Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1888-08-09
SALEM FRUIT EvAPORATOR.,
A Thriving lndustry--A Great
Public Benefit Deserving
Of Success,


10 say embarrasses, a newspaper
man, JOURNAL reporter yesterday
turned his blind eye towards the
notice mo admittance," and enter.
ed the main entrance of the William
ette Valley Fruit Company's build
b ing. His excuse was simply that
where was so much activity and
business there must be something
of interest to the readers of a coun-
| ty paper. Mr.. R. S. Wallace, who is
personally experimenting the
works, was just starting to show
some visitors the various operations,
and the writer joined the procession.
First, the fresh fruit is delivered by
wagons, or cars switched from the
railroad track to the door. Then it
Is sorted so as to secure only the
sound article. They are now work
ing with plums, chiefly greengages.
These are dipped for a few moments
in a solution of lye, which affects
the skins, and makes the drying
process more rapid and satisfactory.
They are next subjected to a slight
action of sulphur, for bleaching pur-
poses, after which they are placed
in single layers on trays, which fit
in cases on wheels, forming minia-
ture cars containing 6Obushels each.
These are wheeled to and placed in
the evaporator with a capacity of
nearly 500 bushels, about a days
work with the small plums. But of
apples, l,50O bushels per day, are eX-
pected to be put through, in place
of only 800 before the enlargement
of the establishment this year.
Fifty persons, many of them young
women, daughters of worthy and
well known residents, are now en-
pIoyed, but it take will 75 as soon as
apples come in. Mrs. c. c. Walker,
of Zena, has supervision of the girls
and their work.
The power was supplied by a
wheel on the mill race the water Of
which runs 10y the premises to the
large Touring mills. But this being
inadequate to the increased need, a
Boynton furnace has been put in in
addition to less powerful one pre-
viously used. The temperature is
admirably adapted to the design,
and is capable of very nice regula-
ton.
After the drying process is com
pleted, the trays of fruit are eXamin-
ed, and any portions needing more
subsection to heat are put aside for
another turn at the evaporator. Any
defective pieces are thrown aside.
The rest are in due time placed in
sizable boxes, made on the premises,
and subjected to a pressure that re-
duces the bulk to 60 pounds in each.
These are all legibly stamped "WiI-
lamette Valley Fruit Company, Sa-
lem, Oregon" quite an advertise
ment in itself, and which it would
be no wonder if some of our enter
prising "boomers" should follow up
by getting permission to slip into
each box a brief, descriptive and il
lustrated circular of the town and
valley where such fine fruit is
grown. The large egg plums and
prunes make a much finer display,
as the fruit is more meaty, and the
stones proportionally smaller, not
adhering to the fruit but freely slip
ping loose. They are also glossed
over with sugar syrup, to add to
their attractiveness, before being
packed.
The total value of the plant, evap-
orator aud attachments, is $4,000
Fruit comes in from all directions,
the local supply not being at all
times sufficient. 1t has been i'm
operation three weeks, and is expect
ed to ocontinue till the beginning Of
December. Besides the supplying
of material and labor for building,
and the pay roll Of employees, the
consumption Of wood for the fur
mace is quite an item of expenditure
for the good of the neighborhOOd
An addition 10 the storehouse is
being built. The desire and inten-
ton Of Mr.. Wallace and the rest Of
the pampany is 10 add frnit can
merry a. soon as the prospect for its
being profitable is appare mt.
Mr.. Wallace has set out on his
large, new orchard, thousands Of
trees Of the kinds most desirable for
canning.
The different land agencies in
town are wisely putting on the mar