Sprats Economically Considered. 87 



though the sprats themselves were in admirable condition, fat 

 and oily. 



Their economical aspect is best attested, oddly enough, in 

 the "Essex Dialect and Folk-lore," by "Weavers Beef," of 

 Colchester.* As nutritious food this goes without saying. But 

 what doubtless detracts from their more frequent domestic use 

 in the better class households, is the strong pungent and 

 penetrating, oily odour given off in cooking a counteracting 

 agent for which we are not aware of. Their free use at 

 times as manure is often censured by those interested in fishery 

 matters ; but remedies are easier suggested than carried out. 

 This is to be regretted ; but practical emendation still awaits 

 those who clamour when there is a glut of fish, and rather 

 glibly talk of waste unmindful of the needy or deserving 

 fishermen ceasing their occupation. Such would be the 

 essential outcome of the contingency, were the drastic 

 measures carried out which some critics have urged. All the 

 while the matter deserves our committee's serious con- 

 sideration. 



Take, for example, Professor Stirling's hintsf as to extracts 

 being made on other products utilized, or Mr. Fryer* and 

 others suggestions as to preparation of sprats as sardines, 

 which are steps in the right direction. Nevertheless, the 

 alpha and omega of the question is a monetary one. Con- 

 necting the sprat therewith, some } r ears back at Deal, factories 

 for canning them were established, and much profit expected, 

 seeing boat-loads of sprats were almost going a-begging. In 

 1892, a poor spratting year, values were kept up by the 

 factories' needs. In 1893 the factories offered Jow prices, 

 though at Bright lingsea and Leigh sprats could only be sold 

 as manure. In 1897, with sprats plentiful, the tinning estab- 

 lishments dropped their prices. In the 1898 Reports, only 

 one factory said to be working, and difficulties arising between 



* Essex Naturalist, Vol. VIII. 



t 4th Ann. Eep. S.F.B. for 1885. J 5th Ann. Rep. S.F.B. for 1886. 



See Annual Reports of Inspectors English Sea Fisheries, years mentioned. 



