14-^ 



the manufacturer is able to make a living profit on a 

 small business, it is clear that we can do better than 

 even Japanese prices which, again, are lower than 

 ordinary European prices. I propose then to develop 

 this business both for export and for domestic trade. 



13. I propose then a cannery near Tellichery * which 

 is a great sardine centre ; there is a French canner 

 of Mahe who operates in British territory close to 

 Tellicherry, and instead of competing with him I hope to 

 co-operate with him. Canning is a delicate operation ; 

 toxic products are more probable and more virulent in 

 badly canned fish than elsewhere, possibly for the reason 

 that it is the most toxic in the early stages of decay and 

 becomes less so as decomposition develops ; hence when 

 slightly decomposed fish are canned, decay is stopped 

 but the virulent toxic elements may remain, especially if 

 the cans have not been heated well above boiling point, 

 say 240° F. to 250° F. under 10 or 15 lb. steam. 

 Similarly, if perfectly good fish are not thoroughly steri- 

 lised by good processing, decay may slowly develop and 

 with it the peculiar toxic elements of decomposition. 

 Hence canning must not be introduced except under 

 thoroughly expert instruction, for which purpose it will 

 be necessary either to employ a first-class foreman from 

 an English firm, or to use the man on the spot who is 

 not only an expert producing good and cheap goods, but 

 is well acquainted with the seasons and classes of fish, 

 with the local people and market, and with the peculiar 

 conditions of tropical canning. I send herewith some 

 specimens of his canning ; I have frequently eaten his 

 goods and believe them to be safe, because he cans only 

 on a small scale, with fish caught close to the factory, 

 while the processes are carried out either by himself or 

 under his immediate inspection. Hence I would recom- 

 mend co-operation with this canner if he will come to 

 terms. Government s^rantino- certain substantial advan- 

 tages in the way of modern plant and salary, in return 

 for the thorough training of apprentices in all the methods 

 of canning. The canner will, of course, derive great 

 advantages from this co-operation of the Government, 



* For various reasons the cannery was not opened in this neighbourhood but 

 was set up temporarily in Cah'cut as a purely departmental enterprise, at the end 

 of 191 1 and bes^an work in January 1912. Nor were the services of the French 

 canuer (M. Josselin, since deceased) availed of. 



