silky down, indeed beauti- ful to behold. ,-l.".. u' From the washing room 1t goes to the carding department, where are eight sett of cards. thence to the spinners in the Mule and Jack rooms. In the Mule room are four automatic mules; each carrying 450 bobhins, and in the Jack room are several of these " animals, with 240 bobbins each. To see these automatic machines do their work is sight that will astonish novice in the woolen business. The long frames (about 60 feet in length) advance, as it were, to get new hold of the threads, after which they begin slowly to return, the multiplici- ty of spindles humming and buzzing like huge swarm of humble bees, till the thread is twisted to exactly the right spot, when clank, whang, goes the clump of | intrincate machinery near the center of the frame, and the wheels geering is changed, and back the long regiment of bobbins 90 again to repeat the operation on the next take" of yarn. And so they will continue their work, the one man who has charge of l the machine, ,standingwith folded arms to see | that all goes well with this animated combi. nation of wood and steel. A greenhorn will necessarily look. as many as two or three times, to convince himself the concern Is not actually endowed with life.
 From the Mule rooms to the weayer's departments is but step. Here are 3e looms, and about 30 of them were going the ether day, which were quite enough, if nolse was all that was desired, for it seemed that each vied with the others in it's efforts to be noisy. The bewildering confusion of whack-bangs was enough to make deaf man thrust his fists in his ears. The Pulling and Gig rooms were successively visited, as well as other departments of this immense establishment. Each and all having much to interest visitor .
 This mill employs about 16o hands and produces some of the finest goods for mems wear to be found in market. They are of the various grades of texture from l3o threads to the square inch down to 40 threads Some of the finest bed blankets we ever saw are made here, and which command price at wholesale eff Sl, ,O0 per pound.
 THE TUNxIs MILL"
 Which is located about quarter of a mile from the '' Poquonnock," is another large establishment of this company, and although originally large is rapidly becon- ing larger by the erection of an extensive addition. the dimensions of the new build- | ing being l50 SC. As our space this week | will not admit of an extended description | of all we saw of interest at this mill, brief sketch must suffice, ...'.
 The manufacture of the finest worsteds | in fancy colors is the extensive business of | these works, and probably no finer goods | can be found on the continent than we saw | here. The worsteds are finished and wound | on hobbins to be used in the manufacture | of all manner of fine woolen fabrics at | other mills, and so great Is the demand | from other establishments for them, the l works are run to their fullest capacity to supply the demand. Mir. Samuel Me,calf who is superintendent of this mill, has invented and constructed comhing machine for removing from the wool, the short fbers, or nois, as they are called, and it is indeed wonderful machine, doing it's work in @ manner far superior to any other machine. Not being able to do justice to the machine, we'll not attempt it's description, but It will suffice to Say the company value it very highly, land MT. Metcaf is paid roundly for this product of his genius.
 The Hartford Paper Co.,, have extensive