8 



BULLETIN 150, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



dimensions and methods of construction, being built in that shape 

 and size best adapted to their respective locations. In size they 

 vary from about 10 feet to about 30 feet in diameter and in width 

 from about 5 to 15 feet. The wheel is so mounted, either in a per- 

 manent structure built out from the shore or upon rocks in mid- 

 stream, or upon a scow, which can be anchored in the desired situa- 

 tion, that it is submerged partially in the water. The flow of the 

 stream causes the wheel to revolve. " Buckets " of woven wire are 

 built in the wheel in such a manner that as the wheel revolves they 

 pass through the water as scoops, picking up the fish. Frequently 

 series of piles are built extending out into the stream in such a way 

 as to direct the fish into the wheel. Mounted in the axis of the 

 wheel, or in some other suitable manner, is a trough-like receptacle 

 for the fish. This is frequently built so as to empty into a scow. 

 The curve of the scooplike bucket of the wheel is such that as the 

 wheel revolves and the bucket is lifted, the fish in the bucket are 

 made to slide toward the axis and finally to fall into the trough. 



This manner of fishing is practically automatic. During the season 

 in which the salmon are moving upstream the method is satisfactory 

 for supplying the demands of the packers. One hears reports of 

 scows being sunk by fish taken during a night's operations. 



The catch of salmon in Alaska by the three principal forms of 

 gear — seines, traps, and gill nets — is shown in the following table: 1 



*• 

 Table II. — Percentage of total catch of salmon by the three principal forms of 

 gear used in Alaska, for the year 1913. 





Apparatus. 





Section of Alaska. 





Southeast- 

 ern. 



Central. 



Western. 





Per cent. 

 48 

 50 

 2 



Per cent. 

 47 

 46 



7 



Per cent. 

 2 





4 



Gill nets 



94 











UNLOADING. 









The salmon are unloaded at the canneries (PI. II, figs. 1 and 2) by 

 being pitched, generally on two-pronged forks, into an elevator 

 which deposits them upon the floor of the house in which they are 

 to be cleaned. (PL III, figs. 1 and 2.) Here they are sorted into 

 grades. As they lie in piles upon the floor streams of fresh water — 

 in Alaska frequently icy cold and of a high degree of purity — are 

 directed upon them. 



1 Bower and Passett, The Fishery Industry of Alaska in 1913. 

 No. 1 (Special), 54 (1914). 



Pacific Fisherman, 12, 



