Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-02-02
SAUERKRAUT QUEEN.
Tho Proud boast OF clyde, II Little
Town In ohio.

Town In Ohio.
Nine-tcnths of the American people
If asked to locate the kraut making
ccnter Of the world. would point to
Germany, little approaching that this
distinction now belongs to town in
their own country.
Kraut making. like other Industries
which have long been synonymous
with the name Of some foreign coun-
try, has in recent years been found to
excel, Mt least in some important par
ticular, in the United States. 1t is as
serted that there is no one place in
Germany today in which rs much
saucrkraut is produced as in the town
of Clyde.
In the territory about Clyde arc
1000 to 1000 acres of land in which
nothing but cabbagcs are planted.
Each acre is expected to yield not less
than ten tons of good cabbaGes. The
bulk OF this crop is used in the kraur
factories, although small portion is
shipped 10 the outside world. The
farmers haul these cabbages TO tina
factories at the opening of the Eraut
making season and usually receive for
their loads Sc to 81 = ton, although oc-
casionally the price drops TO Il third OF
this amount. When the cahbagcs arc
bringing COOL price the farmers
make Il large profit from their fields.
1t is not unusual for growers about
Clyde to receive 100000 for their sea.
sons crops
Tho cabbagcs after coming from
their storage quarters are handled by
inspectors. who scrutini2e them closely
and then hand them 10 the cleaners.
The core is taken out by skilled work.
men, after which the cabbages ara
placed on continuous carrier, which
delivers them 10 the grinders. The
grinders rapidly reduce tho heads Of
cabbage to slaw.
From the grinders the cabbage next
goes in is chopped form to the rcceiv.
Ing tank, in which the requisite amount
| Of salt IS added. The sailed cabbage
IS now ready for the watts in which tht
stamping operation IS carried on. These
| vats hold rs much rs 100 barrels each
! The stamping is done by mon who
| wear rubber boots made for the pu,-
| pose Great care is taken to have ey.
| erything clearly in connection with
each operation The kraut IS allowed
| to ferment two weeks and gather
strength in its own juice. Then it is
| placed in barrels and sold at whole.
sale at about 500 a barrel.
1t Is not unusual for one factory te
grind a hundred tons Of cabbage in
single day. The season usually eX.
tends over Il term Of about two months
and Il half. beginning about Sept. /.
In this time perhaps tho output Of
single factory will exceed $4,000 bar
rels.
| The kraut making industry calls foi
the making of barrels \ kraut bar
rel cannot be bought for less than
dollar, SO in the production Of the
town 1t IL not unusual for $4,000 OF
$4,000 to he expended for barrels
| The making Of these barrels Is carried
OH in the vicinity anf thus adds to the
prosperity of the kraut making center.
Other places are beginning to make
| kraut on large scale in the vicinity
Of Clyde. and thus tie industry prom
iscs to spread over y larger area. Belle
vue is trying 10 rival clyde this sea-
son and has bon doing big business.
1t is propho'ed that next seasons
crop of cabbages in Sanduslly county
will exceed that of any previous year,
il the season is favorable one. More
| farmers are growing cabbage, ana
| those who have been in the business
several years are preparing to increase
their acreag Minneapolis Tribune.