BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
246 
tliis year has been comparatively large. As for the means for purchasing other pro- 
visions and clothing, it is here in the hands of any industrious man or woman. There 
is a great demand for dried fish — ukala in all the mining regions of the north, prin- 
cipally for dog food. The stores, of which there are two in Afognak, representing 
large trading companies, pay in trade (provisions and clothing) 2 cents per pound for 
ukala, and will purchase all brought to them. For the use of the natives here the 
supply of salmon has not decreased, and there should not be the slightest difficulty 
in easily obtaining in a short time all that is required for the family during the win- 
ter, and afterwards ukala can be made for sale or trade. We were not at Afognak 
during the redfish run, but it is said that it was very large; the humpbacks were 
running at the time of our visit, and they were very numerous. It was not necessary 
to hook them out of the stream; when wanted for examination we simply kicked 
them out on the bank. To show the abundance of fish, it may be mentioned that the 
ship’s dog dragged many struggling ones out of the water. 
The women, assisted by the old mer and children, usually prepare the ukala and 
do the garden work, so there is no excuse for the able men not seeking employ- 
ment in other fields; but the latter fancy that they must hunt, and imagine that they 
can do nothing else, or rather, that it is degrading to work. In former times hunt- 
ing formed the chief element of support, and while the fur-bearing animals have 
not entirely passed away, their numbers have declined to such an extent that the 
income derived from this source can now only be reckoned as incidental. The sea- 
otter hunter was an important man in his village; extensive preparations were made 
before his departure and he was feasted upon his return. He was looked up to as a 
leading spirit in the locality. The sea otter is practically passing away, but the 
hunter remains, and reports are made that he is starving. Possibly he may be short 
of food at times, but it is because he is not willing to exert himself; he is a sea-otter 
hunter in a sea that has few left, and he claims he can do nothing else. 
There is another field in which the native can earn sufficient money to provide 
for himself and family not only the necessities of life, but many of the comforts and 
a few luxuries. It is in cannery work. Frequent inquiry has been made at the can- 
neries, and the repty has always been to the effect that they are more than desirous 
to employ all the male population in the surrounding district, if the}’ are steady and 
reliable, and to give such labor employment throughout the season. Quite a number 
of the inhabitants of Afognak are so employed, several holding positions where skill 
is required, but the majority are shiftless, stop work after having earned a few dol- 
lars, and expend it in spirits if they can get it. The canneries, however, do not want 
a class who can not be depended upon in time of need. 
Unskilled labor at the canneries commands from $1 to $1.25 per day with good 
board, and, as the season in this district is long, a reliable hand may earn from $125 
to $150 during the summer — more than sufficient to carry him through the winter 
very comfortably if he is at all thrifty. The canneries will also purchase fish from the 
natives, paying from $30 to $35 per thousand for redfish. The hatchery at Karluk 
is partly supplied with fish taken by natives, and the superintendent states that two 
men on one occasion, in one day, made $15 each; this was, of course, very exceptional. 
At one cannery no cash is paid until the cannery is closed; this is done to hold the 
natives and prevent them from leaving as soon as they have earned a little money. 
