ALASKA SALMON INVESTIGATIONS IN 1900. 
335 
positions at either end of the line. This method of transportation is an old one, 
much used by mining men. 
As already indicated, there is a spawning platform adjacent to each ripening 
pond, and as but one of these is covered the spawn-taking is conducted almost wholly 
in the open air. In 1900 no spawning was done at one of the ponds, it being used 
for the bucks alone. The methods employed on the spawning platform and in the 
hatching-house were originally those followed at the salmon stations of the United 
States Fish Commission, and more especially at the quinnat hatchery at Baird, Cal., 
the changes inaugurated being the result of subsequent experience in the handling 
of the more delicate red salmon. 
Spawning is done by hand exclusively; strait-jackets are not necessary with 
these small fish. One hundred and fifty is counted a big day’s stripping, though as 
high as 224 have been handled. The spawn pans are circular, 9 inches in diameter at 
the top, beveled to T inches across the bottom, and inches deep; a thin coat of 
asphaltum lacquer prevents their rusting and renders them easily cleansed. Two 
methods are employed in the taking of spawn; the first method, which is considered 
the better, is the “dry,” the mixing of eggs and milt being done with the fingers. 
The eggs are not washed, but are placed directly in the baskets within two or three 
minutes after stripping. The second method is similar, except that after the two or 
three minutes have elapsed a little water is added; they are then allowed to stand 
until adhesion ceases and basketed without washing. When circumstances permit, 
tlie milt of two bucks is used to fecundate the eggs of one female. 
Twenty -five females are reckoned to a full basket, which, at the estimated average 
of 3,000 good eggs per fish, gives a total capacity of 75,000 eggs per basket. The 
diameter of the redfish egg ranges between 0.10 and 0.31 inch, with an average of 
about 0.22 inch. It is much lighter in color than the egg of the quinnat salmon, and 
has a very delicate appearance. At Karluk it has been found that redfish run from 
2,500 to 4,500 eggs, in rare instances 5,000, and that a fair average will be about 
3,700; but there is, of course, a certain unavoidable loss in the spawning operation, 
and frequently a large number of eggs come from the fish dead; 3,000, therefore, is a 
fair average. 
A glance at the sketch plan of the hatching-house will give a fair idea of its 
interior floor arrangement. There are 12 sets, or sections, of 4 troughs each, and f 
set of 3, making a total of 51 hatching-troughs. These troughs all measure 14 feet 
in length, 16 inches in width, and 7 inches in depth inside. They are built of clean- 
grained redwood, all sides surfaced, and all 2 inches thick. In making the joints a 
thick coating of asphaltum tar is spread over the parts to be joined, with an even 
layer of cotton wadding as calking material. The completed trough receives a coat 
of refined tar and two coats of asphaltum varnish. Built in this manner and properly 
supported the troughs will not warp or spring, and there has never been the slightest 
difficulty from leaks. This is an important consideration in the hatching-house. Not 
only do leaky troughs add greatly to the waste of water and keep the employees uneasy 
concerning the amount of water getting to the eggs, but the unavoidable jarring and 
other shocks connected with the necessary repairs are frequently fatal to a large num- 
ber of eggs. A dry trough makes a dry hatching-house, and in a dry house only will 
the best efficiency of the egg-picking crew obtain. Where one has to stand on a wet 
