The process of filling a bottle will depend on a number of factors including
the material filling the bottle, the year the bottle was filled, & probably the
closure to be applied.  In the period 1850-1880, the concept of "germs" and
sterilization were just developing, and would have impacted the methodology for
filling bottles.

For carbonated beverages, there is a reference you might want to check out,
although it is for the year, 1907, somewhat later than your target period.  The
original book called "The Bottler's Helper" compiled letters of advice and
suggestions from more than 700 bottlers to other bottlers and it was published
by Blumenthal Bros., Philadelphia, 1907.  Some of these letters touched on
filling bottles with carbonated beverages.  A more accessible facsimile of the
original book was prepared by Ron Fowler & published by Dolphin Point Writing
Works, Seattle, 1988.  For milk bottles, you might want to look at John
Tutton's "Udderly Delightful," Published by the author, Front Royal, Virginia,
1989.  Tutton covers the period 1860-1945.

Allen Vegotsky
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