PROPAGATION OF SALMON ON THE PACIFIC COAST. 391 
i back into place when he is secure inside. The traps are located below 
| the spawning-ground and convenient to the hatchery. 
| The Fort Gaston station was the experimental attempt in the com- 
jmencement of a systematic plan to stock yearly the streams on the 
| Pacific with salmon, and in view of the satisfactory results given by this 
(station it is recommended that the system be extended by establishing 
‘hatcheries with 4 auxiliary stations each in the following localities: One 
on the Chileat River, in Alaska, or in its vicinity; one on Puget Sound; 
one on the Colville Reservation, Columbia River, and one on Hel River, 
‘California. It is also recommended to increase the Gaston station with 
dauxiliary hatcheries, and connect with the McCloud station 4 auxiliary 
Stations. 
The following is an estimate of the cost of establishing and maintain- 
ing these proposed stations: 
| Four central hatcheries, buildings, and apparatus, at $2,000.............-..- $8, 600 
WPwenty auxiliary hatcheries, at $300 each ...............--. -20022--2- seen ee 6, 000 
five superintendents, at $1,200 per year each ......-..- 222.222. eee e ee oe 6, 000 
SSix laborers, at $40 per month each for twelve months .........-...--..----- 2, 880 
Twenty-four laborers, at $40 per month each for four months.....-....----.- 3, 840 
‘Yearly miscellaneous expenses of each central hatchery, including its aux- 
CUSTER ELT ESTES A Be SE SP Pe Say eee fe 2 ee a eT 1,500 
Total miscellaneous expenses yearly of five stations, not including the Me- 
POM Nb CORY Set abel sain Hale eitrinonts a retotis achat cies Sac amnuiees Se clo cele ae 7, 500 
With this small outlay of public money each important salmon stream 
on the Pacific Coast could be stocked with young fish artificially hatched 
far exceeding in numbers the yearly catch or market demand. 
As the farmer recognizes the necessity of replenishing his stock every 
year, in like manner the same prudent forethought is required in regard 
to the occupants of the streams, and the expenditures for this purpose 
in the plan suggested are insignificant when compared to the millions 
of dollars represented in the result. 
For the further protection of the fish on that coast, it is suggested 
that one of the rivers, the Klamath, for instance, and its tributaries, be 
held by the Government as a fish preserve, prohibiting seining or 
taking salmon in any way for commercial purposes. A great national 
nursery would thereby be established, from which not only the Pacific 
Coast would be benefited, but the whole country. The land extending 
some distance from the mouth of the Klamath River is, I believe, a 
Government reservation, requiring no special legislation to close the 
stream to outside enterprise. 
Authorities give the salmon (genus Oncorhynchus) on the Pacific Coast 
as representing five species. The king, quinnat, or chinook salmon has 
an average weight of 22 pounds; there are 16 rays on the anal fin to 
distinguish it. The blueback salmon weighs from 5 to 8 pounds and 
has 14 to 16 rays on its anal fin. The silver salmon, weighing from 3 to 
8 pounds, has 13 rays on the anal fin to distinguish it. The dog salmon, 
with an average weight of 12 pounds, has 14 anal rays. In the fall the 
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