184 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
species is made, they cease fishing for them soon after the redfish commence to run, 
as the latter is the more profitable fish. King salmon are nowhere abundant in this 
district and the few taken in the traps and redfish nets after the packing of the 
former species is closed are used on the cannery tables, or their bellies are salted for 
personal use. 
It is said that there is quite a run of cohoes after the canneries have “cleaned up.” 
A few are taken at the close of the redfish run, and it is probable that they are 
present in numbers until cold weather sets in. 
The canneries are practically in full operation about one month, as the redfish 
run is over by July 20 to 25, and during this time they present a busy scene; every 
one is worked to his full capacity, and nothing is thought of, talked of, dreamed of, 
but fish. The hands of the clock are moved ahead in the morning, righted at noon, 
and moved back in the evening to gain time; work starts by 3 in the morning, and 
the bathroom is frequently not cleaned up, if it is cleaned at all, until 10 and 11 at 
night. The employees appear weary; the Chinese, never very robust-looking, seem 
to drag along as though they would drop in their tracks. The tinned fish, after cool- 
ing, are stacked in great warehouses, for there is no time to lacquer, label, and box, 
as the energy of the whole force is concentrated in putting fish into tin cans and 
sealing them. The leaky cans accumulate, as the menders can not keep up with the 
work, resulting in a large percentage of do-overs. At last, when the force is about 
exhausted, a respite comes; the run slacks and there is a sigh of relief by all except 
the superintendent, who swears that he has not packed enough, though every can 
may be filled. The relief is only temporary, however; the lacquering, labeling, test- 
ing, and boxing must now be done, and there is a rush for the final clean up, all 
being eager to take their departure. While the Chinese are engaged in lacquering, 
etc., the fishermen and the beach gangs are pulling up the traps, drying and storing 
the nets, hauling out the fishing boats, and loading the transport vessels. When the 
cargo is on board, lighters, scows, and tenders are hauled out and put under cover, 
the doors are closed, the watchman takes charge, and the ships sail away with the 
pack and the human freight. 
Cannery men expect to be “cleaned up” in this district by the middle of August. 
CANS IN BRISTOL BAY. 
On account of the short time intervening between the arrival of the cannery ship 
and the beginning of the runs it is impracticable to carry the tin plate and make all 
the cans by hand on the working ground, according to the practice in the other dis- 
tricts. Until recent years all the cans were transported. At the present time 30 to 
40 per cent are made at the canneries and the rest are carried from the home port. 
It was noticed that some of these were rusty, and upon inquiry it was learned that 
many were in this condition, caused probably by being packed in boxes made of 
green lumber. 
Can-making machines are now being installed, and the latest pattern seems to work 
well, so that the day is not far distant when the cans will be made from day to day as 
they are wanted. This will effect considerable saving in labor, in storage room, and 
injury in handling. Besides, the machine-made can is better than the one made by 
hand. It has fewer defects, fewer leaks, and consequently there are fewer do-overs. 
