The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-06-29

4 HOME INDUsTRY.-Sevcral weeks ago We
announced that Messrs J E. Graham u j. ii.
Picker of this city, had formed partnership
under the firm name OF J. E. Graham u Co,
for the purpose of establishing n mandatory
of fertilizers and supplying the farmers OF TINS
section with number of excellent brands OF
those chemicals which are now deemed SO IN
dispcnsable to the growing OF large crops
The increase in the use of fertilizers IN
Augusta county within the past few years has
been remarkable. But comparatively short
time ago the application of chemicals to the
soil hcreabouts was almost unknown. only
few of the more advanced farmers were will
ing to try the experiment. Soon, however,
the trade began to increase until now 1t
reaches tens of thousands of dollars annually.
The larger portion OF the money paid tor Ter
tilzers goes ont of the State, and it was to ar
rest this outflow ofcaptal that Messrs. Graham
& CO. conceived the idea of establishing IN
Stanton a large mandatory; where the raw
materials could be worked into serviceable
shape, and the handsome percentage realized
by foreign concerns, retained here, to circulate
among our own people With characteristic
energy they set to work to mature their plans
and lay the foundation for a permanent and
growing enterprise. One of the most eligible
lots for the purpose was purchased and the
work of erecting buildings commenced. These
buildings have been rapidly pushed to compile
ton, and the entire works will be in full
operation by the 10th OF July.
The buildings, two in number, are located
on the Valley railroad, east of town and near
Wits mill. Both are of heavy timber and
built with view to facilitating, in every pos
sible way, the handling OF the materials. The
first is 25X45 feet, two stories and will be used
more especially for storchousc. 1t is now
filled with quantity of chemicals, for the
manufacture of the fertilizers. Bones, beef,
blood and other ingredients are gathered up
from the city and county, and these are to be
mixed in proper proportion with the foreign
substances. This building is connected with
the main house by an inclined platform, over
which trucks can easily be rolled. The main
building is 60X30 feet, With q four foot plat
form running around the entire second floor
The upper floor will be used to receive the
supplies and forward them, it being nearly on
Il level with II side track of The railroad which
runs in front of both buildings. This floor is
connected with the lower floor by shute,
| through which the material is sent below, and
with bucket elevators, by means Of which it is
brought up. At the northern end of the lower
floor will be large bone crusher and mill,
and mixing machine. Between these two
the elevators run, thus making it easy to con
yey the supplies to and from either. The
| lower story is SO situated with reference to the
side track Of the railroad that cars can be I'M
loaded directly into ii, without any further
cost and trouble than simply getting the ma
teral ont of the car The facilities for UNI
loading coal are also admirable, the coal house
being located SO as to receive its supplies by
graviation from the cars. Outside of the
large building will be the engine house, sup
| piled with Il 16-hOrse power cngine--one OF
the stanton Iron Works best make. 1t will
| lC seen, butItlDIc, tuab MtSSIS. ~ 70
have established their manutactory for perma,
ncnce and with an eye single to facilhation in
handling stock. Everything almost will be
handled by machinery and mechanical cuntri-
yances, thus materially cheapenng the cost OF
operation. Their machinery throughout will
be of the latest and most improved patterns
and equal in all respects to the best made
The capacity of the works will be 20 tons per
day, OF 40 tons when 81 hour runs are made
The brands of fertilizers TO be manufactured
are the Augusta Wheat Fertilizer" 1.-The
Graham Star Phosphate" Material Mixture u
and "Staunton Fertilizer" Several of these
brands have already established fine reputa-
ton, and their success has been attributable to
the fact that only the purest and most reliable
chemicals are used, not Il pound of adultera-
ton or make weight being allowed. Each ar
ticle works directly on the plant itself or on
the other ingredients of the fertilizer. render
ing them soluble and easily assimu.ated with
the plants. In preparing the formulas for
these goods, the first consideration was the
study OF the soil and its requirements, then
the needs of the crop and then the best way
of supplying those needs. After years of care
full study and experiment, the present brands
are offered with every confidence that they
will fulfill their design. The excellent results
reported from all parts of Augusta county
this season are pointed to as abundantly testi-
flying to the adaptability Of these fertilizers to
the Valley soils.
Mr.. Frank d. Pinkerton, for some years
connected with the extensive fertilizing manu-.
factory of Baugh & Son, Philadelphia, and fol
several years past engaged in the business in
this city, will be the superintendent of the
E. Graham q Co. works.
The establishment of this industry is an i'm
portant step in Stauntons march to manufac
turing prominence. We trust and believe
that 1t will prove big success, and hope il
will be followed quickly by other enterprises
which will result in making this city one o.
the first in the State.
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