REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [386] 



of each and every cask in which inspected, merchantable fish, or whole 

 fish are packed, or repacked, the initials of his Christian name, with 

 his surname at large, the name of the town for which he is appointed, 

 and Mass. annexed for Massachusetts. * * *." 



The act passed by the Massachusetts legislature March 28, 1834, 

 says :. 



Sec. 1. Be it enacted, etc., That the inspector-general, or his deputies, 

 shall not be required to brand upon the casks in which mackerel may 

 hereafter be packed, the owner's name, nor the word "cargo." 



Sec. 2. That the second and filth sections of the act passed March 

 fourteenth, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one, entitled "An act 

 in addition to several acts regulating the inspection of pickled fish," are 

 hereby repealed. 



Sec. 3. That the inspector-general, or his deputies, shall brand upon 

 every cask of mackerel inspected by him or them the year in which the 

 same is packed; and upon all No. 3 mackerel, that are usually denomi- 

 nated southern or Block Island mackerel, and all others of a similar 

 quality and description the word " South " ; and upon all other No. 3 

 mackerel, the word " North." Provided, however, that the inspectors 

 shall receive no additional compensation therefor. 



Sec. 4. That it shall be the duty of the inspector-general, or his dep- 

 uties, when mackerel are presented to him or them for inspection, to 

 select those of the best quality, and such as are fit for family use, for 

 No. 1 ; those of the next best quality, being fat, free from damage, of 

 suitable size, and not cut or mutilated in any manner for the purpose of 

 deception, for No. 2; and all others for No. 3, and to brand the casks in 

 which they are packed, accordingly. 



Sec. 5. That all acts or parts of acts inconsistent with the provisions 

 of this act, are hereby repealed. 



The Revised Statutes of 1835, in defining the qualities of pickled fish, 

 say: 



"There shall be four qualities of mackerel, three of salmon and shad, 

 and two of other kinds of pickled fish ; those mackerel of best quality 

 for family use, not mutilated, of suitable size, free from rust or damage, 

 shall be number one and number two, the best of those selected and 

 branded number one, the residue number two; those remaining after 

 this selection, of usual size, free from taint, and sound, shall be branded 

 number three; and those of this number that are of the description 

 called Block Island mackerel shall also be branded with the word 

 south; all small-size mackerel, free from taint, and sound, remaining 

 after the above selections, shall be branded number four; those salmon 

 and shad which are of the best quality for family use, free from rust or 

 damage, shall be selected for number one and number two, the best of 

 them selected and branded number one, the residue number two; all that 

 remain, free from taint and sound, shall be branded number three; of 

 all other pickled fish the best, such as are free of taint and damage. 



