28 AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY.. 



case of the fisheries of the Great Lakes, inquiry circuhirs were 

 recently sent to eyery fisherriian on each of the five lakes, and 

 more than ninety per cent, of them haye been returned, and when- 

 ever, during- the jiast two (jr tliree years, there has been an effort 

 to obtain information by correspondence, this effort has been 

 met witli hearty co-operation on the part of tliose engaged in 

 the commercial fisheries ; so that even witliout the expenditure 

 of any considerable amcjunt of money, it will be possible for those 

 who are familiar with the localities and with the more intelli- 

 gent resident fishermen to obtain possession of information frcjm 

 which very satisfactory reports can be prepared. 

 Washington, D. C. 



The meeting tlicn adjourned until tlie following day. 



THIRD DAY 



On assembling the Secretary read the following paper. 



FISH PRESERVATION BY THE USE OF ACETIC, 



BORACIC, SALICYLIC, AND OTHER ACIDS 



AND COMPOUNDS. 



BY A. HOWARD CLARK. 



An important method of preventing decomposition of animal 

 flesh, is the application of antiseptic salts in a powdered form to 

 the surface of the substance or to impregnate it with a solution 

 either by atmospheric or hydraulic pressure. Among the com- 

 monest and m(jst effective anticeptics, exclusive oi chloride of 

 sodium (comuKjii salt) are acetic, as contained in vinegar, and 

 boracic acid. The latter preservative is fast coming into favor 

 in the preparation oi fishery products, because of its very satis- 



