136 MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN VOL. XIII, 



2X8. Large fish are not everywhere available in quantity and 

 only in certain months ; at present much dependence cannot be 

 placed on large fish which — if of the cannable classes such as seer, 

 pomfret, bamin, etc. — are seldom obtained in large quantities under 

 present modes of fishing ; moreover, under present modes of 

 handling or mishandling in the boats, they are often past the fresh 

 stage when brought to the cannery, especially as there is every- 

 where a strong local market for large fish. 



219. Carriers- — With the aid of motor carriers, or even of 

 canoes (which might be fitted with a motor), a cannery could usually 

 command fish, particularly sardines and mackerel, during the sea- 

 son, especially if ice is available. But this adds largely tp the cost 

 of the fish. 



220. Oils. — As mentioned in the body of the bulletin, the oil 

 question in Madras is one of much difficulty, especially at present; 

 olive oil is out of the question ; refined groundnut is scarce and 

 very dear; cotton seed oil is hardly if at all obtainable ; coconut 

 oil is impossible owing to its specific flavour which cannot be 

 disguised; gingely (til) oil is also of too strong flavour ; A-i 

 sardine oil mixed with groundnut or cotton seed oil may be used for 

 packing provided it is really A-I, viz., fine yellow, free from 

 stearine, with but slight fishy odour and flavour; the slight fishy 

 flavour is not objectionable with sardines being the fish from which 

 the oil is obtained ; indeed it enriches the flavour especially with 

 poor class, lean fish. 



221. Fuel is fairly cheap on the West Coast and very much is 

 not required ; good wood for the steam boiler may be Rs. 7 per ton : 

 charcoal is abundant. 



222. Tin plate. — At present this has to come from England or 

 America : the present price is more than double the pre-war price. 

 The gauge and quality differ according to the size of the cans and 

 the mode of producing the cans. Cheap tin plate as often found 

 in the Indian market, is a mistake, being of poor steel with an 

 insufficient coating of tin. 



Decoration. — Ordinary tin plates are plain, but they can be 

 obtained as decorated plates which saves labels, lessens rust, and 

 gives a very good appearance. 



223. Labels. — When the plate is not obtained ready decorated, it 

 must be labelled ; labels of metal foil are neat and effective, and 

 can be made to adhere firmly by a special cement and not by 



