LOBSTER, CRAB, AND SHRIMP 277 



round piles. The next operation, the separation of 

 the meat from the shells, is carried out in a very in- 

 teresting manner. The workmen tie cloths around 

 their shoes and proceed to tramp the shrimp, going 

 round and round the piles in a slow trot, or 

 dance as it is called. This breaks off the heads, shells, 

 and legs from the meat. The shells and other inedible 

 parts are then separated from the meat by screening 

 through a coarse wire screen of about a quarter-inch 

 mesh. Since the dancing process does not detach all 

 of the shell from the meat, it is necessary to give 

 it a still further cleaning by placing it in sacks and 

 beating with boards, after which it is again sifted. 

 The product is then packed in large barrels. 



Dried shrimp is sold mainly to the Latin and 

 Asiatic races. Much of it is exported to Central and 

 South America, Cuba, Porto Rico, and the Hawaiian 

 Islands. The shells and other inedible parts, com- 

 monly called shrimp bran, are packed in burlap bags 

 and sold to farmers, who use it either as stock feed or 

 fertilizer. 



