308 
Philippine Journal of Science 
1919 
Frequently a soy-sauce manufacturer will smile at the ques- 
tions asked him and answer: “We pay workmen to tell us 
those things. Why don’t you do the same?” 
The methods of approaching Chinese with regard to the 
process of manufacture are intricate. Unlimited time, knowl- 
edge of Chinese customs, and courtesy are all important fac- 
tors to success. It is often necessary to work through three 
or four Chinese before the man can be secured who will properly 
introduce one to the manufacturer from whom accurate data 
are to be obtained. Many hours of friendly chatting over tea 
and cakes must be spent with these men before the business 
in hand can be approached. But when the final introduction 
takes place, one is treated as an old friend and every courtesy is 
tendered. 
The manager of a large sauce-manufacturing plant, On Shing 
Lung fl|0, at “West Gate” (g ) Sai Mun, was ap- 
proached with this method. He has given full access to his 
books, allowed his head workmen to spend hours talking and 
answering questions, and has shown a keen interest in the in- 
vestigations. 
THE EQUIPMENT OF. A SOY BEAN MANUFACTURING PLANT 
Grounds and buildings . — The equipment in the largest estab- 
lishments is very meager and differs from the small establish- 
ments only in capacity. In the average factory about one-third 
of the ground is covered with one-story buildings, which are 
usually built of gray brick and roofed with Canton tile. They 
are divided into storerooms, boiling shed, workmen’s quarters, 
and mold room. The buildings usually surround the four sides 
of the plot, with a large court in the center for the sunning of 
the soy sauce. 
Boiling shed . — The shed in which the beans are boiled is 
large enough to store sufficient raw materials for one boiling 
and for the board on which the beans and flour are mixed. The 
iron pan fit wok ( ftf ) , in which the beans are boiled is 
semi-spherical, varies in size and price, and is sold by weight 
at about 14 dollars local silver 3 for 100 catties. 4 A pan large 
enough to boil 700 catties of beans can be purchased for about 
100 dollars local silver. Its diameter is 52 inches, and its depth 
8 Local silver, at the present rate (1918), is worth about 1.05 dollars 
for 1 dollar Hongkong currency; 1.30 dollars Hongkong currency are worth 
1 dollar United States gold. 
4 One catty is equal to one and one-third pounds. 
