160 
5. Last but not least, artificial hatching can be insti-, 
tuted there at any time, if it is ever thought best, and on 
a vast scale if desired; and unlimited numbers of the eggs 
of the various kinds of salmon noted above, can be ob- 
tained for distribution and sent to all other parts of the 
country where they may be needed. 
The above considerations seem to indicate that Afognak 
Island possesses all the qualification required for a place 
of safety for our Pacific Ocean salmon without presenting 
any objections to its being reserved by the Federal Govy- 
ernment for salmon, or in other words, converted into a 
National Salmon Park. 
The writer, however, would not urge the claims of 
Afognak or any other place to this distinction as against 
those of any locality that may be found to be better fitted 
for it. This island has been brought forward merely as 
showing that one place at least is known that would 
answer the purposes of a salmon park. There are doubt- 
less others in our Alaskan possessions. There are possibly 
better ones. Ifa better place can be found, let us take 
it. If not, let us take Afognak Island ; but at all events 
let some place be selected and set aside by the authority 
of the National Government. If not Afognak Island, 
let it be some other place. Provide some refuge for the 
salmon, and provide it quickly, before complications 
arise which may make it impracticable, or at least very 
difficult. Nowisthetime. Delays are dangerous. Some 
unforeseen difficulties may come up which we do not 
dream of now, any more than we did a few years ago of 
logging on the Clackamas, or railroad building on the 
upper Sacramento. 
If we procrastinate and put off our rescuing mission 
too long, it may be too late to do any good. After the 
rivers are ruined and the salmon are gone they cannot be 
reclaimed. Exaggerated as the statement seems, it is 
nevertheless true that all the power of the United States 
cannot restore the salmon to the rivers after the work of 
