Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 November 1883 — Sardines Before We Get Them. [ARTICLE]

Sardines Before We Get Them.

Nearly all the fish eaten in America as sardines come, from Maine. They are small herring. Sometimes only a bushel or two are taken at a time, and at others so many as to endanger the net. The degree of dexterity with which they are cleaned is astonishing, especially as it is done by very small children. After this they are placed on large gridirons and suspended over a hot fire to broil. The boxes are prepared with attractive French labels indicating olive oil, but this is false, as the oil is cottonseed. The packing is another operation at which little people are expert. A fish is seized in each hand and laid lengthwise in the box, first a head at the outer end and then a tail. After the boxes are full a small quantity of the oil is poured in, and then they are passed to men who solder them tightly. They are next thrown into an immense caldron, where they are boiled two hours, thus completing the cooking process, and dissolving the bones of the .fish. One of the establishments in Lubec prepares about 4,000 boxes daily, and there are nineteen such places in Eastport, besides many others at seaport towns. The actual cost per box, including all expenses, it is said to be 5 cents.