HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MENHADEN. 223 



tion of materials, which, in their crude form, are by no means better 

 than what we have in abundance at home. 



"The manufacture of fertilizers has become in the same degree an 

 art, as agriculture itself has justly assumed the claim of being a sci- 

 ence. 



"The production of fish guano, although respectable already, as far 

 as quantity is concerned, is thus far but incidental to the menhaden 

 fish-rendering industry. 



"It remains still an open question whether our resources for the man- 

 ufacture of fish guano do not extend beyond that branch of industry." 



Statements of Mr. MacMoclcs. — Manvfacture in Maine. 



293. From the fifth report of the secretary of the association of the 

 menhaden oil and guano manufacturers of Maine, Mr. L. Maddocks, 

 which is devoted to "The Menhaden Fishery of Maine," the following 

 quotations are taken. The manufacturing processes are those jireva- 

 lent on the Maine coast, particularly in the region of Booth Bay : 



" The fish [as brought in by the fishing vessels] are discharged into a 

 car running upon a rail-track to the second story of the factory, and 

 thence poured into tanks below, holding sixty to seventy-five barrels. 

 These are filled one-third with water, steam turned on, and the fish 

 cooked an hour, or until the albumen is coagulated, and the oil-cells 

 broken. The cooked mass, after draining, passes into presses worked 

 by hydraulic power, and is subjected to the pressure of a hundred tons 

 per square inch, the oil and water flowing out and being collected in 

 vats. The oil is then drawn off, clarified by settling, barreled, and is 

 ready for market. The residue, called chum or scrap, is usually stored 

 in the lower story of the factory until taken away by the purchasers, 

 chiefly the manufacturers of ammoniated superphosphate of lime. 



"The following figures will give more definiteness to the statement : 



"One hundred and ninety-five pounds of fish make a 'barrel.' 



" One barrel yields about two and a half gallons of oil, or eighteen and 

 three-quarter pounds." 



" One barrel yields about eighty pounds of fresh chum or scrap. 



"These are average results of the manufacture as now conducted in 

 this State. The amount of oil realized varies from one gallon per barrel 

 of fish, early in the season, to four or five gallons in September." 



" The scrap contains, on the average as it comes from the press, 55 to 

 60 per cent, of its weight in water, and sometimes more. This is of course 

 worthless for fertilizing purposes. It also contains from 12 to 20 per 

 per cent, of fat or oil, which is equally worthless for manure. 



"As now generally managed, the scrap remains in large heaps until 

 shipped, in autumn or winter, to the points of manufacture into super- 

 l^hosphate. In this time a portion of the oil and water leaks away, so 

 as to leave about 10 or 15 per cent, of the former, and 48 to 53 per cent, 

 of the latter. The elimination of the water is an advantage, but the 



