46 SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 



though not adapted for first-class lumber on account of knots and pitch, is still avail- 

 able for the many purposes for which second class material is as good as first-class in 

 that locality. 



" Any of the small so-called single portable mills would speedily and cheaply con- 

 vert portions of these forests into useful shape, and, so long as only enough is cut to 

 supply those having establishments on the islands, no law need be violated. 



"In addition to the advantages before mentioned, labor is much easier to obtain 

 here than at many other possible locations. At the village of Afoguak, 4 miles from 

 the canneries, native carpenters and boat-builders can be found who could be em- 

 ployed, as they have been by the Eoyal Packing Company, in the construction of build- 

 ings under the supervision of an intelligent American mechanic. These native car- 

 penters are, in most cases, rapid and thorough workmen. Mr. Blodgett, of the Eoyal 

 Packing Company, showed us a lighter built by them at a cost, including lumber, of 

 $40. A precisely similar one built in San Francisco cost $175, not including freight- 

 age to Alaska. The cannery building of the same company, erected in 1888, was built 

 almost entirely by native labor, and is accounted the most substantial cannery build- 

 ing in Alaska. These men also build dories and skiffs and are employed constantly 

 for this purpose by many of the Karluk companies. 



" Besides buildings, a short road from the canneries to the site selected would have 

 to be made, as the estuary and upper part of the bay are too shallow for water trans- 

 portation even in boats. Two small timber bridges about 30 feet in length would be 

 required at the crossiug of the two tributary creeks. 



u The run of Eed Salmon is fairly abundant, but short, lasting only the first three 

 weeks of July, the fish first appearing, however, in the middle of June." [This does 

 not take into account the run of small Red Salmon in April.] 



Mr. Stone, to whom the subject of fish cultural operations was especially referred, 

 has entered very fully into the advantages of the Litnik for an initial station, and I 

 will merely call attention to his recapitulation, leaving the details to his complete 

 report. He finds in the Litnik — 



(1) A river that is easily controlled and is not subject to excessive fluctuations of 

 rise and fall. 



(2) An unlimited supply of water for the hatching-house, furnished by gravitation. 



(3) Favorable conditions for capturing the breeding fish. 



(4) A central and comparatively accessible location. 



He states, further, that the four desirable species of Salmonidse — Eed Salmon, 

 Silver Salmon, Humpbacks, and Dolly Varden Trout (or Salmon Trout) — all ascend 

 the Litnik. 



