386 , AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 
pared with the catch which may readily be obtained by the Russian 
method practiced in Alaska. The northern ‘salmon fisheries, after the 
traps and dams are once laid, ean be prosecuted with a tithe of the 
labor employed on the Columbia River. The northern salmon are also 
superior 1n size and flavor. 
Five establishments on the Columbia have put up salmon for several 
years in hermetically-sealed cans. This canned salmon will keep for 
many years in any climate without deterioration. Hence it brings a 
very high price. In 1870 these establishments canned about one mil- 
lion eight hundred thousand pounds. This was sold at prices averag- 
ing 14 cents per pound, a total value of $252,000; beside which, other 
‘parties salted salmon to the amount of five thousand barrels, which, 
selling at 5 cents per pound, afforded the sum of $62,500. 
It is certain that salmon can be packed in almost any part of Alaska 
and landed at San Francisco at a cost of not more than $5 a barrel, in- 
cluding freight and all ether expenses. There they will readily command 
$12a barrel. Should parties desire to can the salmon, though requiring 
at first a larger investment of capital, the prices and profits realized 
might be much greater. 
The white-fish of Alaska have not yet entered into commerce; those 
of Lake Superior command very high prices, and it is reasonable to sup- 
pose that when the fisheries of Alaska are worked in earnest by Amer- 
ican enterprise, so fruitful a source of profit will no longer be neglected. 
The species are as follows: 
GREAT WHITE-FISH. Luciotrutta leucicthys, (Pallas,) Gunth.; Russian, 
Naylima ; Tinneh tribes of the Yukon, N@lagha. 
This enormous white-fish is the finest of its tribe, both in size and 
flavor. It is found in the rivers most of the year, but is most plentifully 
obtained and is in its best condition about the months of June and July. 
We have seen them four feet long, and weighing about fifty pounds. It 
is distinguished by its long nose and slender form, and is of a silvery 
white, somewhat darker above. It is fuli of spawn from September to 
January, when it disappears. 
BROAD WHITE-FISH. Coregonus muksun, (Pallas,) Gunth.;- Russian, 
Miksin; Tinneh tribes of the Yukon, Teliyuh ; Innuit of the Kusko- 
quim, Ka-ukhtoot. 
This is the next in size of the Alaska white-fish, and reaches a weight 
of thirty pounds. Itis distinguished by its broad body, short head, and 
large scales. It is usually very fat, and excellent eating. It abounds 
in both winter and summer, spawning in September in the small rivers 
falling into the Yukon. 
ROUND-FISH. Coregonus nasus, (Pallas,) Gunth.; Tinneh tribes of the 
Yukon, Htivien; Russian, Krug. 
A long, slender, subcylindrical fish, not very abundant, but of exeel- 
jent quality. They are caught occasionally throughout the winter on 
the Yukon, and are distinguished by their attenuated muzzle and peeu- 
liar form. 
Humppack. Ooregonus, sp. indet.; Russian, Kozabati; Tinneh tribes of 
the Yukon, Kolokith. 
A common species, charaeterized by the strongly arched back and 
broad tail. The scales are large, and the fish rather bony, and inferior 
in flavor. It is generally used for dog-feed, exveps in times of scarcity. 
