28 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
to three, and, exceptionally, four filling machines. At some of the smaller canneries 
filling is done by hand. These are usually establishments that have a capacity of 
from 400 to COO cases per day. The machines are only adapted to what is known to 
the trade as “tails” — that is, the ordinary high 1-pound can. All fancy cans, such as 
“fiats,” elliptical, half-pound, etc., are filled by hand. 
The filling machine consists of a receiving platform, on which the empty cans are 
fed, each one reaching a distinct position in its turn. One man at the filling table 
overhead feeds the divided fish into a hopper, from which it is conveyed to the can 
underneath, and by a gentle pressure of a piston is pressed into the can, when a 
movement of the machine conveys the filled can to a table and an empty can into 
liosition to be filled. The movement is so rapid that a continuous stream of filled cans 
Retorts and test kettles. 
is poured on the table. Here the filling is inspected, and, if for export, the cans are 
carefully weighed, so that there may be no short weight. If they are not quite full a 
small quantity of fish is added, a supply of small bits being kept at hand for this purpose. 
The can is now ready for the top, which in some canneries is imt on by hand, but 
in most cases by a machine. The cans are placed in line and conveyed by a belt to a 
machine, the tops being fed in through a separate aperture. As the cans emerge with 
the tops on, a crimping attachment iiresses the edge firmly around the body, and as it 
is still carried by a belt, it is turned by the movement of the belt on its side and rolls 
down a trough to the soldering machine. Here an endless revolving chain passes over 
the can near the top and rolls its edge into the molten solder. As it emerges from 
the soldering machine it rolls down a trough and under several jets of water to cool. 
