The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-10-06
A GROWING INDUSTRY.
Wheeling Catsup Factories and
Canning Establishments
GROWING III IMPORTANCE YEARLY.
some idea of the Immense Quantity
of Tomatoes Grown Near Wheeling
and Consumed IN the City, and Yet
its Neglected Product--It Yields
Good Profit to Farmers.


sumed in the manufacture OF catsup
thus season, by the Wheeling firms en-
gagged in that business. the average
price paid for this enormous crop OF
tomatoes, which is mostly raised by
farmers residing in this vicinity, is
twenty cents bushel, very nearly Sl0,-
600 being distributed among them,
which proves a good source OF revenue
70 all engaged in the raising oil this
fruit. For tine past TOUR or i've weeks
they have been busy hauling wagon
load alter wagon load to save the yield
before the frost set IN and satisfy the
demand OF the factories.
The general way OF disposing OF them
Is By weight, allowing Sixty pounds 10
the bushel. This enormous weight,
1860 tons, which is almost doubled IN
manufacture, is spread broadcast al:
most over this entire country and
Europe. This speaks well for the repu-
tation the local manufacturers have
achieved in the past eight or ten years
BY tine excellence and purity OF their
goods. Almost every factory IS now
running over time, and some both day
and night, this being the close OF the
season. In a round made yesterday by
an ISrELLiGEScEg reporter to the va
rious factories he found every one run
ming in iull blast, with huge piles oil
boxes OF tomatoes packed around in
every conceivable nook and corner, and
wllil more pouring in. The season be-
ing an exceptionally good one Tor the
ye enable, and the asst ten days OF warm
weather ripenIng them very last, all the
factories are ende4vOring 10 take care
OF tie surplus before they spoil
Even with the big amount OF raw
material on hand, some oil the proprie-
.Ors were complaining VI their scarcity
aud wondering why the farmers do not
take advantage OF the demand and raise
larger crops, when this would be such
a big source OF profit 10 them. All
agree tina; there are no better tomatoes
raised in the country than those pro-
duced in this vicinity, especially on the
hill tops, where they grow tine best and
have better flavor.
The factory OF the firm OF George 4.
McMechen & Sons Co., who have at
tanned a high reputation both in this
country and abroad as the manufacIur.
ers Of the fiuest grades OF preserves and
bottled goods, is one OF the busiest
Spots in the city at this season OF the
wear. In every department OF the con-
Germ on all sidss employees were en-:
gagged in canning and botlhng goods OF
ali descriptions. The entire third floor
is devoted 10 making catsup. The con.
Germ consumes from 10000 to 5000
bushels OF tomatoes in season, besides
using $50 barrels OF apples DAY.
Another big industry is the making OF
mince meat, about three tons daily be-
ing turned out. This work, along with
the preserving OF finer goods, presents
a scene OF industry that is very attrac-
tive to visitors. The output OF catsup
is from four TO five thousand bottles
daily. They are shipping goods as fast
as they can be turned out. No less
than FIVE cars were standing on their
switch waiting to be loaded.
This firm also ships considerable
amount to foreign countries. They are
constantly increasing their capacity,
having on hand now a numberof pieces
OF new machinery, recently purchased
in England, for the manufacture OF
finer goods-making orange marmalade,
pitting Of cherries, seeding cucumbers
and preparing other fruits. These will
be placed in position as soon as the big
rush is over, and arrangements can be
made for more room.
Bremen & Mabis, who have recently
embarked in the manufacture oil catsup
and bottled goods, are making rapid
strides forward in the industry, and are
turning out about 800 bottles OF catsup
a day. They recently placed on the
market a new article called Berwick
Pepsin Sauce, made from tomato pulp,
which is rapidly meeting with favor
and being used extensively in place OF
catsup. tits the intention OF the firm
to embark in the business even more
extensively next season, having secured
the old match factory, across from the
Terminal depot, where they will have
better shipping facilities.
Flaccus Bros, who ere about as ex-
tensiYely engaged in the business as any
firm in this section OF the country, are
running day and night in order to keep
up with the big rush. They have been
compelled to make double time Tor the
last four weeks. At the present period
they are so pushed that it is impossible
for them TO complete the manufacture
Of catsup from the intense crop Of
tomatoes that has poured in from the
country during the past ten days.
They boil these as fast az they arrive
into pulp and store this pulp ava, in
cool cellars, in order to keep it sweet.
Their preserving department and vine
gar factory are also running tull
j. W. Hunter, on Main street, is also
rushing things along a: a rapid rate.
The spice mills and making OF caisup.
which are the leading features Of his
factory, are away ahead OF last seasons
output. II is the expectation OF Mr..
Hunter TO get into his new and more
commodious quarters at the south end
Of the stone bridge by next December,
where he will have increased facilities
for larger output next season.
Added to all these big factories en-
gagged in the making OF catsup, there are
thousands OF housekeepers engaged in
making the article for home consump-
ton, all OF which means big consump-
ton Of the tomato crop raised in this
county and adjoining ones.
WheeImsn's Notes.