No. 7 (1917) ADMINISTRATION REPORT, I917-18 I75 



operating on cheap but good fish, fresh fish can be successfully 

 placed in distant markets by sharp freezing in ice and salt, and 

 in an extended zone of adjacent markets by simple chilling. 



6. Oil and .<>ii(iiio o[>cratioits. — As reported in previous years there 

 are some 253 private oil and guano factories on the West Coast, 

 which have sprung up since and in consequence of the depart- 

 ment's operations in 1908-09. Owing to the war and consequent 

 absence of freight, and in part also to short distribution and 

 lessened fat contents in the fish, many of the factories, 

 especially in Malabar, have had very bad times either from 

 want of products or from inability to sell them. The absence 

 of freight led to such cessation of sale that where products 

 were fairly abundant, guano, ordinarily priced at R9. 70 per 

 ton was unsaleable at Rs. 30, and oil ordinarily worth Rs. 1 50 

 was unsaleable at Rs. 40. Fortunately, the Controller of Munitions 

 made requisitions upon the Department for oil for military 

 purposes, and this, coupled with a sudden demnnd by the jute 

 mills, brought prices back to normal and greatly benefited the 

 industry ; this Department supplied about 50,000 gallons of oil. 

 Not only so, but since certain Military departments require 

 superior oil, the manufacturers were in many cases induced to 

 prepare and supply these better qualities, and under direct depart- 

 mental instruction and stimulation, have produced and can 

 produce very superior oil even beyond the requirements of the 

 customers. This matter is now being followed up. 



7. As regards guano this department, through Mr. V. Govindan 

 stimulated the formation of groups of producers, and acting as 

 intermediary with large customers obtained sales to a considerable 

 amount which have sent up the prices to normal. It is hoped to 

 make these groups permanent and bind them in a completer 

 union by forming them into co-operative societies. Doctor 

 Anstead, Deputy Director of Agriculture for Planting Districts 

 has earnestly pressed upon me the need for bringing producer 

 and planter into direct touch, and the matter will be specially dealt 

 with during the coming season. 



8. Inshore fishing experiments, Madras. — On the initiative of 

 Mr. V. Govindan who also took charge of the matter, a very useful 

 experiment was made in bringing two West Coast canoes, nets, and 

 14 men over to Madras to fish Madras waters with the harbour (by 

 special permission) as base. The experiment was for a year and 



