FISHERIES OF ALASKA IN 1910. 



23 



MILD CURING. 



At the opening of the present season the mild-curing industry 

 was in better condition than for several years previous, as the pack 

 of 1909 had been disposed of and prices for the new pack were ruling 

 fairly high. Owing to this the packers extended their operations as 

 much as possible, and as a result the pack this year is the largest ever 

 put up in Alaska. 



With the exception of a small quantity put up in Cook Inlet, 

 central Alaska, the packing of mild-cured salmon was confined to 

 southeast Alaska, although it is more than probable that the packers 

 will soon extend their operations into western Alaska and parts of 

 central Alaska not now worked. 



As in previous years the principal trouble the packers experience 

 is in getting rid of the white-meated king salmon with the least 

 possible loss. These fish average about one-fourth of the total 

 catch, and the fishermen insist that the dealers shall take them 

 along with the others, which they do at a considerably lower price. 

 A few of the larger of these white-meated kings are mild-cured. 

 Early in the season many of them, together with the small red- 

 meated fish, are shipped fresh to the Puget Sound ports, but after 

 the kings begin to run in the Sound this is unprofitable. 



Persons engaged. — This year 656 persons (560 fishermen, 68 shores- 

 men, and 28 transporters) were engaged in the mild-curing industry, 

 as compared with 521 in 1909, a gain of 135. A number of others 

 also were engaged for limited periods, but as their work in connection 

 with other branches of the salmon business was more important 

 they have been included there. 



Persons Engaged in the Salmon Mild-Curing Industry in 1910. 



