222 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
show, and, with the aid that fish-culture can give, we may look forward 
to its continuance and improvement in the future.* 
A recent feature of the salmon fishery, which will be mentioned else- 
where in greater detail, is the development of the trade in fresh salmon 
for market supplies. This has grown to large proportions. 
The change in the salmon fishery (so far as a supply of fish is con- 
cerned) may, perhaps, best be shown by the change in price paid the 
fishermen. At first the price per “count” salmon was 10 cents, and 
per case $8 to $14. In 1888 and 1889, the price per salmon was $1.25, 
and per case $6. Of course much of this disparity between the price 
paid for fish and that received for canned goods is due not only to a 
scarcity of salmon, but also to improvements in manipulating the prod- 
ucts. It would not otherwise be possible to sell manufactured goods 
at a reduced price when the raw material costs ten or twelve times as 
much as formerly. 
The prices of canned salmon have been subject to much fluctuation. 
Sometimes the supply has exceeded the demand, and weak holders 
have cut prices in order to effect sales and realize on their stock. An 
instance of this kind occurred in 1878, when the price fell to $1 per 
dozen cans, or $4 per case. Speculators took advantage of this and 
bought up nearly all the salmon on the market, after which the price 
rose to $1.40 per dozen. 
The following statistical statement, which has been compiled from 
data published by Major Jones, presents many points of historical inter- 
est in a condensed form. Together with the statements that follow it, 
the leading features of the salmon-canning industry, from its inception 
to the present time (1889), are demonstrated. The figures given by 
Major Joues differ to some extent from those published elsewhere, but 
he had exceptional opportunities to secure these data, and they have 
generally been accepted as correct by those engaged in the trade. 
* While this report is being prepared news comes that the catch of salmon in the 
season of 1890 has been much greater than for several years previously. Many, if 
not most, of the canneries have been oversupplied — at least they could not afford to 
take all the catch at the prevailing prices — and large quantities of fish have been 
salted by the fishermen in addition to unusual amounts shipped fresh to all parts of 
the country, or packed in freezers for future distribution. The pack is reported as 
being 451,000 cases as against less than 325,000 cases in the previous year, though 
there were five canneries fewer in operation . It is believed by those competent to 
judge that this result is directly traceable to artificial propagation at the hatchery on 
the Clackamas. It is certainly gratifying to all interested in the maintenance of the 
food supply of the United States, and the continuance of this important industry, 
that it is within the power of man to increase the supply of fish, and thus to restorp 
what he has been so aggressively active in destroying. 
