ALASKA riSHEKIES AND FUR INDUSTRIES, 19U. 85 



wide fastened together vertically and at right angles, thus forming 

 open squares about 6 inches either way. After each basket of eggs 

 is lifted from the salt bath this frame is placed in the solution to 

 stop all motion of the water, being pushed down until it is almost 

 submerged and held firmly against the side of the tank for a few 

 seconds. Upon being carefully withdrawn the solution is quiet and 

 the next basket of eggs may be immersed without further delay. 



Another piece of equipment is a feather fan with which gently to 

 push the floating dead eggs away from over the submerged basket 

 into w^hich the good eggs have settled. Unless the dead eggs are 

 quickly moved they too will sink. A feather fan made by fastening 

 eagle feathers to a thin strip 8 inches long by 1^ inches wide works 

 much more satisfactorily for this purpose than a wing. An ordinary 

 hand scaff net about 12 by 14 inches in size for removing dead eggs 

 from the tank, a dipper, and a bucket complete the outfit. Wood 

 and metal surfaces in all equipment should be well coated with asphal- 

 tum or some similar preparation. 



At Yes Bay as soon as five or ten million eggs are far enough 

 advanced to stand light concussion the baskets are Hfted out of the 

 troughs and the eggs are stirred thoroughly with the hand, which 

 causes practically all of the unfertile or empty eggs to turn white. 

 As soon as the line of the fish shows plainly when held up to the light 

 and there is a distinct curvature to the tail, the eggs are sufficiently 

 well advanced in development to stand stirring. After this process 

 the baskets are returned to the troughs and allowed to remain three 

 days, for when first turned the unfertile eggs are about as heavy as 

 the good eggs and consequently would sink if the salt solution were 

 appUed at once. 



On the fourth day after stirring, everything being in readiness, 

 five or six baskets are removed from a trough and set on top to drain. 

 After a few moments a basket is grasped at each end and is lowered 

 into the tank contaming the solution until the liquid comes through 

 the eggs. A light shake is then given to level up the eggs in the basket. 

 Next, slowly and very gently, the basket is lowered until the brine 

 comes almost to its rim and is held perfectly still for a moment. All 

 the eggs in the basket will rise, but soon the good eggs will begin to 

 sink, and presently, if it is a basket of poor eggs, the surface will be 

 completely covered with bad eggs. Now, without the slightest jar, 

 the basket is lowered far enough below the surface to permit an egg 

 to float over the rim. The bad eggs will immediately start toward 

 the edges of the tank. After a few seconds the basket is gently lowered 

 until it rests upon the bottom. The remaining dead eggs are then 

 brushed away from over the basket by means of quick, short, and light 

 strokes of the feather fan; long, sweeping strokes are to be carefuUy 

 avoided. One end of the basket is then gently raised until it is above 



