The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1873-10-23
The AbattOirs OF Paris.


abattoirs of Paris is from the pen of
the Hon. jackson s. Schultz, and was
first published by the ". Y. Shoe and
Leather Chronicle: =.
The Abattoirs of Paris are not es-
sentially different from those of other
important European cities-particula
resembling that at Munich. The latter
1 have had occasion to speak of before,
and it has many small conveniences
which are not found in the one at Paris.
But for extent and variety of work
done, these Abattoirs of Paris far ex-
ceed anything found elsewhere in the
world.
Nearly two millions of people are
provided each day with all their large
meats, such as beef, mutton, veal, and
pork, from this establishment. The
extent of the business is not more re-
markable than the nice economy which
is studied in all the manipulations of
the establishment. But this Abattoir is
only part of complete system by
which the people are supplied with
food in Paris.
First, They have a cattle-market with
most extensive and commodious accom-
modations, not only for housing and
caring for the animals, but also con.
veniences for all classes of persons who
have to do with their management, such
as offices, an enclosed exchange, &c.
It is quite within the truth to say
that the cattle-yards of Paris are as
clean and free from all disagreeable
smells and nuisances generally, as the
best regulated public square in an
American city. The construction of
the buildings, the water supply, the
thorough paving of all the yards,
streets, and passageways leading to and
from it, are all topics on which much
could be said to guide any effort which
should be made at imitation in our own
country. Doubtless in any such at
tempt we should find that practically
we needed to make alterations for in
stance, the condition and temper of our
animals are very different from those
accumulated in these yards. These are
domestic animals in fact as well as
in name-while our Western steers 4"
are wild and could not be readily
brought under the restraint to which
these animals submit.
The latter are gentle from having
been handled and even fondled from
and washed, as is their custom, but not
SO our wild Western steers such an
undertaking with them would be i'm
practicable. Let this hint serve gen
orally to indicate that differences do
exist which would render it quite i'm
possible for America to adopt all of the
methods and systems here in vogue (;
and when, therefore, L speak with COM
mendation of any plan which seems
adapted to the wants of this people, 1
would not have the inference drawn
that l would recommend its adoption
by our own people without modifca-
tion.
Second, There is an Abattoir or rather
series of them near by these cattle
yards to which are transferred all these
cattle as soon as they are bought by the
slaughterers. Each one of these slaugh-
terers continues the same care and ten
der treatment of the animals after they
come into his hands as while in the
hands of the cattle dealers, drovers, or
farmers. They are tied singly in clean
apartments, well supplied with clean
much care as if their value depended
upon each meal they consumed. How
different in this respect do our butchers
treat their animals
Third, They have public market
not private, fore-stalling affair, such
as disgraces too many of the cities of
America.
Beside several thousand private mar
kets and stalls where meat, fish and
vegetables are sold in all parts of Paris,
this one public market stands out by
itself unlike all the rest. Here all that
enters into the consumption of the city
finds place, both at wholesale and re-
tail. During the early hours of the
morning I should judge the wholesale
dealers do the most of their business.
Most of the supplies are sold by aucs
ton, under the most stringent regula-
tions as to quality, weight, etc. The
rapidity with which these sales are ef-
fected would astonish the most expert
auctioneer in our country. These sales
Cat auction) are extended to fish of all
kinds as well as meats, and vegetables
too at most seasons of the year. The
manner of conducting these sales is pc
culiar, requiring a very quick judg-
ment, particularly where the sales are
in lots without reference to measure or
weight. But the French market women
seemed to enjoy the excitement, for
there was just enough uncertainty and
risk to make it mild substitute for
gambling.
The three institutions above referred
to belong to one system, and should be
considered together. Without their
joint action the results which we OBJ
serve in Paris could not be secured.
All of these institutions are owned and
controlled by the Government, i. e.,
the ground and buildings are theirs and
theregulations are made without consul
tation with the occupants, although we
may suppose that their convenience and
experience has had mnch to do in es-
tablishing the laws relating to the whole
subject.
What will most interest the tanners
to know is the manner of taking off
the hides and skins, and their disposi-
ton and cure afterwards, and to this
subject L propose to confne myselfnow,
reserving the more minute consideration
of the whole subject for another occa-
sion. All hides and skins are "blown
off" This practice is supposed to be
adopted in order that the pelt may be
removed without flesh cuts, but I have
reason to think this is a subterfuge. 1t
is rather for the purpose of " bloOing
up the maeat' Cat least that is the effect,
rather than to "blow off the pelts.
The pelt does become thicker (more
swelled) under the operation, and both
the meat and pelt look much improved,
h11t xUl1 q sI1lf - q,