FISHERIES OF THE NEW ENGLAND STATES. 



273 



The following table gives the number, pounds, and value of salmon 

 taken in Penobscot River and Bay each year from 1895 to 1902, 

 inclusive: 



THE CANNING INDUSTRY. 



The sardine industry has undergone considerable change during the 

 the past few j^ears. In 1899 two companies were formed, known as 

 the " Seacoast Packing Company" and the "Standard Sardine Com- 

 pany," which included most of the canneries in Washington and Han- 

 cock counties. The Seacoast Packing Company eventually absorbed 

 its younger rival, and a number of the more antiquated plants were 

 dismantled and abandoned. Some of the canneries were titted with 

 new and improved machinery and were thus rendered more effective 

 than formerly. Eleven plants at Eastport, owned by the Seacoast 

 Packing Company, were not operated in 1902, the machinery having 

 been removed. Early in 1903 this compan}^ was reorganized and the 

 greater number of its canneries were sold, but the best ones at Eastport 

 and Lubec were retained. Several of the packers who had sold their can- 

 neries to the companies regained possession of them, and consequently 

 a considerably larger number of canneries was operated in 1903 than in 

 1902. 



A number of the canneries now use artificial methods for drying 

 sardines before placing them in the oven to be subjected to heat. A 

 large rotary fan is generally employed for this purpose. After being 

 flaked and put on the racks the fish are exposed to the current of air 

 produced b}^ the fan. 



Can-making machinery is in use in quite a number of the canneries, 

 and thei'e is a large factor}^ at North Lubec devoted wholly to the 

 manufacture of cans. There are several kinds of can-making machines 

 on the market, but none of them seems to be perfectl}' adapted for 

 use in the sardine industr3\ Large sums of money have been spent 

 in perfecting these machines, and it is expected that success will soon 

 be achieved. 



The number of canneries operated in Maine in 1902 was To, valued 

 at 81,000,535. The cash capital utilized in carrying on the industry 

 amounted to ^859,650. The number of persons employed in the 



F. C. 1904—18 



