. We issuewith_this_ninxiber of our jnarnal a supplemental sheet
for the purpose of calling the attention of our readers to the works
and products of the celebrated Philadelphia House of Harrison
Brothers & Co., who have op od a Branch plaice in Now York, at
No. 1.6 Burling Slip, S. E. corn of Water Street. and in Chicago,'
with Rockwood & Blocki; No. 192 Lake st. and No. 20 Wells st.
Teo writer of this article has been privileged to visit their exten
sive works at Gray's Ferry and .lieneington in Philadelphia, and
.11:om personal observation and data courteously furnished by the
oroprietors, has prepared this sketch, which we trust will be found
interesting to the general reader, as well as to those concerned as
dealers or consumers in the various important products of this
iirm.
It will not be inappropriate, before speaking of the Kensington
and the Gray's Ferry Works, to make some ' briof mention of John
Harrison, who built the Kensington Laboratory and founded the
present house of Harrison Brothers le Co.
John. Harrison having received a scientific oduoation .in this
country, finished his studies under John Priestly, the celebrated
chemist, in England. He was from the first much 'interested in
practical' ohemistry, and was impreesod with the belief that many
productS whiob we had alwbys precured Iftom abroad could be
manufactured successfully hero, and thus' accomplish the two-fold
advantage of rendering us less dependent upon Great BKitian, and
opening up a new and important source of national wealth.
. Prominent among those, and of incalculable value in the Lilts,
--Sulphuri.e..A.cisl or Oil Vitriol, whirl has been not inaptly termed
the king of acids, arrested his a entiOn t riiiiiiit - tillyTtirerefore r hi:
first effort was in the production-of this important article, and as
early he 1793 ho-met with marked success. Looking back through
the lengthening vista of years to the dim twilight of those remote
days of American manufacture, We contemplate this enterprising
pioneer advancing with no uncertain steps towards the assured
success which his exertions merited, and we can appreciate in
some measure the feelings with which his successors may be sup
posed to cherish his memory, and the satisfaction with which they
may justly regard the Substantial supel'structure which has been
retired upon a foundation so ample andsecure.
In this connection we quote a short extract from a letter, ad
, dresseein November, 1808, by John llurrison to his_friend`plunnas
Jefferson, the President of the United States. At-this time it will
lie seen that he_was largely engaged in the manufacture of various
chemicals at the Kensington Works, and the letter is extremely in-
-teresting, as it gives in _his_own _words some_sketch_of_his-early
career,: "In the years 1793-4, I commenced a series of experinients
for the preparation of Sulphuric, Nitric and Muriatic Acids on, a
practical scale. In this attempt I succeeded so far as to prepare
them to the utmost perfection; but the high - price of the raw_ma
lerials,- (Sulphur and Saltpetre) the want of sufficient - dem - a - All;
and the easy intercourse with Great Britian, froit whence we ob
• tained our supplies, occasioned me to abandon the undertaking,
though at considerable loss; and from that time till 1804 I con-
tinuedin ray profession as chemist, content with preparing only
such of them as were necessary for the supply of my immediate
customers. _At this period, believing the consumption of the United
States to bO t sufficient foi: the support of the undertaking, I relin
antsbedmy business and devoted' the whole of my :attention to
this importhnt subject. t In order to perform it with effect both
capital and enterprise were requisite.) I employed $5OOO in the
construction of apparatus alone, which, had 1 failed in my en
deavors, would not have produced me 82000; but I succeeded. It
became necessary, of course, to increase-the works fel the purpose
of doing business on a large scale; because I could not expect the'
support of the venders or consumers of tlrse articles unless I
could give them assurances ormy ability to supply all their wants.
I consequently enlarged them to such an extent as-I believe to bo
equal to the supply of the whole of the United States, att
,I Lave
never yet had a demand for more than one-fourth of the quantity
lam capable of producing. I have since added to my establish
ment the different preparations of Mercury, AntitUti . n):, Copper
and many other articles of lesser . consequew3e, and have employed
- aEravapital 840,3002?
' From that time (1804) the work, went on successfully. The--
Acid depr"tment, however, was once entirely destroyed (it was
Supposed by an incendiary,)-but immediately rebuilt upon .a larger
scale,: To the products already named was added, shortly after.'
~ wards, the corrosion on an extensive scale of White Load, of which .
he was the second to manufacture in this country. Pyroligneons
or Acetic Acid apparatus was next constructed - , and front that time,
either by; him or his successors, Harrison B'rothers, the works have
been increased as fasCas the trade demanded for the produotionof
Colors, Rod Lead, Litharge, White and Brown Sugar of Lead,
Alum, Copperas, Acetate of Limo, and of chemicals.. -
We close this preface with extracts from Freedley's "Philadel- ,
'phia," a work of standard excellence and authority, devoted to the
interests of that city and its manufactures: ,
"The manufacture oLehomicals in the . f
:United States may he
said- to date from the war of 1812.1 The commercial restrictions
"that Precededthat war caused such a scarcity and dearnesi of
Chemicals that the preparation of:the more,prominent articles
offered an attractive field for enterprise. Previous to that period,
however, a Philadelphian had established successfully a manufac
tory of 'Sulphuric Acid?this was Mr. John Harrison, the first sue::
coastal manufacturer of Oil Vitriol in the United States, and the
founder of the well known house of Harrison Brothers & Co., the
present proprietors of the 'Kensington' and `Gray's Ferry' Chem
cal, 'White Lead and COlor establishments. He had spent. two
years in Europe in- acquainting himself, its fur as lie could 'gain ,ae
cess to..them, with the procesties'hsed by chemists, and afterllls re:
tureto ArinSiica devotedbluself.to the manufacture of chemicals.
earlier he succeeded we 'have no means of, ascertaining,
'but in :1808 he was fully established as a mini faetiirer of Oil
Vitriol and other Chemicals in' Green Street above Third:'
Se sue
cessful'were'these operations, that in 180 T he had Wilt it 'leaden ,
chamber 18 feet high and wide and 50 foot long, capable of making
3500 carboys annum..-The price which the acid then. brought
Was 15 cents perpound.;The first application of Platinunr to the
concentration of Sulphueic'Acid'W - hs also,first attempted in Pliilh;
delphiriby Dr. Erick -, Boliman - ; - ho had fought, from' France .thn
method thendately'disenvered r. Waliastoti for converting the
orudo grains into bars and sheets,..and in 1 - 813 . 116 . had reduCed it
' into maseps weighing upwards of 2.lhS.,,andluto sheets more'than
'lB irichesliquare. One of the first uses to 'which he
,applied these
- . shoots was the making of a Tor John Ourri,son for:tho: concentration of Ins Oil Vitriol - . This earlY,.4plieation of
Platinu'in is 'highly creditable, Jo. the American nianufacturer
'..ifs use for this purpose was then'a novelty in Europe."' • '
‘'.
eContinuibg our from qie:above named work, we find at
Op) 198 the following:: • •
"Ilarripon BrOtlierS* Co., osiolishod)iyJohl'i Ttarrisori, to whom
wo havo already referred, manufacture ,WhitO Lead,, Rod' Lead,,
.Orango Minerakfor _Paper Stainers, and the 'Load
Chemicals gQner
ally, including Wititoand . . Brown Sugar ,Lead j . i :PilyVitriSj
• in •
. •
IMO
PREFATORY.
.
. . . ,
. .
~.. . . .
. . . . , . . . . . . .
. • ,
. . . . - ..
- .
- ,
A. .-
.... ,
- - :SIX' ~,..- TH.- E,
~..__..:,.....'•..........:: -...
:...
.. .„. :
.
. . , .. .
.
. .
~ . .
. - - •
. ,
._
• .
. .
Alum, Copperas, Sulphates of : Alumina and Copper, Pyroligneous,
Anotic, Muriatic and:Nitric Acids, Aqua Fortis, Wood Alcohol, and
a full line of Iftne-Colors in pulp, dry and in oil. The productions
of this house have steadily gained iii roputatiOn' and deservedly
enjoy a higli.charaeter Ow purity ana excellence!'
And again; page 216 - ; • • -
"Harrison Brothers & Co. have been mitnufacture*of White.
Lead since a very early period; and after Mr.. Wetherill are the
pioneers in its production in this country. On the completion of
their Gray's Ferry Works, now • rapidly approaching perfection,.
they will have the facilities for producing about 4000 tons per
anmim, which we believe exceeds the abilities of any establish
ment in this country or Europe. The productions at Gray's
Ferry will be in addition to those made at Kensington: In connec
tion _With_the; Lead Works is the Color Department, when) * they
Manufacture extensively Vermilions, Carmines, Wood-lakes, Blues,
,Yellows, Greens, Dry BlaCks, &c., &c. Private Telegraph Wires of
this firm connect their two factories and office in Philadelphia
with their office in New York, .and the establishment of such
between two. cities for. the uses of one enterprise is, we believe,
without parallel in this or-any-other country."
KENSINGTON
•
•,
B.
• :J 4
CHEMICAL WORKS.
We now proceed to give some account of the oldest of the two
establishments of this firm, namely, the Kensington Work; and
of the leading products which for three-quarters of a century
have been here prepared, and which, are recognized a'.:k.s„Aandards in
point of quality. We must premise, however, that our limits will
admit, only Of a cursory sketch, touching upon the more kaliont
points which met our observation while treading the numerous,
avenues intersecting the extended grounds of the Kensington en
closure, and passing .through its Series of buildings, the number
aAd:extiiiit of which may be inferred from; the fact that the aggro- -
gate roofage covers a total area of 'three and three-quarters aeres."
The first_step in the manufacture of Carbonate. of Load consists
in melting pig lead (of that quality which is deemed the best for
t e pro nation of VliitoLead) in-a-large-cast iron boiler or-kettlei
firmly set in masonry.. The melted - metal, sluiced off ( through an
aperture - at the bitse; is fed by a - trOugh into a series of iron imnil6
revolying on an endless chain; the lead is thus cast into tho firm
. of grates, :technically called buckles, weighing about 4 pound each;
and by -means-of-this arrangement-of revolving-mouldti-as much
can be done in nn hour as in an entire day by the old Method of
casting by hand. These buckles, as they fall from the moulds, aro
transferred by an attendant to a 'heap at the further end of the
foundry, to be convoyed thence-to ranges of buildings called
• STACKS OR BEDS,
occupying about the whole of -the lower part of the yard, where
may be found Load in the various stages of corrosion, all tightly
fastened up; and to be opened and emptied in turn, as the process
of carbonization is perfected. Some account of the - .
may here be fitly introduced. Those consist of frame structures,—
roofed in, and provided with double walls, the space between which
is loaded with tan. .In front.of each a , door rises the whole height
of the stack, to Ihcilitate Ito introduotjffr-of the materials, but
whit:ll is closed by boards placed cwwise tis the several beds are
erected. The method of 'ratting in a bed is as follows :—A
layer of. tan is spread evenly upon the bottom. On this aro
placed, strong ealqben pots,' which aro about 10 to 12 inches deep,
and say six inches in. diameter Lit the top, each glazed within,
and moderately tapering towards the base. Within thesp pots, at
a sufficient height from the bottom, project ledges or nipples,'upon
Which aro tiered the buckles of lead. In each pot is deposited
beneath these ,buckle:3 about a pint of acetic acid of proper strength.
Over the first tier of pots thus prepared boards aro placed, find on
therie' a layer of tan, fidlowed by a second tier of.pots, and this
process is comb:tied until the stack Is filled, when it is tightly shut
up and• the chemical—Trio:is take place. At the end of a period
varying from 10 toll weeks; the beds are opened, amt .- the, metallic
Lead, 'transformed into a beautifully whit& Carbonate .and much .
augmented in hulk; is taken to the
arid passed through a long revolving screen, slightly inclined,
thi•otigh the meshes of which the Cnrbonitte fulls like snow into
bins prepared for, its reception; while the Blue Load, which the
beds hnd failed to convert into Carbonate, is discharged at the
lower end into a' separate bin. It wore tedious minutely to follow
the various succeeding manipulations, and we will merely remark
that the ,Carbonate, after being ground in burr-stone mills, and
floated through various rectangular cisterns for purposes of leviga
tion, &0., is finally gathered and spread' in the form of pulp upon
immense drying-pans in the •
Deprived here of its water, the product of these manifold pro
cases assumes the shape of Pure Dry White Lead of Commerce.
The process described above is knoWn as the Dutch Method, and
has been found to produce this invaluable pigment in its utmost
perfection.. Up to this time no pigment lies boon discovered to take
the place of pure White Lead, and no mode of manufacture, except
as above described, has produced-a good and wearing paint. NoW
and quick processes" !have been , invorited,t. but all - have proved
failures and of short lifetiiii - prodtict pleasing the eye, but lacking
body or opacity, and durability. The Carbonate slowly - formed in
beds is more finely divided and presents a larger number of `Parti
elefi in a given bulk than by any other Ametlio ‘ d.. Consumer's who
deign to guard themselves against disappointment should abserN3
that the packages which they buy are branded„with the name of
Harrisonl BrothersA CoTor iionio-other reputable - corroder - by - ,the -
Batch process. In some instances, however, the corroderiwill put
Up hiii brand at the request and under the name of a customer, and
when the latter will select the best quality and is ono in whom the
dOnsuraer can have confidence, the prime qualities may be so bought.
But the dealer will he extremely alit to select a grade solely with li
a view to profit, and such may be procured at loser prices than
the puie'artielc, being adulterated with bitryW;i (worth two:ciente(
per pound), or zinc o . (Worth 'eight cents.) *These fancy and cheap • '
stuffs, too, n're always burdened with a larger profit than the
strictlipure brandson which alone the corroder puts his name..
Consumers will well to boar thesti - facts,in mind. ;
QM
.
To,,prepaie this article in Its .Utmost ;perfection the. finest pulp,
White .f 4 ead7iii - iniail and: great care is ohserved in oxidizing and
•w.asbing.., It is first roasted for many hours in Nreverheratory -fur-
Jute& Then, after milling, if t ,is thoroughly:levigated and pdt haclt.
into tlfe: farrifteki 'in' the foriii • ieinains till tife,:m 7
..qtfisite liittfation , is: reashed,, , ::., l .l'4ooo leading features", but
niceties of mitnipulatiem in the process
.:vtl*!4'Alie 1.440* of44ip: Biiitch.for,b4 : .ulkt4:describo' minutely,•and,
MEE
I , 4l l lckNirol
WHITE LEAD WORKS
CONSTRUCTION OF 1 4 ,6. E BEDS
MILL HOUSE,
KILN HOUSE.
ORANGE niNERAL.,
etPEMMIMZI._
I=lZl
. .
wo will only remarkthat the aim is to : lproduce an article, that
shall bo impalpably, fine and duitablo, fpi paper -stainers, and that
tho method pursued , in its
which
is that 'so ranch in factor
with the, Fronoh—a method which is found to bo far superior to thO
Engliah.orGerman.
ADM.
. . _ . .
The space occupied bYthese,works is vot:y large. At ono end are
the extensive sheds in which is stored the aluminons earth'f)Felay.
This is procured" mostly - from New JerSey. It is dried, and`then
ground and calcined in reverberatory furnaces. When thoroughly
calcined and purified it is next, while hot, digested for some hours
in immense vats of dilute Oil Vitriol. It . is then washed with
water, and concentrated—sulphate of ammonia having been pre
viously introduced—in suitabien.iparatus.. It is next, washed again
and freed from any remaining impurities, and- being thus double
refined and then boiled by steam in a Roching Kettle to a high
1- ilereo of concentration, it is finally transferred to the crystallizing
tubs. These are about eight foot high, and nititre of strong staves;
which are go put together in sections as to be easily separated. At
the end of eight or ton days,.these actions being removed, a cylin
drical mass of apparently solid.- ; alum is revealed. This being
pierced near the bottom, the mother-water at the centre flows off
along the sloping floor into vast leaden subterranean cisterns
- -
whence it is subsequently pumped and variously utilized. Those
'"Pillars of Salt," or, rather,
,of Ammonia Alum, as the product ,is,
called in commerce (it will be perceived from this very cursory
and imperfect sketch of its manufacture -that the article may be,
more accurately termed a double sulphate of Alumina "and Ammo
nia); these hollow cylinders of Alum, when pierced and cleft, are
suffiito stand tilFtho mdttWliquor hasu 7 tffilly drier 1 ott, and
aro th'en broken up and barreled for i the market. Each stub pro
duces about twenty-one
. barrels. This article is largely used by
Calico Printers in thflireparation of the mordant for their dyes,
(for which purpose freedom from iron is essential,) by paper and
color makers, by tanners, &c., and in medicine.
A very ingenious and important use to which Alum has been
-put deserves special mention in this connection : we refer to the
Alum and Dry Plaster Safes, made by Marvin & Co., at• their ex
tensive'works in thii . city; a combination for which a patent has
been secured. Dry Plaster is an excellent nOn-conductor of heat.
Alum, which is broken up and mixed with .the plaster in these
safes; contains a very large per centago of water of crystallization,
which is liberated at 'a temperature somewhat above 212°, and
affords thus..the most efficient protection - to tlie cenTentg ortt safe
that has ever been devised. About 25 to 30 barrels of Alum per
week are used by Marvin & Co. in the manufacture of their safes.
COPPERAS OR SULPHATE OF IRON
Contiguous to thd . Aliim grounds stand the Copperas Works.
Much of the Copperas found in. the market is of interier quality,
being mado from refuse liquors, such as the„spent acid from coal
oil' refineries and other impure materials: The - article- produced
at these - Works is made from iron turnings and shavings, acted
upon by dilute Oil Vitriol ; this solution is concentrated by evapor
ation and then transferred to _ a . . series of crystallizing tanks.
Various grades of Copperas are here made, •from the article Ihr
ordinary-dyersl-ptirposes to_the_better_g_rades_requireLforinlf ma
and Ibii;refiiiiirg - of Metals. no writer 811 W very lino speci
mens of Copperas. here prepared for photographic purposes‘,in
beautiful green crystals; '
RED LEAD AND LITHARGE
Between the eastern range of White Lead Beds and the spacious
Kiln House already referred to, where the pulp White Lead is
dried, stands the building in which we find the apparatus for pre
paring Red Lead and Litharge. To make those oxides pig load,
selected 'l:,om the product of the purest ores, is thrown upon the
spacious hearth or bed of largo reverberatory furnaces, of which
there are four with capacity to produce over a ton a day in each.
The Lead is melted by fires playing over it, and is kept constantly
agitated to expose new surfaces to the air which imparts oxygol
to the metal. (At the Gray's Ferry Works an improvement in the
oxidizing of lead is in use, which will be described hereafter.)
This operation is continued till nearly the whole of the lead is oxi
dized and a yellowish powder of oxide results, which is called
lifassicot. - This is taken out, ground and washed, and during the
process of levigation the oxidized particles 'l.)e:slg floated off from.
the blue or metallic lead which has escaped oxidation are put back
as pulp into the furnaces, dried; and then pulverized in burr-stone
mills. This-product is Litharge. By subjecting the pulp to the
action of the furnaces for a longer- time it absorbs more oxygen,
asAnines, a bright red him, and-is-converted into Red Lead, which
when properly powdered is ready for the market. .
It is a specialty' with this establishment to prepare these oxides
for Potters' uses, and for Varnish, Glass and Rubber manufacturef.s.
Their trade in these oxides,- is' more extensive than that of any
other firm in the country, and their brands readily command I to
cent per pound (anti ii :some districts by - a difference in freight, as
high as ono cent,) more than those of other makers.,Each package,
is indorsed Potters, Varnish-makers, or Glass-makei.s, accordtng to
its quality. And these evidencie of„quality aro- not placed upon
the packages,'nor aro the .goods sent into 0 market under this
" impriaiiitifr"”of Harrison . Brother s .& Co.,leintil the following pre
cautions have boon taken. They buy only the best brands of Lead.
Not satisfied with the trade reputation of these brands, they are
carefully analyzed. If they pass ,-11. satisfactory examinativthey
are then oxidized. To prevent even a possibility of error, a &Utica].
test is then made 7411 - OilAtind Gums' for Varnish, &c.; also on
Earthenware or Bisch , it, and with Glass in a retort. Ilavi,ng passed
these tests, theyltro--eonSidered applicable for the uses specified
and aro so indorsed.. The trades:spoken of; therefore, may fuel in
using the Red Load and Litharge, prepared by this firm, that they
do so absolutely-without risk, and With acertainty that their pro-'
duct, whether Flint Glass, Earthenware, Rubber or Varnish,.will
have proper justice done it.
-It is a too prevalent custom with White Lead tnanufacturers,
whoso metal ,has escaped complete corrosion in the beds, to.work
up the Blue Load which remains into Red Load and Litharge.
,These--refuse -scraps-may-not-ho- fit- for 'such-purposes, and con
sumers using products - thus made expose themsolveii to' serious
risks. They-are cheap-at , no price for consumption , unless accom
panied by a written guaranty against damage. Harrison Brothers
& Co.-, in common -with 'other corroders, have these. scraps over, it
is true, but they aro worked up into Pyrolignate, -Acetate and
Nitrate of 'Lead; and aro never allowed to go into the - departments
whore the "indorsed" brands aro prothiced. • •
PYROLIGNATES. - '
t d prominent, feature- at these Kensington Works-is the depart—
ment for the manufacture of Pyroligneous Acid, Acetate.of Limo,
Brown 'Sugar of Load, &0,.. Pertaining to this . department av
litige yard and wharf properties, whore may always be
. foetid.
etoicd .for distillation, 1500 to, 2000 cords: ofil . ard'wood. Across.
Ile area 4tends - alongline-of iron-tetortepSometof--whioh-(although- .
repaired
. and renewed from time :to time, until scarce a.restigi,"
'perhaps, of the original material romaine;) have, been in active use
for ,o_Vor forty yearK. From 1000kO 2000 gallons- PyroligneOus•
Acid are tho daily .produet;_ : together:With Boner. 600 bushels of
charcoal. The latter is principally Bold to .be-Vended through the'
city.
• These' retorts ai*.arranzed • in
,pairti ertd ' sot; 14 masonry,With
furimees beneath. '..TlieY,consist .iron: cylinders, three or
four feet in diameter, w4joli whoa charged with ivo - od, tire securely"
closed with iron boails.'''Jirinn these retorts copper pipes proceed
to conduct off tho'distillations, and condensation being effected by
submerging these pipesin tanks 4Scool-flanningwater, they are
discharged)nte,-a vat in . "tiro' 'erne - ,igneous:4ol4;i
is elevated brpumping• into '..Oistorils,!nnd' allOwed'icrsettle.
It subsequently passes 'through alembics • and: is' converted
Acetate, of 'ATM) (from Which Acetic Acid is distilled), or being
condUcted into 'the contig,nous:works is upod thelnanufaciaire.,of'
•, , •
BROWN . SUOGAR OF LEAD,
au nsed.in berfain VArili4hes; PrinG Virorliii; , by
Color 4akersjAwl for.,RUr Purposes/, In its preparation, lAtbarge,
placed ittlitbs`,As.Satiirati4,!with l'yroligneons
. .
. -
is net boiled •in . largo copper kettles. During ebullition ally
empAreuinatie impurities
by
may appear are carefully re
moved. When reduced by evaporation.to a crystalizing point,
the liquid is poured into iron pans and .f 3 et away to cool. It
hardens in brown candy-like masses, - which are broken up and
packed in casks for the market%
COL - OR -- MAKERS' SUGAR OF. LEAD,
which breakS 'with a bright golden "fracture, is prepared with
great - or care from - distilled Acid, and during tho final stages it is
kept in a state of constant agitation. Much skill and experience
are necessary in the preparation of these important Pyrolignates
of Lead, and the products of this department of the works of
Harrison Brothers & Co. always command a preference by reason
of their superior excellence. This firm was the first, and for many
years-the only manufacturer of Pyrolignates of Lead in .thaUnited
States. But in 1863, or thereabout, the demand exceeding,Jheit
ability to supply promptly without neglecting products for which
the 'demand was ;equally imperative, others entered the field,\and
now in this department there aro several respectable competitors
Incidental to the distillation of wood is . the preparation of
WOOD ALCOHOL OR NAPHTHA,
the capacious alembics and other apparatus for the distillation of
which occupy the entire lower end of this apartment. Wood Al
cohol (Methyl Spirits) is much used.in lieu of grain Alcohol (Fithyl
Spirits) by Varnish Manufacturers as a solvent for Shellac, also by
Dyers for Aniline Colors, for• which latter purpose it seems to be
specially adapted, owing, as has been suggested, td acertain simi
larity of origin. In fact twenty parts are found to becqUal as a
solvent to thirty parts of alcohol, butte must be very, pure and
perfectly white. The article produced here is specially adapted to
this end.
PAINT GRINDING DEPARTMENT
In the second story of this . sectfon of the - Worms - are placed the
mixers, in which by machinery the White Lead is kneaded with a
suitable quantity of pure Linseed Oil. When thoroughly mixed
the pasty mass descends to the first story, where, after being finely
ground through two mills, ono of which empties into the. other's
hopper, it - is'discharged.into tubs and is ready for packing. There
are two tiers - of those mills, (those iu the upper being fed from the
story above, and grinding into the lower,) having an aggregate
capacity of seven to ten tons per day. Here are stacks of cans
of all sizes,-of—me;tallie pails, kral of wooden -kegs,- for _receiving,
the White Load. The wooden kegs are carefully protected by an
interior coating of Shellac Varnish,.which in a great Measure pre,-
vents absorption of oil. The patent iron: ehns, hoWever, which
are used by this firm appear to be, as regards the quality of work
manship, strength and durability of material', eXcoedingly'de, , iirable,
and the oil not being, absorbed, as in the wooden kegs, paints of all
kinds can be kept for years -unimpaired; so strong are they, too,
that shipments unprotected by packing may be f3afel3 made to any
distance. We were much interested in observing the unerring
celerity with which, by an, exceedingly ingenious but simple ma
chine, these metallic pails, when tilled, were in the twinkling of an
eye topped and securely sealed with strong tin lids. ,
OR PAINT AND VARN,TKI ItEMOVER
This article was invented and patented by Howard C. Kearny,
and the patent and eXclusive right to manufacture were purchased
by Harrison Brothers & Co. It is prePared in-a building adjoining
the Brown Sugar of Lead Works, which is properly equipped with
apparatus for making the -necessary mixtures. This substance is
in the form of a paste., It is easily applied and will remove the
harvest- and oldest paint from any surlhce in abc4d, thirty, uninutes,
without scraping, and without injuring the wood or making it unfit (
to receive fresh paint. It will remove varnish from elaborately
carved furniture and prepare it for Mi.( The cost of removing
paint from old shutters,-&c., by burning, is about twenty-five cents
per foot, and the'wood is apt to be damaged by charring; by this
Resolvent, the work can be done, in much' less time and without
the slightest possihility,of damage to the wood, fbr three to -four
cents per foot.
We visited other departments which the limits of this article
will not permit us,t6 dwell "upon. Glancing for a moment into the
Boiler Room and inspecting'tho
00111 k(0ON 40 011.11$ pil
and adufirable workmanship, the noiseles
,pulsations of whose
Titanic arm, communicated by gear or belt, and speeding from
shaft to shaft, are felt throughout these extended works, we re
turned to the office and Were surprised to find that the better part
of a day had been expended in an examination of this ancient
establishment. We had no time to more than glance at the
EXPERIMENTAL LABORATORY.
which adjoins the offiee,'but had the pleasure of a brief interview
Wiih the accomplished Analytical Chemist, whose skill is most
valuable to the concern, and highly appreciated.
At one end of the office a aoor opens into an apartment where
sits, amid relay, key and sounder, ,
THE TELEGRAPHIC OPERAT9R:f
While conversing with this gentleman an incident'occurred which
served as an illustration of the magnitude and manifold facilities
of this concern. A message flashed over the firm's private wire
from New York : Can you ship us by ropeller this P. M., three
tons Pure Lead in oil; five casks Orange Mineral:and 2;000 lbs. Brown
Sugai• Lead. Answer immediately." The qffick ear of the operator
caught and his rapid pen, received theiiiessage. Reffirence to the
stocklbook showed that the goods were on hand and in shipping
order. An affirmative answer was promptly returned to the Now
York office, Where the sales were effected and reported, necessary
instructions word glven to the shipping clerk, and presently heavy
trucks, laden with the goods, filed past the office.
'he writer -cannot conclude hasty--andimperfect. sketch
without adverting to one, noticeable and interesting feature at
these Konsinomii Workq, lie refers to , the few venerable pen
sioners of the firm, who haWing spent, the best years of their life
in this establishment, and some of whom, we doubt not, •well re
member when its enterprising founder, John Harrison; first broke
ground here and constrUcted his Leaden Acid Chambers; neivat
a ripe old, agi3, fro Sty but kindly," - sun themselves in thesse_ .
avenues as cherished stipi;iitriaries,,or may be seen bonding with
silver hairs over tasks which cheer'but not fatigue their impaired
activities, and serve to beguile the tedium inseparable to the de}'
cline of lifh. • •- - ' ' ,
•
.CANS N- cioncAt wolls
•
CANTOR!, BALTIMORE, D.
•
.•
• These Works have just been completed, and are for the manufacture,
of PYROLIGNEOUS ACID, CHARCOAL, ACETATES' OF LIME
AND SODA, WOOD ALCOHOL, RED AND IRON LIQUORS,
&c., &c. .
They cover an area of about one and a half to two acres, and will con
sume about thirty, cords of. wood per day. A, description of like apparatus
has already been given ill-our account of the Kensington LabOrgior y, in.
Philadelphia, under the head of PYROLIGNATES. Thesd..Canion
Works produce the raw materials' for many-of the•hrupottant Chemicals
madeat,Gray's_,Ferry--sttehlts Acetic Acid, Acetate of 'Lead,',Varnisii;
besides increasing Harrison Brothers & Co.'s facilities in the manufac
-Cure of their SylVan, Lisle and other Greens; Yellows, &c., and render
them entirely independent of all foreign supplies of acetates,
„ ' We should think the establishment Of these Works, too, In Bahl
niOre, indicates an e,Mire-absence of sectional feeling with this firm; as'
it identifies their interests so closely wit ,those of the South,
For Many YearS, it; iS 440, this faetorkwlll be a consumer forthe
lauded proprietors and wood choppers ofVirginia, North I larolina and.
Maryland; and, .at. the Same time as it furnishes them a revenue frond
their timber: it will serve to. clear the-land' for its more important puli
Ovation. WO•hopeour Southern friends. ill talte,note of thoestabilsh-,
Mont of.lhe 'o,ciaton .Oheptioal Works at Baltiroose, And shbw their ap
preciation 0400 fact by-their
r patronage of Harrisoitußrotitootdr..Cols'
=
I 111,1
POSTSCRIPT.
EMMiI
TESTIMONIALS.
MILFORD, Oct. 4, 1869.
Messrs. Harrison Bros. &Co.
Gents :—Y,our Farmers' and Planters' Phos•
plate has done (for me) first rate in every
respect atthough the wheat was sowed very
late it came out tip-top at harvest.
ALBERT SMITH
Messrs. Harrison Bros. & Co.
Gents :—Your Farmers' and Planters' Phos.
Onto, tried side by Side with the best brands,
has proved itself equal to any or all.
WM. P. BESWICK.
_
Messrs. Harrison Bros. & Co. •
Gents :—I have tried your Partners' and
Planters' Phosphate, and consider it as good
as any in the market.
ANDREW S. MALONE.
MILFORD, Sept. 28, 1809.
Messrs: Harrison 8r05..& Co.
Gentlemen:—Your Partners' and Planters'
Phosphate, as sold by S. Jenkins, under a fair
test bas proved itself equal, if not superior to
the very best brand sold lit this section of
the State. •
NEUEMIA II BENNETT
Messrs. Harrison J3ros. & Co
Gentlemen:—Your Partners' and Planters'
Phosphate, as sold by S. Jenkins, has proved
upon a fair, and impartial trial, to be in every
way superior uport corn to Pacific Guano,,
which costs 8611 per ton. - The corn was
larger, greener, at)d tliv , -ears much. finer,
and for sorghum ieexcels everything.
MILFORD, Oct. 4, 1869..
Messrs. Ilarrison Bros. & Co.
GENTS:—Your Thosphato AS SOld - by - S.
Jenkins has- proved ut)on a perfiwtly fair
trial to bo equal in every respect to the very
best.
Messrs. Harrison Bros. & Co.
_ The Farmers!_ancL_Planters' Phos—
phate; upon a fair trial, has 'come out equal
to the very best" sold here..
Messrs. Harrison: Bros. & Co
Gents:—l tried three kinds of Phosphate
last fall, viz: Crowsdale, Moro Phillips', and
Yours: at harvest your fertilizer was 'de
cidedly ahead. I also tried it on corn, and
it did exceedingly . well,—far bitter khan
Whan's. Yours,
NATIIANIF,L HOLMES.
MILFORD, Sept.. 5, 1869
Messrs. Harrison Bros. & Co.
Gents:—We tried your Phosphate 7110Og-
Fido of the best brands sold in the 'State, and
pronounce it far ahead of them•all; so much
so that we shall want three more tons this
fall
Ci-ritlemen'i—T put tibmit 200 pounds per
:1 , •!•!
, VOlll. l'110,:p11/11.0 011 IIId1:111 (:01'11; (1:0
li'.rt f • nr oxeci.iio,l iikiwytiitimisi
lia.l n um , anal if it wort, l ossthlu it
hay() been ashamed of itsclf.
IV. 11. C.\
Messrs. llArris,on Bros. & Co.
Gent s :—I have used your Farmers' anil
Planters' Phosphate alouggide ,of stain u•d=
lertihzors, aml eensid t er- it equal to atly
them.
.31:iirciitn, Oct. 7, ISII9
Messrs. ilarrison Bros. 8 0 ', CO,-
Gents := - 4 have Used your Farmers' aml
Planters' Phosphate in the same field
More Phillips', on wheat, and thund it equal
in every respect.
Messrs. Harrison Bros. & Co
Units:—l have not only tried your• Phos
phate myself, but have soon it tried by
(*hors on wheat, corn 'and cane, and have
no hesitation in pronouncing it a veryt-s9•
pei•ior fertilize•.
ROBERT W. BItOWN
Mossrs. - .llnrrison Bros. & Co
Gontletn,en:—l need somo of your
and last fall,. and lilcod it so well and I
want more,
JAMES 11. HAMMOND
Messrs, Harrison Bros; & Co
Gentlemen :---I tried your Partners' and
Planters' Phosphate of Lido, on wheat, corn;
and sorghum; on the corn and cane it netoil
splendidly, on wheat it was fully up to Moro
DAVID . K. WATSON
111ILFoan, Oct. 8, 1869
Messrs. Harrison ]3ros: & Co.
Gentlemen:-I. have haed your. Phosphate
on wheat, rye . ; corn, oats, potatoes and sor
ghum.,: It.luts given very satisfactory re
sults, It had an almost , magical effect on
corn, although
,it got less than 200 pounds
per acre: 100 poynds per acre had' a V dry
fltriking_efree Loix_o , j. ,
The sorghum was pronounced the best ro
ceivcd at the molasses factory. Thu wheat,
and potatoes did well. •
Messrs. Harriaon • BrOs. & Co. " ,
Dear Sys :—T. have given your FarinoW
and Plantarti' Phosphate a far trial, and can
say pcisiMly that it ie fully equal te,
lips',ot• any sold kayo. • , '
, •
• • •
JOSIIUA BENNETT'.
Messrs. Ilarrison Bros. & Co
Deitr 'Sirs :--I ••tri94 youi, rarmOrs'• and
Phosphate of Limo along
'iddo, • "-' and can say
oonsciontiouqly', thrq fully if
not a " •
,TO,IIN TijRl3Y. .
G. 11. DUSIIANS
JOSHUA TA LB EnT
DANIEL 13171 M
GEO. W. lIOMES.
CHARLES BARKER
Yours, truly,
R. L. BAKER
Yours,
S..j - ENKINS