One of the Big Vats is being filled with Royal Ann cherries to be made into the marichino. These vats are filled with an acid bleach. Boys dump the boxes as they come from the conveyors, while another stirs, since they have a tendency to come to the top. This is only one vat that extends in long rows to the left of the picture. This image was taken at the Willamette Growers Cherry Co-op. in Salem, Oregon.
The alkaline waters of the Eastern Oregon lakes are places in these vats and allowed to evaporate in the sun. The residue then is collected and the nitrate is extracted. This picture was taken on Sucker Creek in Malheur County. The American Nitrate Company is building up an important industry here.
