The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-04-17
DOWN AT THE CORK FACTORY.
ONE OF yHE NEW AND THRIVING IN.
HUsTRIEs OF NEW ORLEANS.

II 40 gratifying to notice the increase OF home
manufactures and the evident determination on
the part Of our more energetic classes to build
UP new Industries In our city. Within the past
few months quite number have sprung up,
and we are glad to say they are being well sup
ported.
Yesterday we visited the lately established
cork mandatory, at No. Al Royal street. now
being run by company, under the supervision
OF MIR. 7. Il. Cusachs. The air OF hustle and
stir about the place attracted the attention. and
entering the spacious building we were con-
fronted by high piles of cork bark. Just as it
came from the tree. It is In sections, some
fur or five feet In length and two or three
broad, having thickness varying according to
its age
The bark is taken from the tree every six or
seven years. leaving behind thin coating
which soon thickens.
AND A NEW BARK
commences to grow around the trunk. The
growth of each year can be readily seen in the
cork BY the thin lines Of demarkation or rings
According to the season this is sometimes
thicker or thinner as 1t Is propitious or not It
was easily discernib'e and easy to pick out
Of the trunk whore It had been exposed to the
weather. for they were rough. having deep
crsases running through them and resembling
The cork received by Mr.. Cusacbs comes
principally from Spain. where It is packed In
bales held together By rough cords.
Passing uD stairs one is surprised at the
activity presented. The crowd Of operatives,
the keen sound OF
THE REVOLVING KNIVES
| and the movement Of the cutters make the
place scene or much life.
The sections OF the cork bark are selected from
the floor below according to the sizes to be man
ufactured. and cut into blocks about two inches
iln htr l{nr do tod For I'm
purpose. These blocks are then taken to the
cutters. which are revolving hollow cylinders
lust the size OF the cork to be made, the end Of
which cylinder is sharpened as finely as 1t can
be. The block Of cork Is then placed In position
and movement OF q lever presses 1T against
% cutter. The round cork then passes through
he hollow cylinder ana drops into basket. As
| soon az the block has been completely perforat.
ed. and there. 10 not enough " It left to make
The basket. after. bong flied. is then carried
to tapering machine. Il tapered eorks are de-
sired. where bevel is cut upon them.
| spectors. Some fifteen girls are seated In a row
at long table. and before them 10 pile Of the
kets Each girl picks up 9 cork examines It to
see whether there are defects, and If 1t is not
serviceabe It is thrown into certain basket, Il
depository for the first quality; If only slightly
| porous 1t goes into another.
IT Is REMARKABLE
| with what dexterity and exactnnss the girls can
detecr the several qualities. me capacity 81
,he factory s $50. 900 cnrks per day aud this will
| b. doubled soon as twenty-five new machines
| are soon to be placed In The building.
We learned that this would give employment
| o fifty men and girls Even with tht. tncI ease
| the demand for this home made article 10 80
great that 1t will be kept busy to fill all the
orders. At present this city alone buys all that
| can be turned out. The quality is found to be
| of the best and the different shapes and sizes.
from the tiny one for the vial uD to that for the
| taste Of the purchaser. 1t is worth a stroll
| down Royal street to 70 through the factory.
where courteous reception awaits all visitors.