Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-10
TIE FREEZING PROCESS.

TIE FREEZING PROCESS.
Arrived at length at the yards Of the fac
tory, they are slaughtered and the process OF
freezing begins The scene is rather q horri-
bic one to a visitor. In the yards outside are
dense masses Of sheep awaiting their turn i'll
more or less frightened amazement; in a COW
cred shed are the slaushterers at work lit
orally in a sea of blood. Assistants stand be
side them to SKIN and clean the animals, ana
before many minutes are over the unfortu-
nate sheep is a mere empty carcass hanging
from the low roof The carcass il then
slipped on hooks, which are attached to small
wheels running upon grooved rails in the
rocf. Along this miniature trolly line they
are shot into the cooling department.. The
process is the exact reverse Of a Turkish bath.
The first room is of moderately low tenn
perature, and the first stage Of the freezing
begins This is, perhaps, the worst part Of
the wnole affair. One after another tue bod
les are rolled into the room and hung in long
lines from end to end. No idea can be con-
veyed of the sitting sensation experienced in
this grewsome chamber Passing into the
Eecond room, you will find less TO upset you.
The air is cool and even chill The carcasses
have been exposed for twenty -four hours in
the first room, and are now hardening, as
you may perceive, If you feel them.
The process Of pctrifcation has begun As
you advance into the apartment this phe-
nomenon is more manifest To the rap OF
your knuckles the mutton gives back hard
ringing sound, and you may gather that the
freezing is almost complete. After closing
behind you the door of the third and last
room, you find yourself in tho Arctic regions.
The roof is low, and dense mass of white
is ali that is discernibe at first, for the light
is dim Presently you make out pendant
forms skrouded in white linen coverings; and
as you pick your way through the narrow
passages you get an idea OF the vast number
COLLECTOR here. 1t is the storeroorn, and prob
ably contains 10000 or 2oo00 carcasses.
They are as hard as stone, and the linen
wrappings are stiff with fros:. /. IS very
silent in here, and the white shrouded forms
give an appearance Of mystery 30 the some
what uncanny scene. The freezing is accom-
piished and the sheep wait here for ship
ment
LOADING FOR ENGLAND.
Shipment is. however, not far distant.
From the storeroom they are removed to
huge closed cars, specially prepared to receive
them, and arranged so as to exclude as much
light. cir and hea: as possible These trucks
arc run down 10 the port and left alongside
the steamer which is loading for England
To tue last there is an uncanniness abou.
them. Il is necessary that the trucks should
be unloaded soon as possible, 50 as TO give
them no time TO gain temperature, and con-
sequently 10 Is usual for tn. stevedores 70
work all night, or most OF The night, q: the
loading The visitor who finds himself about
IL o'clock on one Of the ocean wharfs may be
startled By the gkostly nature Of the scene
that meets ms ewes. Under the silver beams
Of the electric light men are visible Sowiy
and steal,hily carrying snrouded forms upon
their shoulders under tie cars. Up the gang
ways they creep with their burdens, which
one BY on. are shot down IN the recesses Of
the bod Eere they are once moro packed
away IN a,-other afrozsa' chamber, where
they remain for the SIX weeks voyage
A. the end Of that time they are diszorgsd
into tie recsiring shed in London and pas
into the markets for sale and consumption
Before they are ready 10, sale, however, they
must be thared, and great deal depends
upon the method of thswiug. On board ships
is Is very easy TO tell when mutton has been
properly tsawed. Sometimes q; . rush the
cook finds himself behindhand with lis work
and tten il obliged 70 thaw srti6ciAliy by
pouring be. water upon the join: or other
wise beating IL But the proper way h 20
allow the tia ring 70 % accomplished na:G-
rally and slowly by exposing the meat 20 ths
ordinary Temperature o. the air. By this
means discoloration may Be prevented. and
the meat IS more likely 70 be tender. Whec
thawed tie uuttoa Is % be regarded q II i,
were freshly killed and treated accordingly.
Cor St jan,es' GAxsstA