734 WISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 
becomes so slack in July that the 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 
cau readily get all they can put up. At the first of this ycar’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 soon 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 Collinsville, 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. As 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 paok of the Sacramento River canneries during season of 1880." 
{As reported by the canneries to C. H. Gilbert; some of the estimates probably too high.) 
Cases. 
Emerson & Corville (San Francisco) .--........2+---enecceenee-+ 12, 500 
0.3. King (San Francisco) .......-..--.2-- sees cseececneeeeneneee 7, 800 
J. Lusk & Co. (San Francisco) ...-..-..--... Ene we alg betes eooue & 9, 950 
Cutting Packing Company (San Francisco)...........----.0+--- 12, 500 
Sacramento River Packing Company (two canneries).......... 18, 686 
Pratlerd #06. s222c-cccsnineatadausas pp sek vawaee exmeava anes keels 8, 585 
Benicia Packing Company ........-.-- +2200 see-sesceneecseeeees 5, 512 
Taylor & MoDowell c00ss0 sxewssassese ehenan vere teseseeeeeneee 1, 665 
‘Washington Cannery Company............- 2.00 seneeceeeeceens 3, 689 
Total! = scsi sees, wewrdard oasraaciond sleiswsateingasiewlestelawsstenuinss 80, 887 
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 made by the fish commissioners of California is 62,000 cases canned on the Sacramento in 1880. 
The number of salmon sent fresh to the markets of San Francisco is estimated by the California fish commission as 
188,296 or about 2,000,000 pounds. (Rept. Cal. Fish Comm., 1880.) 
