734 



HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



becomes so slack in July that tbe canneries do not run at all, this year some of them ran along 

 until the commencement of the close season. Much dissatisfaction is expressed concerning the 

 time chosen for close season. It is claimed: (1) That it is at the time of the heaviest run, which 

 is almost over by the time the river is again open ; (2) that it is not at all observed, because, al- 

 though the fishermen cannot sell to the canneries, they can and. do salt a great quantity. 



Usually for the first week or ten days after September 15, the fish run well, and the canneries 

 can readily get all they can put up. At the first of this year's fall season, so many were caught 

 and shipped to San Francisco in one day that the market was completely flooded. Part of them 

 was sold by the steamboat company to pay freight charges, and the remainder, amounting to 

 several thousand fish, was thrown into the bay. The fall run soou becomes light, and all the 

 canneries had stopped work this year by October 15; those on the river stopping about October 1. 



There were no difficulties between the fishermen and canners this year. The catch was good 

 and the market more extensive than usual, owing to increased number of canneries at work. Dur- 

 ing the spring season all the fish caught found a ready sale at 30 cents and 35 cents each. In the 

 fall the price fell to 25 cents. At Collins ville, October 10, most of the boats had stopped work. 

 A boat then averaged about five salmon in one drift (one night), and the fish sold at the wharf for 

 about 45 cents each. The fall salmon average larger than the spring fish, and are lighter in 

 color. 



The exact figures for this year's canning cannot be ascertained before the stock is disposed 

 of. A there is a considerable amount yet on the market, it is with reluctance that the firms will 

 give any figures, and it is possible that in some cases the amount canned is over or under esti- 

 mated. 



The Sacramento River salmon average four to each case, being one-fourth smaller than the 

 same species in the Columbia River. 



Estimated pack of the Sacramento Siver canneries during ieason of 1880.* 

 [As reported by the canneries to C. H. Gilbert ; some of the estimates probably too high.] 



SALMON SALTED ON SACRAMENTO RIVER FOR 1880. 



The amount of salmon salted during the fishing season is small. It is only when the run is 

 very heavy and more fish are caught than are needed to supply the market, that the surplus is 

 salted down. Most of the fish salted on the Sacramento River are put up by the fishermen during 

 the close season. They then have their tanks hidden in the tules and put up great quantities. 



"The estimate mailo by the fish commissioners of California is 62,000 cases canned on the Sacramento in 1880. 

 The number of salmon sent fresh to the markt-ts of S;m Fnmcisco is estimated by the California fish commission as 

 188,296 or about 2,000,000 pounds. (Kept. Cal. Fish Comm., 1880.) 



