142 U. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 
date the smaller mesh nets were also issued, but the number of these 
on hand was not adequate to supply all the fishermen. 
Forty-one boats in, all were employed in fishing, 34 of these 
throughout the season, the remainder for varying periods. Four of 
them were engaged so short a time and obtained so few fish that they 
may well be omitted from consideration. To each boat was issued 
200 fathoms of king salmon net, and subsequently 200 fathoms of the 
small mesh salmon net, to the extent that this was obtainable. 
In addition to the gill nets, renewed attempts were made in 1920 
to use fish wheels. Two of these were constructed by the company, 
but were no sooner placed for fishing than they were put out of 
commission by the heavy drift which was running during the early 
days of the fishing season. 
In addition to the above, nine wheels were privately owned and 
operated within the area open to commercial fishing, -and the catch 
of seven of these was sold in whole or in part to the cannery. A 
very limited number of salmon were obtained from independent 
fishermen using nets. The number thus purchased from independent 
operators using wheels or nets amounted to some 7,400 kings and 
27,000 chums, out of a total number handled by the cannery of 
58,467 kings and 155,655 chums. ; 
The fishing gear operated by the cannery and by private parties 
occupied only a narrow fringe along the margins of the channels. 
No attempt was made to fence or block the main channels in any 
manner, nor could such an attempt at any time be successful. 
The employees at the cannery numbered 254. Of these, 122 were 
brought in from Seattle, including 40 Orientals and 44 fishermen. 
Of the 132 Alaskans, 40 were employed as fishermen, while 48 were 
natives, of which the first crew of 25 ceased work in the middle of the 
season. It was pleasing to learn from the superintendent that the 
Alaskan fishermen gave a good account of themselves and would 
hereafter be preferred by the company. 
The pack put up by the cannery in 1920 was far less extensive than 
in the previous year, as is shown by the following table: 
Pack oF SALMON By YUKON CANNERY Im 1919 anp 1920. 
Product. 1919 1920 
Canned (cases): 
King salmon? : 426. See ese os so dees Sees oe UU oes © sok ORE aE ae ep | 28, 582 15, 934 
Chums2i is s7 aah wae ene aeee wie ieee cele seeaate die ceeeee ete csseeeeseiae 543 12, 819 
Cohos..62 22h seksac Jobe meee sme Oe ee mes SHR tee nen te ae ae atten Chee ceenen mee ee a ares tS 0 
CdS: Fe Seite See are wie nec re elo ee a eae ete toe ete ee SRE Cea Reece eee 28 5 
Mild=cure (tierces):2 22 eases ee ee A Ce G7 POEL SE ge tee ae Sere een et ee 145 
The comparative lack of success in 1920 was due in part to the un- 
favorable fishing conditions and in part to voluntary shortening of 
the fishing season. In 1919 fishing was continued until the close of 
August, but in 1920 only until the middle of July, as the low market 
price for chums did not warrant the company in continuing to oper- 
ate after the run of king salmon was over. The season of 1920 was 
extremely late on the Yukon, and the king salmon entered with a 
rush, while yet the river was very high and was carrying down enor- 
