36 AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY, 



fectly fresh when brouglit into the market, and are, of course, 

 subject t(^ the usual process of inspection by the market inspec- 

 tors, whose power of rejection is almost absolute. If, neverthe- 

 less, an outcry is heard against this sale, it is difficult to resist 

 the belief that it is dictated by the jealousy which is notoriously 

 rife in Billingsgate circles. 



" The introduction of cheap food from new sources, welcomed 

 as it always is by the public, is invariably opposed by the trade 

 who, after all, reap the chief advantage in the long run. One 

 has but to recall the sneers of the meat venders at American and 

 Australian meat to value the agitation against Norway herrings 

 at its proper worth. Hitherto, happily, we have been spared the 

 bitter discussions wliich have on the Continent led to legislation 

 against certain food preservatives, such as salicylic acid, which 

 we in England admit without hesitation. The question is mainlv 

 one of public economy: Shall good food be wasted for want of 

 a preservative, even if certain objections may be urged against 

 their use, or shall we put up with these objections and aim at 

 cheapening food for the masses, provided, always, that nothing 

 Avhich could injuriously affect their health is allowed to be pres- 

 ent ? A sufficient guarantee is afforded by the vigilance of 

 medical officers, public analysts and market inspectors against 

 the abuse of antiseptics and food preservatives." 



On the other hand, a fish trader writes to the Fish Trade Ga- 

 zette: " Hundreds of barrels oi herrings from Norway out of one 

 cargo were condemned, and also, that there were about 1,500 

 barrels unsold lying in London at tliat time. France will not 

 admit the Swedish and Norwegian herrings nor any other fish 

 (iiied by the process named. Many shopkeepers so(jn find out 

 to their cost tiiat once their customers have tasted herrings cured 

 with acid they don't ask for them a second time." 



Mr. S. G. Worth explained a new method for outlets of fish- 

 ponds which he illustrated by a diagram upon the blackboard, 

 and of this no notes were taken as Mr. Worth promised to send 

 them, but as the report goes to press, they have not arrived. 



