308 Philippine Journal of Science i^ 9 



Frequently a soy-sauce manufacturer will smile at the ques- 

 tions asked him and answer: "We pay workmen to tell us 

 those things. Why don't you do the same?" 



The methods of approaching Chinese with regard to the 

 process of manufacture are intricate. Unlimited time, knowl- 

 edge of Chinese customs, and courtesy are all important fac- 

 tors to success. It is often necessary to work through three 

 or four Chinese before the man can be secured who will properly 

 introduce one to the manufacturer from whom accurate data 

 are to be obtained. Many hours of friendly chatting over tea 

 and cakes must be spent with these men before the business 

 in hand can be approached. But when the final introduction 

 takes place, one is treated as an old friend and every courtesy is 

 tendered. 



The manager of a large sauce-manufacturing plant, On Shing 

 Lung C£ fife £), at "West Gate" (g J»j) Sai Mun, was ap- 

 proached with this method. He has given full access to his 

 books, allowed his head workmen to spend hours talking and 

 answering questions, and has shown a keen interest in the in- 

 vestigations. 



THE EQUIPMENT OF A SOY BEAN MANUFACTURING PLANT 



Grounds and buildings. — The equipment in the largest estab- 

 lishments is very meager and differs from the small establish- 

 ments only in capacity. In the average factory about one-third 

 of the ground is covered with one-story buildings, which are 

 usually built of gray brick and roofed with Canton tile. They 

 are divided into storerooms, boiling shed, workmen's quarters, 

 and mold room. The buildings usually surround the four sides 

 of the plot, with a large court in the center for the sunning of 

 the soy sauce. 



Boiling shed. — The shed in which the beans are boiled is 

 large enough to store sufficient raw materials for one boiling 

 and for the board on which the beans and flour are mixed. The 

 iron pan fit wok (|f |?|), in which the beans are boiled is 

 semi-spherical, varies in size and pricey and is sold by weight 

 at about 14 dollars local silver 3 for 100 catties. 4 A pan large 

 enough to boil 700 catties of beans can be purchased for about 

 100 dollars local silver. Its diameter is 52 inches, and its depth 



'Local silver, at the present rate (1918), is worth about 1.05 dollars 

 for 1 dollar Hongkong currency; 1.30 dollars Hongkong currency are worth 

 1 dollar United States gold. 



* One catty is equal to one and one-third pounds. 



