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kettle, self-contained, i.e., producing its own steam by 

 heat applied direct, and capable of high pressure ; this 

 is for experimental canning when it is, of course, un- 

 desirable to use the large plant ; the autoclave will cost 

 about ^25 delivered and will hold enough cans for 

 practical experiment on a considerable scale, e.g., 30 or 

 40 one-pound cans. Nothing further is needed for first 

 operations in canning except such material as can be 

 locally obtained, viz., fittings, sheds, tin plate, cases, etc. 



6. For operations in smoking, pickling and other 

 methods I rely, as usual, on simple plant all procurable 

 locally and need not give details. But I have bought 

 one or two items of plant for peripatetic work such as a 

 portable iron smoking kiln, etc. I intend to begin 

 seriously on an attempt to utilize the abundant sardine 

 as good and cheap food in the ways indicated in my 

 letter read in G.O. No. 2267, Revenue, of 1908, e.g., by 

 pickling (like pilchards and herring), by drying and 

 smoking, and by canning in bulk ; all other fish will be 

 similarly dealt with. The method of potting will be 

 very specially attempted, and that of mealing fish, while 

 my initial attempts at preserving fish fresh (by absolutely 

 innocuous methods) for 24 hours and more, will be 

 pushed further. 



7. In accordance vvith the general sanction conveyed 

 in your D.O. 1 180-B/08-1, I have arranged to open a very 

 small oil and fish guano plant in order to utilize fish 

 which cannot, for various reasons, be turned into whole 

 some food ; I have bought a small oil press (Rs. 450) 

 suitable for expressing oil from boiled sardine and 

 propose to purchase the remaining small plant locally, 

 viz,, open boilers, settling tanks, pumps, tubs, etc. I also 

 bought a portable open-pan boiler self-contained (with 

 stove, etc.) for touring work. This will be a plant on the 

 very smallest sca^e and will not cost Rs. 1,000; with a 

 cheaper press such as may be made locally, and mere 

 iron pan boilers over brick furnaces, it will cost local 

 fishermen much less, and I hope to influence quite a 

 number to take up the business of boiling the fresh or 

 dried sardine, expressing the oil, and selling it and the 

 guano to local merchants. One enterprising man at 

 Cannanore, about whom I wrote last year as an enquirer, 

 is now doing this, and selling his stuff at a fair price, and 

 I hope to get many others to do the same ; I can also 



