FISHES. 



Fisliermc::i of the Port of Chioggia, near Venice, preparing to Jcpart for the deep sea fishery. 



In both spitting and hanging up. the fish must be carefully kept from touching each other. The spits 

 ire round fir-rods, about four feet long, and pointed at one end. The Herrings are suspended on these by 

 the mouth and gills. The spits, when as full as they can be without the fish touching each other, are placed, 

 tier above tier, on wooden fixtures, supported by joists, till the house is full. The distance from the tails 

 of the lowest tier to the floor is about seven feet. Wood fires are then kindled; and it requires great care 

 to manage these properly. They must be neither too quick nor too slow, and at times must be extin- 

 guished. Green wood is commonly used, and a large quantity being required, the expense is considerable. 

 Oak and beech are believed to impart the finest color and flavor, but ash, birch, and elm are used with 

 them. The wood of fruit trees, as also some other woods, would communicate to the fish a bitter taste. 



The smoking process occupies three weeks, when intended for home consumption, as they are preferred 

 when soft and not too much dried, but those for exporting are subjected to the operation for twenty-eight 

 or thirty days. The fires are then extinguished, and the house having cooled, the spits are taken down, 

 and, a few days after, the fish are barrelled. The barrels are commonly of fir, though sometimes of oak, or 

 other hard wood. 



In an abundant season, the carers take some pains to divide the fish of different qualities into different 

 lots. They are commonly distributed into four classes. The large ami well formed constitute the first- 

 quality, and are named " bloaters." These being removed, the best of the residue make the second class. 

 Those which are broken in the belly, or will not absorb the salt, but turn white, are the third division, and 

 the fourth consists of those, which are headless, or will not haii£ by the gills, but are suspended on tenter- 

 hooks by some other part 



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