Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-07-29
A Day with the Merry MilIers.

Inc grinding OF the mills is merry music,
The great old wheel is the bass drum in the
melody. The growing interest of
Augusta county has dotted them all over
its wide-reaching territory. Every reflect
ing farmer, and all who consider the i'm
portance of bread supply has warm heart
for all of them-whether it be the primitive
tub on the mountain rill, or the great high
establishments of Staunton, Waynesboro'
Middle river, Messy Creek, North river
South river, Christians creek, at, and ad-
jacent to Greenville, etc.
Under the old style of management
which, as yet, mostly holds sway, the sharp
ening OF the burrs is at this time about
over, and the busy grinding season has
commenced. Provide as they may for the
time of hoisting the burrs, after which. for
season, there is no more grinding. manv
households. away off in the remote corners
run out of breadstuff The happy day
when grinding commences is one of general
JOY to all who have been on short allow
ance.
Ingenuity and mechanical skill have of
late years introduced new methods. ponu-
larly styled 'sthe patent process, in turn
ing wheat into flour. It originated in the
West, and served a great purpose in adj
vancing the interests of the Western mil
lers in transferring expectation to South
America from the Richmond mills and the
large establishments of Trieste in Austria.
This new style has been adopted by all the
larger mills in Virginia, and is gradually
coming into use in this section. Our Staun-
ton millers. Witt & Holt, have used it for
some years, and recently enlarged their
grinding capacity by the introduction of
additional rollers. Mr.. Bowling, on Middle
river, has it, and Smith g. Patterson at
Waynesboro', are also prepared to enter the
lists with the new method. Without accu
rate knowledge in the premises, we would
say that WITT & Holt can produce fifty
MI Bowling seventy-five, and Smith g.
Patterson one hundred barrels of flour per
day, which is rapidly taken up by the local
and the growing demand, constantly in
creasing, for their products at various points
in Virginia and West Virginia.
Some who have not investigated this mode
OF making flour, are under the impression
that it is MASKING process entirely. That
is mistake. The refining process is by
corrugated rollers, producing the flour in
globular particles as distinct as the sands
of the shore, or the hairs of the head. The
microscopic test is highly interesting.
Our city establishment with its present and
projected improvements is highly credita-
BILE to the enterprise of the proprietors A
brick, tire-proof elevator, Immediately op-
posite the mill, will soon be ready to receive
wheat 1t will hold 10000 bushels, and
the mill-house can store more, so that the
storage space at command is at least 25, 900
bushels. The miller in charge, M. W.
Roudabush, handles himself with expert
ness and fine tact. He seems to know
practically all about the responsible duties
of his place, and has Investigated much in
his calling, in its relation to science. Mill
ers are generally jovial and extremely good
natured. They come next to the producer
Of the grain, and share alike in the warm
affections of the many they daily make
happy. q