Official Inspections 83. 51 



The possibilities of the industry are wonderful, and the fig- 

 ures previously given will show the unique qualifications of the 

 inductry to Maine as compared with any other section of the 

 United States. Growing, as they do, on land that is practically 

 unfit for any other purpose, they furnish employment to the in- 

 habitants and are a source of revenue for the whole community. 



The method of preparation for canning is practically the 

 same in all factories. It consists in cooking the berries in a 

 large steam cooker, with or without the addition of water, filling 

 the cans with the hot berries, sealing immediately and trans- 

 ferring to a colling process by submerging the cans in cold water. 

 Except in one or two instances, there has been practically no 

 atempt made to place on the market any other product than the 

 unsweetened fruit. This, it is believed, is to be regretted for, 

 by using syrup of sugar, and making a careful selection of the 

 raw material, a greater demand would certainly be created for 

 this product and much larger profits realized. 



Sardine Factories 



This industry, which means a great deal to the State of 

 Maine, has come in for its share of attention in the inspection 

 work of the past season. 



We have fortunately secured the cooperation of the United 

 States Department for our investigations, and have also wel- 

 comed the inauguration of rather an elaborate system of in- 

 spection by the National Canners' Association, financed by the 

 packers themselves, which — on the whole — has been productive 

 of wonderful results. 



Early in the season an informal conference was held with 

 the director of the National Canners' Association, and rules and 

 regulations satisfactory to the Association and this department 

 were agreed upon. We feel sure that the results have been pleas- 

 ing to all concerned. 



A special investigation, during the early spring months, 

 was made in regard to the habits and methods of the fishermen 

 in securing the fish furnished the factories. This work was car- 

 ried on in compliance with the regulations promulgated by the 

 Canners' Association, to the effect that fish shall not be packed 



