^4 



many cases quite tolerable, especially where, as at 

 Tellicherry, etc., the fish is caught solely on account of 

 the curers, to whom it is at once taken. But the inland 

 market appears to demand or easily accept fish in high 

 and even putrid condition ; the product known as 

 " Madura cured " is practically putrid, and the bales on 

 the railway stations, the carts on the sea coast roads, 

 eloquently testify to the character of the products. As 

 in other tropical countries it seems that a monotonous 

 diet of millets and common vegetables demands a 

 s-trongly tasting accompaniment, and this is supplied by 

 stuff which, as frequently seen on the East Coast, is 

 often fit, in European and the better class of Indian 

 opinion, only for the manure pit. Nevertheless the 

 demand continues, and while no one may dispute tastes, 

 yet it is desirable so to educate the market on the one 

 side and to supply tasty but sound products on the other, 

 as to remove hygienically faulty products from the 

 markets ; in municipalities the Sanitary Inspectors are 

 believed to condemn this class of goods. Moreover it is 

 certain that a better quality of product would greatly 

 increase the demand and consequently the catches ; 

 while tainted fish may be approved by certain classes, 

 those more well-to-do and better educated decline 

 such goods, and millions are consequently deprived of 

 a nutritious food which they would readily buy if 

 a thoroughly sound, pleasant article were supplied. 



It would seem, in fact, that while better and equally 

 cheap food for the masses is the main final object of 

 work, it may be more easy to move indirectly, viz., by 

 issuing from improved yards goods produced by the 

 ordinary methods, e.g., salting and sun drying, but 

 improved by scientific and technical knowledge and 

 slightly more costly than at present, as well as goods 

 prepared by new methods. These improved goods at 

 slightly enhanced prices will appeal to numerous classes 

 at present unable to accept existing products, and this 

 demand will, in turn, foster an improved supply, so that 

 better methods and a greater business will insensibly 

 develop, as on the West Coast under the demand from 

 Ceylon, and more capital will flow into the industry, to 

 the benefit alike of producer and consumer. If the 

 present low class goods are produced and sold at i to 2 

 annas per pound, it may be better to produce and sell 



