Transcriber’s Notes Texts between _underscores_, =equal signs= and ~tildes~ in this e-text represent texts printed in italics, bold face and sans-serif in the source document. Small capitals have been transcribed as ALL CAPITALS. More Transcriber’s Notes may be found at the end of this text. THE MODERN PACKING HOUSE A COMPLETE TREATISE ON THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT AND OPERATION OF MEAT PACKING HOUSES, ACCORDING TO PRESENT AMERICAN PRACTICE, INCLUDING METHODS OF CONVERTING BY-PRODUCTS INTO COMMERCIAL ARTICLES. New Edition Revised, Amplified and Enlarged by DAVID I. DAVIS First Edition by the Late F. W. WILDER FOR MANY YEARS GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT SWIFT & CO. [Illustration] PUBLISHERS NICKERSON & COLLINS CO. CHICAGO COPYRIGHT, 1905 AND 1921, BY NICKERSON & COLLINS CO., CHICAGO All Rights Reserved Press of ICE AND REFRIGERATION Chicago. PREFACE. In the preparation of the revised edition of this work, the first complete treatise upon the subject of the meat packing house business published, the original scheme has been followed. First, presenting in a convenient and simple form, practical suggestions, tables and formula that are needed in the operation of the packing house business according to modern practice. Second, describing operations in the various ramifications of the business, from the unloading of the animals at the pens to the production of the finished product and the disposition of it, in the order in which the different operations are conducted. The various operations described and subjects treated upon have been indexed so that any matter upon which it is desired to obtain instant information may be readily found. The author arranged the chapters in the order of the various operations in the packing house, together with descriptions of the machinery and appliances required. The established packer, as well as the beginner, if he carefully digest the contents of this work, will find he has valuable information, the knowledge of which will aid him in conducting his business. The chapters on proper construction and arrangement contain information in which the author has given the reader the benefit of his experience in the construction and operation of packing plants. A portion of the contents of this work is devoted to tests showing the value and yields of the various products of a modern packing house, based on prices and conditions existing at the time they were made, in which the percentages and comparisons are reliable and are available to the reader by using the weights and percentage shown, computed on present commercial prices. The numerous formulas given for the manufacture and preservation of the various products of the packing house are those which have been proven to be the best after years of experience. In every instance they have been put in the simplest form possible, so that no mistake can be made in applying them.