PACIFIC COAST FISHERIES. 303 
Two purse seines have been used for several years at Yes Bay. One is 300 fathoms 
ong and 17 fathoms deep in the bunt, and the other is about 100 fathoms long. The 
ger one is used more frequently and is set from a small steamer. The superin- 
tendent of the saltery at that point says it works all right when he can get men 
who know how to handle it. Purse seines have also been in use for two seasons at 
‘Metlakahtla, and with very good success. 
_ Employes at the salteries have, heretofore, been paid by the month, but a few 
salters during the past season gave their men a lay. Sixty dollars a month for 
white fishermen and $1 a day for native help have been the established wages. It 
is fast becoming the custom to pay so much per barrel to white fishermen for all 
‘salmon caught. At all places where this system has been tried it has given satis- 
faction to both fishermen and owners. Ten cents a barrel is the lay received. In all 
fishing communities where fishing is performed on a lay much better results follow 
than where stipulated wages are given. The constant expectation of good catches 
stimulates the men with energy which wages have not the power to bring out. The 
fishermen know that what benefits the proprietors likewise helps them. 
% All barrels used for putting up salmon in southeastern Alaska are manufactured 
at the salteries. Suitable wood being abundant, they can be made at a reasonable 
price. During the winter months enough barrels are made to meet the demand for 
‘the coming season. A cooper is an indispensable person about a salmon saltery, for, 
besides performing his regular duties as a cooper, he is often called upon to assist 
‘in various mechanical jobs, and is paid by the piece, or so much per barrel—85 cents 
for making a whole barrel and 65 cents for a half barrel. At this price he can earn 
good wages, for he is under no expense for board. 
It being the object of every man owning a saltery to enlarge on the plant and in- 
erease his business as rapidly as possible, several weeks of each year, before and after 
the fishing season, are spent in building wharves if needed, erecting buildings, and 
Making such improvements as are required to keep a place of this kind in good order. 
_ Many salmon salters have gained a firmer foothold in Alaska than the mere busi- 
‘ness of salting salmon would give them. They have branched out into general 
trade, and have stores well stocked with goods of all kinds. In this way they have 
drawn around them the neighboring tribes of Indians who are ever ready to buy 
and trade for such commodities as they require. The result of barter and trade 
with the Indians has been to annually fill the stores with large collections of furs. 
Bear, fox, and deer skins are chiefly dealt in, the most of which are shipped direct 
‘to San Francisco. 
z 
MANUFACTURE OF HERRING OIL AND GUANO. 
According to the report of Mr. Paul 8. Luttrell, special agent of the 
Treasury Department for the protection of the salmon fisheries of 
Alaska, a herring fishery of some magnitude was carried on in 1892 at 
Killisnos, Alaska, by the Alaska Oil and Guano Company. While a 
considerable quantity of herring was preserved by salting, the chief 
feature of the business was the manufacture of oil and fertilizer. One 
hundred and twenty-two persons were employed in various capacities, 
of whom 93 were in the oil works and 29 on steamers engaged in fishing. 
Of the factory employes 47 were whites, 4 were Chinese, and 42 were 
natives. Four steamers, of 60, 42, 25, and 4 tons, respectively, were used. 
The value of the property and improvements was $100,000. 
_ During the year 93,000 barrels of herring were taken, from which the 
following were prepared: 500 half barrels of salt herring, 1,000 barrels 
of salt herring, 316,000 gallons of oil, 700 tons of guano. The ath the price 
of which at the ds centers was 25 to 35 cents a gallon, had an aggre- 
te value of $85,000. The valueof fertilizer was $21,000, or $30 a ton. 
