Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-07-17

At little after p. m. we arrived
at the Watkins plant. And with a
guide we were taken to the top of the
plant where the guide told us many
things of interest. To the right on
top of very high hill is a rock called
Sugar Loaf; told us of the schools
and churches, and last of all, told
us that the ball on top of the flag
pole was eight feet in diameter,
whereas it looked to be only two
feet or less.
Machines do Work.
Then down through the storage
rooms where tons and tons of the
different spices were stored ready
to be put into their respective ma
chimes, ground and mixed, boxed and
packaged, ready to be shipped out.
And say, face powder is made by the
ton. One sees it in barrels. Then
watch how the different bottles are
filled. Empties come on endless belts
to a machine that washes them, then
to machine where they 60 around
in a circle and are filled, then to
the Gaping machine. Caps are fed
automatically and as each bottle
passes cap is pressed into place.
Then to the labelling machine. Up
comes a label which is stuck to the
side of the bottle. Next a machine
folds the label on edges and pastes
it on, every label exactly in place.
They are now ready for packing in
various sized boxes.
Everything Automatic.
Then the tooth paste which is put
into tubes. Each. tube is exactly the
same as the next one. Then the
making of pills and capsules. Why
they are rolled around in large tubs,
probably bushel in each tub. Then
out on their different routes to be
counted into their containers by auto
matte counters. 1t is unbelievable
what machines can do. Then in their
printing department are printing
presses galore beyond the average
persons comprehension. So much is
done automatically.
Now we will step into the main
office which is full of desks and type
writers and lots of pretty girls, all
busy. Looking overhead we see %
chandeliers, each weighing 500
pounds, making total of 1000
pounds suspended in the ceiling.
Well, now it is p. m. and the guide
says let's 60 to supper, which we did,
to their dining hall which, I should
judge, would seat some 800 people at
one setting. Plenty of eats, and again
more pretty girls, some blends and
some brunettes. Wonder why they
smiled. Was it the Watkins make
up or was it the hayseed bunch they
had to wait on. Nevertheless we had
an excellent supper.
Enjoy Winona Scenery.
The rest of the evening was our
own so we all climbed aboard our
bus and with busy Gangelhoff as
guide landed at the Merchants no.
tel where we were assigned our
rooms for the night. The night be-
ing very warm some took in a show,
others took in the scenery. Winona
is city of many trees and beautiful
sights.
At $50 in the morning all were
called to be on hand for another
meal at the Watkins plant Then at
7:30 a. m. with a guide, two bus loads
were taken to the Watkins expert
ment farm. First of all to greet our
eyes were several white faced steers
on experimental feed. Then several
pens of hogs, also on experimental
feed. Then we went to the cow
barn where there were several dandy
cows. 1t was a very clean barn.
They use ground limestone and dis
infectant on the floors. From there
the guide took us to the poultry house,
explaining first one thing and then
another.