ALASKA SALMON' INVESTIGATIONS IN 1900. 
181 ) 
were used, an increase of 32.5 per cent. It should be noted, however, that in the 
latter the tail pieces were rejected, but were packed under a separate brand. 
Inquiry made of cannerymen in the Bristol Bay district shows that it was gen- 
erally conceded that it took from 80 to 85 pounds of live redfish to make a case in 
this district. It is my own opinion that if the waste from all sources be considered, 
at least 100 pounds of live redfish are .used, destroyed, or wasted for every case 
of this species of salmon packed in this district. 
INFLUENCE OF WINDS ON MOVEMENTS OF FISH. 
So far as observations have been made it has been noticed that salmon in inland 
waters, and upon approaching - them, swim at a depth estimated at from 6 to 12 feet 
below the surface, and that they favor a course with the wind in approaching fresh 
water. At Koggiung, Naknek, and Egegak the southwest winds bring an abundance 
of fish during the run. At Ugashik the southwest winds are best, but northwest 
winds also are favorable, while on the Nushagak it is claimed that south and south- 
east winds give the best results in the fisheries. Upon examining a chart it will be 
noticed that these directions of winds are over the sea and toward the several locali- 
ties mentioned. As before noted, in midsummer the weather over the land in the 
Bristol Bay district is frequently quite warm and sunny, often too warm to keep the 
fish in good condition very long. It is claimed that cold weather, with light rain, 
gives the most favorable conditions for the successful operation of a cannery. 
SALTING. 
Every cannery in Bristol Bay, or, if more than one cannery in a locality is 
operated under one management, then every group of canneries, is fitted for salting 
salmon. When the fish run in such numbers that the cannery can not utilize all, the 
surplus goes to the salting tanks. Practically all the fish used in this manner are red- 
fish, of which 16,778 barrels were salted in 1900 and in addition 558 barrels of king 
salmon. 
During 1900 there was but one saltery operated solely as such in this district. It 
is situated on the Nushagak and had an output of 7,186 barrels of redfish and 536 
barrels of king salmon for the season. 
It is claimed that if salmon are dry-salted in kenches, and then boxed or barreled, 
they will become rusty, though this method ivas practiced in several instances in 
Southeast Alaska this year. The usual method in Alaska is to salt the fish down in 
wooden tanks or vats, and leave them until they are thoroughly shrunk and the water 
in them has been replaced by brine. They may then be washed out at any time and 
resalted into barrels. 
It is very difficult to obtain correct salting statistics, but the following, taken from 
the books of the Merchants’ Exchange at San Francisco, may at least show the varia- 
tions in different years. 
Total pack of Alaska salt salmon. 
1889 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
Barrels. 
... 6, 930 
1895 
... 13,417 
1896 
... 8, 913 
1897 
... 17,895 
1898 
... 21,290 
1899 
... 29,096 
1900 
Barrels. 
.. 14,234 
.. 7,700 
.. 15,127 
.. 18,718 
.. 22,872 
.. 17,687 
