750 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



the other hand, the high water of the present spring has undoubtedly caused many fish to become 

 spring salmon which would otherwise have run in the fall. Moreover, it is urged that a few years 

 ago, when the number caught was about half as great as now, the amount of netting used was per 

 haps one-eighth as much. With a comparatively small outfit the canners caught half the fish; now, 

 with nets much larger and more numerous, they catch them all, scarcely any escaping during the fish- 

 ing season (April 1 to August 1). Whether an actual reduction in the number offish running can 

 be proven or not, there can be no question that the present rate of destruction of the salmon will 

 deplete the river before many years. A considerable number of quinuat salmon run in August 

 and September, and some stragglers even later; these now are all which keep up the supply of 

 fish in the river. The non-molestation of this fall run, therefore, does something to atone for the 

 almost total destruction of the spring ran. 



This, however, is insufficient. A well-ordered salmon hatchery is the only means by which 

 the destruction of the salmon in the river can be prevented. This hatchery should be under the 

 control of Oregon and Washington, and should be supported by a tax levied on the canned fish. 

 It should be placed on a stream where the quinnat salmon actually come to spawn. 



It has been questioned whether the present hatchery on the Clackamas River actually receives 

 the quinuat salmon in any numbers. It is asserted, in fact, that the eggs of the silver salmon and 

 dog salmon, with scattering quinnat, are hatched there. We have no exact information as to the 

 truth of these reports, but the matter should be taken into serious consideration. 



9. SALMON OIL. 



A factory for making oil from salmon-heads is in operation at Astoria, Mr. T. 0. George being 

 the proprietor. It was established last year, when 18,000 gallons were made, and sold at about 24 

 cents. The salmon-heads are bought from the canneries at the rate of 1,000 heads for $1. On an 

 average, a thousand heads make 30 to 35 gallons of oil. The factory is only run during the can- 

 ning season. The heads are cooked by steam, and the oil is run off from the top. The process is 

 here rather crude, the factory not having yet ventured on improved machinery. After the salmon 

 season this year Mr. George proposes to make oil from seals and bears. Many of the fishermen 

 propose to use their gill-nets for catching seals and sea-lions after the salmon run. An oil factory 

 in Upper Astoria has been leased by Mr. George, but is not now running. Another belongs to 

 Watson, but is (probably) now silent. There is scarcely any oil in the viscera of Oncorhynchus 

 chouicha. Salmon oil is usually mixed with other and dearer oils, and not thrown separately on 

 the market. 



The following is the record of a salmon oil factory at Astoria : 



Capital invested $2,000 



Men employed number.. 6 



One boiler, one engine horse-power.. 35 



Average wages per day of ten hours , $2 



Total paid in wages $1,000 



Length of season , months.. 3 



Value of material $2,500 



Valne of product $7,000 



