138 MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN VOL. Xlll, 



torests by river to the numerous saw mills ; excellent drain pipes 

 are available at the various tileries. 



The necessary cost of the buildings is therefore very moderate, 

 and the actual cost depends on their size and the fancies of the 

 canner. 



Quarters should be built close at hand for all the more perma- 

 nent and superior staff ; this adds immensely to their health, comfort, 

 and readiness to serve, and it is otherwise good policy in keeping 

 them close to the cannery ; it also tends to protect the people 

 from infectious diseases which may prevail in the neighbourhood. 



228. Plant. — This has been described in the body of this 

 bulletin : it is impossible to give actual cost since everything 

 depends on the character and methods of the cannery, to which 

 must now be added the great rise and uncertainty in the cost of 

 machines. Exchange is sometimes favourable for buying in 

 England such plant as steam-boilers, retorts and autoclaves, 

 presses, guillotine plate cutters, etc. Much of the minor plant and 

 fittings can be locally made, such as all necessary tanks and vats 

 (metal, wood, or masonry), all solderers' appliances, small machines 

 such as body formers and closers, etc. 



Washing and lavatory appliances for the staff are necessary. 



229. It is suggested that soldering work could be made more 

 rapid and yet efficient with automatically heated soldering tools ; 

 petrol air gas is easily and cheaply made and could be supplied 

 under slight pressure direct to the tools as in modern canneries ; 

 this would save a very great amount of time and insure the proper 

 heating of the tools and the consequent fluidity of the solder and 

 perfection of the joint. Cylindrical cans, moreover, oi the capped 

 variety can be closed in a second or two by employing proper 

 cylindrical cappers of the size of the cap; the cap and solder (in 

 wire or drops, etc.) being in place, the tool is placed upon the 

 can pressing it down centrally; the cylindrical capper is then 

 revolved by one or two alternate half turns and the soldering 

 is complete. 



It is also suggested that in this climate where the edges of cap 

 and can are apt to rust if the cans are made and kept in stock, so 

 that the solder does not adhere — a cause of great loss — , the cap 

 should be ' hemmed ' which is the American technical word for 

 caps edged by the manufacturer with just the amount of solder 

 necessary ; this edging of solder prevents rust and waste of solden 



