24 



COMMERCIAL FISHERIES OF' ALASKA IN 1905. 



SALTERIES. 



The oldest Alaska salmon saltery now in existence is that established 

 by Baronovich, a Greek or Slav, who had married the daughter of 

 Skowl, one of the old-time chiefs of the Kasaans, and received from 

 him the fishery on Karta Bay now known as Baronovich's Fishery. 

 The saltery is operated only occasionally now. 



The table below shows the pack of salted salmon since 1868. The 

 salt salmon trade was so overshadowed by its giant brother, the 

 canned trade, that it is frequently lost sight of or swallowed up in the 

 latter. As a result it has been an exceedingly difficult matter to 

 secure accurate data, and it is probable that a considerable part of 

 the trade, especially in the earlier years, has been overlooked. The 

 preparing of dry-salted dog salmon for market was first attempted in 

 1899. In 1900 a number of persons rushed into the business and over- 

 stocked the market, with the result that the industry became unprof- 

 itable and nothing was attempted for two seasons, when the demands 

 of the Japanese trade for a cheap dry-salted fish caused a revival of 

 the business. From 225 to 250 dog salmon are required to make a 

 prepared ton of dry salted. These are packed in boxes holding about 

 560 pounds net. Fifteen pounds of salt are required to a box of fish, 

 while the box itself weighs 95 pounds. 



Pack of Salted Salmon in Alaska, 1868 to 1905. 



