The Republican journal., 1900-03-22
A Revolution in the Lime Trade.

Ano hOCKlan0- Rock OrJ LlHe COupduy
whose organization was recently announced
in The Journal has already begun operations
and bids fair to create a revolution in the
lime Trade They are now making aud SHIP
ping very large quantities OF lime. Their
proposed fleet of barges will, of course, re-
quire some time for construction. The
Rockland Opinion thus summarizes the
changes proposed by this company:
Making the casks by machinery at greatly
reduced rate.
Shipping lime by barges instead of YES
sells.
Extending wharves and erecting addition
al sheds.
Acquiring full control of the available
supply OF good limerock so located as to be
probably used.
Securing full control of the lime market
The making of lime casks has been quite
an industry in this county. Many are
brought to Belfast for shipment, and others
are hauled to market What the Opinion
| says as to the manufacture of casks by ma
chinery will be read by many with interest
The company have installed one set OF
machinery for making casks, which is in
successful operation, and intend to put in
another plant of equal capacity at an early
udS- lucy are turning Uub U6GWeen D,UUu
and 5000 casks per week, at a cost vari
ously stated by people who should know
OF IL to II 1-2 cents each. The price of
casks during the past year has ranged from
Is TO IL cents, the average being somewhere
about IA. The saving already effected
amounts to a considerable sum, and the
company intend to manufacture all the
casks they use, and expect to produce them
for 10 cents each or less Later on, they
may erect a mill and Manufacture the slaves
and beads, thus etfecting further saving.
The process of making casks by machinery
was introduced by A, j. Bird & Co., some
three years ago, and was described by us in
detail at the time This firm, we understand,
mas not been able to turn out casks by the
process at much less than ii cents each.
The machinery used by the R.-R. company
Is said to differ somewhat from that used by
BIRD q Co. With the exception named, all
casks in the lime bushes IS in Knox county
have been made by hand, and it has been
quite an industry in itself. Most of the
manufacturers have had cooper shops, and
made portion of the casks used by them.
But vast numbers were made by farmers in
| the Intervals of their farm work and small
cooper shops are seen on farm premises for
70 miles around the city. They are hauled
INTO kockland, RockpOrt and ThOmaSton in
racks. In former years, casks We're sold for
70 cents each; that was when line sold for 81
and 81 % The price has gradually fallen,
ness; the farmer practically gives the ma
terlal and works for wages upon which he
could not 1--we except that he regards the
casks as a by product,and what he gets from
them as so much clear gain. Nevertheless,
the industry will be missed IN the surround
ing towns II 1t is wiped out by the machines
in Rockland. There are large mum Der of
mills employed in saving slaves and heads,
and II the company take the business a con-
siderable amount of capital will be practi-
cally destroyed.
The lime will be shipped in barges, and as
previously stated the company has contract
ed with fl rm on the Delaware for the con-
struction of six iron barges and steel ocean
tug. to be delivered at Rockland in six
months from date of contract. The barges
will draw II feet Of water. They will
bring coal, not only to supply the kilns, but
also to serve the general trade all along the
Maine coast, at Portland and other points,
to the extent OF their capacity, so they will
carry full cargoes both ways. The barges
will load lime at Rockland from three de-
pots-one at Atlantic wharf one at the
group of kilns on the Point, and one at the
Nortb-end. The wharves will be extended
to deep water, and sheds erected over them
The barges will be grounded at low tide,
however. Each of the four compartments
will have a hatch aud the loading at all of
them will proceed simultaneously. Double
hooks will be used, handling two or three
casks at a time. The barges will be equip
ped with masts and sails for use in emer-
gencies. The accommodations for officers
and crew will be similar to those on board
steamers.
The Opinion evidently thinks that this
company will be able to control the lime in
dustry in this section and if 80 it will not
only affect the local industry of manufac-
turing lime casks, but our coasting trade as
well.