Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-12-27

The Sea Food Protective Commas
sion, consisting Of Horatio d. Cfie u
rastinc, Harry C. Wilbur Of Portland
and Edwin w. Gould of Rockiaho.
and created by the Legislature Oh
1919. in ans.xAct to Assist in the Com
mercial Utilization of the Dogiish,'
tas made it's biennial report TO the
Governor and Council through Score
cary Goulc. 1t is an exhaustive ac-
couuts of the Investigations by the
commission and a compilation of the in
formation secured about the dog fish,
NOW sometimes styled gray fish by the
government.
The commission found that large
commercial business is done in Eng
land in the dog fish. from 20.542 hun
dred weight valued at as,71s52. in
1896 TO A, 1914 hundred weight. valued at
ss14. G0Oii. in 1918 being landed
.'Onc OF the first difficulties with
which the gray fish industry had to
contend was the unreasoning preju-
dice of the public against the fish as
food. This feeling of antipathy is still
pronounced. more especially along the
borders of the ocean. and will have to
be overcome before the fullest utiliza-
ton Of the food value of gray fish
can be Effected
Investigation has shown that 1t
stands well among the leaders OF fresh
fish for protens and fats, both in
quantity and digestibility. In Eng
land the great bulk of gray fish is
consumed in the fresh condition. lit
tie being canned or preserved. The
hayor Of gray fish is much enhanced
by skillful seasoning.
The commission reports that the East
ern Products Co. placed their canning
plant at it's disposal for experiments
in canning. ut was decided to pack
a. limited number Of cans to be kept
under observation and for future in
veestigation In all Il cans were pack
I'd, II being spices with cloves and
hay leaves and small quantity OF
vinegar In 81 cans the contents were
smoked IL hours and canned I'M
der the name Atlantic Finnen.' Four
cans we're spiced and potted IN earth
efnt crooks, with little sage added.
ISve cans were spiced with cloves and
aIisoice and ported in earthern crooks.
.rhe first two lots (es) were cooked IN
a: steam bath Is minutes. when all OF
the q cans were sterilized in steam
hath after being sealed, for period
Of 60. minutes. under 10 1-3. pounds
pressure, in q temperature OF Zfs de-
crees T.. This pack is kept under op-
serration in order to note what chahe-
90. 3if. any, may develop and to take
stch stems as may be deemed neces-
sary ! to ascertain the cause OF de-
terioration."
..Thc field for investigation of the
hy-pro5ucts Of gray fish offers a great
DIVERSITY Of subjects for research:
prolific in possibilities. The known by
products are skins. eggs, OIL heads
otsaI tails and fins. Some of the I'M
investigated by-products are INTERNAL
glands and stomach none. OF wh'ch
have been studied with any degree Oh
thoroughness
1.-The tough, rough surfaced gray
fish skin may be used for fine pohsn-
ing. for covering sword hits, khlie
handles. purses, etc. Tie gray fish egg
when boiled is not unlike that OF hen
egg hard boiled, except the yellow OF
the yolk is very light, has pronouhc-
"a tishy odor and flavor somewhat
like cooked salmon. 1t has been trieo
In tanning leather and found to WORK
admirably in colored leather.
GRAY fish oil is used for lubricat-
ing and lighting, in tanneries and steer
tenpering, as valuable body for
paints in exposed places. in preparing
wool for weaving. in refined form for
medicinal use, for adulteration or COO
liver oil. The livers yield a large per-
centage Of oil.
1.-The gray fish head contains large
amount of glue-the problem being
>,svow best to extract it IN Its pure
state: The commission attempted II III
a small way the past season, the re-
suits being interesting but not very
satisfactory. The investigation is still
being carried on.
The detailed record of the attempt
ITO isolate the digestive agent of fish.
lis given by the commission-she. at
.asmpt having. failed-to show the need
Of a well-equipped Marine Biological
laboratory for State work. The report
concludes: & -" bis Z,
with all of the foregoing by-prod-
ucts that merit careful study and In
vsstixation; with all the thought al