1 1 1 



when solid ; hence it can be put beyond the attacks of 

 bacteria — which require a certain degree of moisture — 

 before the setting in of taint ; 



(2) that since all large bones and inedible portions 

 are removed while small ones are ground up with the 

 meal, the product is purely food of a very nutritious and 

 building-up character, and though costly, weight for 

 weight, as compared with country salt fish, it will be less 

 costly in reality since the article purchased will be 

 wholly edible and wholesome and not consist largely of 

 inedible matter (bones, skin, etc.) and of useless or 

 ptomaine-laden moisture ; after all, the Geestemund 

 product, consisting of haddock and other edible fish not 

 marketable simply because undersized, is sold at one 

 anna per pound ; 



(3) it can be compressed into small packages so 

 that its transport \vill be cheap, especially considering 

 that it will be all food and not bones and skin and 

 moisture ; 



(4) it will keep well. 



Hence fish mealing will form the subject of early 

 experiment, and shredded shark or dog fish may become 

 as popular in Madras as pounded shark in Japan. 



35. Canning is naturally one of the first items for 

 experiment since — 



(i) the process, properly conducted and checked, 

 provides a thoroughly sterilised food completely protect- 

 ed from the possibility of further taint while in the can 

 all bacteria present in the fish when placed in the can 

 are destroyed by a heat above 212"^ F., and their further 

 access prevented by hermetical closure ; 



(2) the product can be varied in scores of ways 

 to suit public requirements ; the containing fluids and 

 sauces, the oils and condiments used, can be modified at 

 pleasure ; 



(3) the product can be exported, and Indian cheap 

 labour and tastefulness would have a fair chance of 

 success ; the Japanese are believed to be succeeding 

 even in American markets. 



The disadvantaoes are — 

 (i) the cost of the plant ; 



(2) the necessity for delicate, rapid, and absolutely 

 honest handling it safe goods are to be secured ; 

 (3^ the final cost of the product'; 



