They made different sized barrels to make containers for various food needs, too. A million does sound like a lot for a small town in 1892...., but if memory serves, I think somewhere (either in past transcriptions or a not-yet-transcribed transcription), VOLLMAR's placed an ad, mentioning they had a large contract with a company elsewhere that needed these. During this same time period, I recall seeing ads requesting hoop poles, placed in other small town newspapers, by companies located in a major cities. Has anyone on the list been able to open the 'hoop/coopering' dictionary site? http://www.princetonimaging.com/library/mechanical-dictionary/idxH.html -Kay > Subj: Re: [MOJEFFER] Hoop Poles > Date: 6/24/2005 8:46:59 AM Eastern Standard Time > From: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > > If they were used for ladies skirts, barrels, and wagon wheels....a million > > would make sense > LOL