40 ALASKA FISHERIES AND FUR INDUSTRIES IN 1915. 
One of the important trolling grounds for king salmon in the mild- 
cure fishery is about Forrester Island, which is a Federal bird reserve 
under the administration of the Department of Agriculture. As in 
the previous year, operations on that island were under the imme- 
diate direction of Game Warden Willett of that department, who was 
stationed there to see that the birds resorting to the island were not 
disturbed. The first fishermen arrived at the island on May 8, and 
by May 25 the maximum number was present. Operations con- 
tinued until along in August, when the camp on the island was practi- 
cally deserted. A number of fishermen left about the first of July 
to work in the canneries. A total of 180 permits were issued this 
year as compared with 457 in 1914. This gives an idea of the decline 
which the mild-cure industry felt in 1915. Of the 180 permits granted 
this year, 111 were issued to natives. Quite a number of the remain- 
ing permits were issued to foreigners who had taken out their first 
papers declaring their intentions of citizenship. Fishing was very 
good, some of the hand-boat trollers receiving as much as $200 to $500 
for approximately three months’ work. Some of the power boats 
cleared as high as $1,000. Early in the season the price paid by 
buyers was 50 cents for red-meated king salmon, 20 cents for white- 
meated kings, and 5 cents each for coho salmon. Some of the fish- 
ermen were dissatisfied with these prices and sent part of their catch 
to Prince Rupert. As the season advanced competition between the 
buyers became keen, and they met the Prince Rupert prices, paying 
60 cents for red-meated salmon and 10 cents for cohos. 
The principal mild-cure operators in southeast Alaska were Engelbr. 
Wiese (Inc.), with four plants, one each at Waterfall, Port Conclusion, 
Hoonah, and Cape Fanshaw; Columbia & Northern Fishing & Pack- 
ing Co., at Wrangell; Diamond T Packing Co., at Dall Island; and 
Vendsyssel Packing Co., at Tyee. Some of the other more important 
concerns which engaged in this business were Swift-Arthur-Crosby 
Co., at Heceta Island; Taku Canning & Cold Storage Co., at Taku; 
Lindenberger Packing Co., at Craig; and the Petersburg Packing Co., 
at Petersburg. In central Alaska but little was done in mild-curing 
salmon, a small quantity only bemg put up on Cook Inlet. In 
western Alaska a few tierces of mild-cured salmon were put up on the 
Kuskokwim River. 
The investment in mild-cure work this year was $487,359, as com- 
pared with $777,564 in 1914. The number of fixed plants decreased 
from 17 in 1914 to 15 in 1915, this decline being in southeast Alaska. 
There was also a proportionate decrease in the number of persons 
engaged from 2,161 in 1914 to 1,725 in 1915. The total product 
declined from 4,091 tierces* in 1914, valued at $300,052, to 2,781 
tierces in 1915, valued at $191,523, a decrease of 1,310 tierces and 
$108,529 in value. 
a Each tierce contains 800 pounds of salmon. 
