BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. Gl 



thvy should a^^aiii be laid iu strong fresh briue, iu which they cau re- 

 luiiiii for several months without being injured. 



When the drying process is to begin, the bladders are first laid in 

 Leaps on si)eciallyarranged frames, so that thebrine can run off. When 

 the bladders are taken off the frames, they are well rinsed, best in new, 

 ]mre, and strong brine. Each bladder is thereupon well spread out, 

 iimuothed down with the hand, and laid on shelves, which are arranged 

 one above the other, about 7 inches apart. Instead of the shelves, 

 frames may be used, about 8 feet long and 3 feet broad, covered with 

 net-work, the n)esht'S being the same size as those of mackerel nets. 

 The frame itself is ibrmed by laths about 2 inches thick, slightly bent, 

 so the air can circulate freely, when one frame is placed above the other. 

 Frames are preferable to shelves, as the bladders are exposed to a cur- 

 rent of air on both sides,* and as they dry better. When one has gone 

 so far that the drying process is carried on out-of doors, the bladders 

 may simply be placed on the drying pile; while if shelves are used 

 they must be spread out. In case of rain they cau quickly be brought 

 under shelter or be piled one above the other, and the whole covered 

 with tarpaulins. 



The first drying ])rocess should be carried on under shelter in a shed 

 having doors opening south and east. The bladders cannot yet stand 

 the sunshine, because, when exposed to it in the beginning of the dry- 

 ing process, they easily assume a yellowish color, which makes them a 

 second-rate article. They are left on the irames or shelves until they 

 begin to dry on the outside. After several days a crust forms on them, 

 which can easily be ascertained by passing the hand over them. They 

 are then laid in common Havana boxes, carefully spreading them out 

 and smoothing them. They should rise about one-third of the height of 

 the box over its upper edge. Four to five boxes are then placed one 

 above the other, so that they may be suitably pressed. During the 

 pressing, which lasts from five to seven days, the position of the boxes 

 is changed every day, so the lower ones get at the top, and vice versa, 

 so that each box receives the same amount of pressure. Ko rule cau be 

 laid down to determine when they are sufficiently pressed, as nothing 

 but experience can teach this. 



When the bladders appear to have been sufficiently pressed, the dry- 

 ing in the open air begins, during which either the frames referred to 

 above are used or the bladders are carefully spread out on the rocks. 

 The drying goes on gradually, alternating with pressing and stretching, 

 so that the bladders do not lose their smooth appearance. As soon as 

 they begin to shrivel in the sun they should be taken in and placed in 

 boxes, by layers if possible, some weight being put on the top. The 

 j<ame should be done every evening. If the drying process has been 



* When shelves are used, the bladders need not be turned, as they slightly shrivel 

 •when beginning to dry, so that the air cau strike their lower sides. 



