Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-07-27
SUMMER BEVERAGES.
Inc Scribe Visits the Novelty Soda
Works
and Learns How Soda, syrups, and
Oxen are Manufactured.

The Journal scribe wandered across The
"f4hge Yesterday, and hearing a peculiar
sound issuing from the old Academy build.
ing cautiously entered and found himself ir
the midst of one of the new industries M
augusta. The place in which Chief Justice
Fhiler laid the foundation for hi,
success, and where many eminent men re-
ceNed their early training, after being unoc
eupied for many years, has been converted
INTO the bottling house of the Novelty Soda
Works
on one side is long table filed with
empty bottles of all varieties. from one II
three pints in capacity. On another is a
large tank through which the city water i,
constantly running. and in which the bottle.
are washed before using. Mr.. Fifeld. the
energetic superintendent, was busily engaged
IN bottlIng lemon soda when the scribe en-
tered bottle is placed in a framework
and two pipes, one of which connects with
the soda tank and the other with vessel CON
tanning the lyrup are introduced into the neck.
Pressing knob opens one of the pipes and
two ounces of syrup flow into the bottle. The
soda water is then admitted till the bottle over
hows' when stopper is Immediately pressed
in and wired down.
Under how much pressure do you put up
soda?"
From sixty to seventy-fve pounds"
docs the strain ever burst the bottles?"
''Not very often They are warranted to
sustain a pressure of ninety pounds. Some
times, however, the glass is poor and they
cant stand it. few days ago two bottles
which had just been filed went off with a
loud report treating me to shower bath
and filling the air with broken glass"
Where does the soda water come FROM
asked the scribe.
1t i. made in these three tanks. each of
which will hold twenty-seven gallons. This
first one is called the generator Into it are
put SIX gallons of water, an equal amount of
marble dust and eleven quarts of strong sui
phuric acid. The acid acting on the marble
dust generates gas composed of carbon and
oxygen which is carried by tubes into the
other two tanks. Here it is thoroughly mixed
with eighteen gallons of Diamond Spring
water"
But where does the soda come in?"
THE only soda used in this business is in
the name" said Mr.. Fifeld, with laugh.
This gas used to be generated by the action
of acid on ordinary cooking soda, but our
method is so much less expensive that the old
way has entirely gone out of use The name
soda water still clings, however, and I've
heard good many people smack their lips
and say they could taste the soda
What is the syrup made Off"
Sugar and water, favored with different
extracts
What is the effect of soda on the system?''
"farbonated beverages are considered by
all physicians very healthful, and plain
soda is much recommended for stomach dis
orders"
What favors do you put up?'
Almost everything. Strawberry, ginger,
chocolate, and last, but not least, Oxien."
GLOW is the tlayor of the last preparedl"
''Ah, that is just what lots of druggists
would give considerable money to find out,
don't know myself what all the ingredients
are. Here is one of them, though. Try it
and see if it isn't nice"
The reporter accepted this kind offer and
to the intense delight of Mr.. Fifeld imbbed
small portion of dark fluid which is a
modern imitation of gall and NORWOOD.
That's Liebig's extract of beef. Now
try some OXEN and see if you can taste it,"
In the OXEN the disagreeable taste of the
extract is entirely destroyed by the winter
green which is mixed with it,
''Do you have much demand for O1ien?"
The call for it is already large and stead
lily increasing. 1t is well known throughout
the State and will probably have a national
reputation before another year. We send
away on an average twenty dozen bottles
daily, though often more is called for"
"Do people generally take it as a medi-
cne?"
"A great many find it strengthens them
materially. but the majority drink it because
they like the flavor better than that of any
other soda \ number of families order it
every week by the dozen. One gentleman
who has been mayor of Augusta says he has
felt better since using it, and is stronger
than when he returns from his health seek
ing European trips. We send him fresh
supply every week,
The bottled sodas are going tirst-rate and
the families who have once had bottle in
The largest order we have received from
one place was for a ten-barrel lot. We pack
about six dozen bottles in a barrel. The
seaside resorts are all taking the soda and it
can be found at Iammond's Grove and other
picnic grounds We received an order from
Waterville to-day for POO bottles of soda.
We have filed tanks for all of the Augusta
druggists but one. and could supply out-of-
town dealers if we had enough spare tanks. vt
"How much pressure has the water in soda
tanks?"
ave fill at about $50 pounds usually A
greater pressure makes the soda little toe
fosmy'
The works of the Company will probably
soon be enlarged so as to include the whole
building. Only two rooms are now occu
led.
After samplng several varieties of soda
and taking a look at the rooms where the
bottles are labelled and stored the scribe
departed.
Excursion of Highland Lodge.
The excursion of Highland Lodge, A. o
/ l. " ON tho Islanlnr Yesterday. arrived a