354 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



others are of a more general character, and are mentioned here only 

 because of the great influence which they may exert in the future upon 

 the welfare or development of certain fisheries. The following notes 

 are simply brief references to the most noticeable events, the object 

 being rather to call attention to them than to discuss them in au ex- 

 haustive manner, since it would scarcely be practicable to do the latter 

 in a report of this kind. 



26. Use of antiseptic preservatives. — The use of antiseptics as a sub- 

 stitute for common salt for preserving fishery products, particularly 

 those intended for food purposes, has received marked attention in 

 Europe in recent years and is beginning to attract the notice of those 

 in this country who are interested in the fisheries. In Europe the use 

 of "preservatives" has practically passed the experimental stage, 

 speaking from a commercial standpoint. One result is that an immense 

 trade has grown up between Norway and English markets, the Nor- 

 wegians sending to England large quantities of so-called fresh herring, 

 mackerel, codfish, etc., that have been " preserved" with antiseptics. 

 The success attained in Europe by the use of this new agent for pre- 

 serving fish is well known in the United States, and numerous experi- 

 ments have been made here to test its usefulness. But while partial 

 success has been reached in some cases, it is, nevertheless, true that 

 the matter is still in the experimental stage. 



For several years past Dr. J. H. Kidder, formerly chemist of the 

 Commission, and late Assistant and Acting Commissioner, has experi- 

 mented with some of the "processes" used in Europe. To facilitate 

 these experiments Professor Baird purchased and imported complete 

 apparatus for preserving fish by the Roosen process. This was tested. 

 Those interested in other processes were informed that the Commission 

 would be glad to see the results they could attain. Consequently, in 

 addition to what was done under Dr. Kidder's direction, various pack- 

 ages of fish put up in Europe were received and opened by the Com- 

 mission, after the lapse of a certain time, the effect on the contents 

 being carefully noted. The results so far obtained have not been en- 

 tirely satisfactory, and the utility of these "processes" for American 

 markets has not been fully established. What seems to be eminently, 

 if not imperatively, needed in this country as a fish preservative, is 

 something that will prevent deterioration long enough to permit of 

 transportation to markets hundreds of miles distant from the centers 

 of production, and with a margin of time sufficient to effect sales after 

 the goods reach their destination. Nothing else will fully meet the 

 requirements of a domain of such extensive proportions as the United 

 States ; though there can be no reason to doubt that advantages will 

 accrue to fish packers by using antiseptics for the preservation of prod- 

 ucts intended for markets comparatively near and for early consump- 

 tion. It is anticipated that much benefit may be secured by the use of 

 antiseptics in moderate quantity on pickle-cured dried codfish, to pre- 



