416 KEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [6] 



is made. Ko sand should be imderueatb ; so, wherever there is saud 

 a layer of sod is spread ; gravel, however, is preferable ; and the place 

 should be so arranged that the wind can strike the fish at the same time 

 on the skin and flesh sides. Somewhat pointed stones are therefore 

 chosen, which are laid with a small space between them. When the 

 drying is to begin the salt fish are taken off the pile and are again 

 washed, this time by using a brush. All loose salt, slime, and impuri- 

 ties, especially around the neck and back of the fius, are removed; and 

 the fish are washed in clean water several times. The Icelanders wash 

 the fish on the benches of a boat drifting with the tide. 



After the fish have been washed they are conveyed in wheelbarrows 

 to the drying place and laid out there in small star-shaped piles, the 

 necks turned toward the center of the pile and the skin side u])ward, 

 with the exception of the lowest layer. In this way the fish are allowed 

 to lie until the water has run off. 



When the weather is dry the fish should then be spread out as soon 

 as possible. Each fish is spread out smoothly on the stones, the skin 

 side downward, and so that one does not cover the other. The i)rincipal 

 thing needed for drying is wind, and care should be taken not to expose 

 the fish to the strong noonday heat of summer, as they are apt to 

 become sunburnt instead of being dried. The flesh side is generally 

 turned upward till within a few hours before the fish are piled up in 

 the evening, when they are turned so that the skin side may also be- 

 come dry. When the air is moist, as in foggy weather, there is no use 

 in spreading out the fish. The sharp spring winds will dry the fish 

 most rapidly ; but, as a general rule, the fish are spread out every morn- 

 ing, are turned a few hours before evening, and are i)iled up for the 

 night. 



After the drying process has begun the fish should be spread on two 

 consecutive days, as they do not bear much pressure before they are 

 about half dry. If the condition of the weather renders it necessary to 

 keep the fish piled up for several days, they should be rearranged sev- 

 eral times. Until the fish have become about half dry they (;an easily 

 stand a little shower, but not during the last days of drying, when some 

 sunshine is needed so the flesh may become white. If the fish are to 

 be sheltered from a shower, they should be piled up as quickly as pos- 

 sible in small heaps, with the skin side upward. If the shower docs 

 not last long, it will be sufficient to turn each fish in its place; if tlie 

 rain continues, however, they should be piled in larger heaps, which 

 are covered with mats and a roof of boards. 



Under favorable circumstances the fish are completely cured after 

 having been spread four days. Between the second and third spread- 

 ings the fish are pressed for one day by being gathered in large heaps and 

 covered with boards, on which heavy stones are placed. As a general 

 rule, the same weight of stones is used as the weight of fish in the pile. 

 Between the third and fourth spreadings the fish are also pressed, ac- 



