PROPAGATION OF SALMON ON THE PACIFIC COAST. 
229 
I will, in conclusion, quote some remarks on tbe results of salmon breeding in 
California from the report of the California State Fish Commission for 1893-94: 
Our salmou fishery is of the greatest importance to us, as it furnishes a larger supply hy 800,000 
pounds than any other food-fish, the catch being 4,848,816 pounds in 1892. Hatching operations were 
inaugurated in 1873. In 1875 the take (of salmon in the Sacramento and San Joaquin) was 5,098,781 
jiounds; in 1878, 6,520,768 pounds; and in 1880, 10,837,400 iiouuds. 
In 1884, it became necessary to close the spawning station at Baird, as the salmon were pre- 
vented from ascending Sacramento River to that point by blasting oxierations above Redding, occa- 
sioned by the building of the railroad. Consequently, the xilantiug ceased and this station was not 
operated until 1888. The result was that the catch decreased until the effects of the resumi)tion of 
the artificial hatching again began to show in 1892. Since 1892 the increase has been very marked, 
and the results of the x'lanting of fry each year are again demonstrated. 
Since 1892 the salmon ixack at the canneries has steadily increased, while at the 
same time there has been a much larger demand for salmon in the markets of the 
State. 
The following table shows the decrease in the i>ack to 1892 and the subsequent 
increase, which we hope to see continued : 
Tear. 
Pounds. 
Cases. 
1888 
4, 039, 200 
1, 618, 471 
672, 121 
170, 425 
1, 496. 927 
1, 940, 009 
61,200 
25, 065 
10, 353 
2, 281 
23,336 
28, 463 
189U 
1891 
1892 
1893 
1894 
Through the kindness of Mi’. J. P. Babcock, chief deputy of the California Fish 
Commission, I have just been furnished with the following interesting statistics, illus- 
trating the increase of salmou in the Sacramento, from 1893 to 1895. October of 1895 
being a close month, the total number of pounds given for that year is, of course, less 
than it would otherwise have been. If, to supply the deficiency, Ave add the average 
of October, 1893 and 1894, to the total of 1895, which would then put the latter year 
on a basis of fair comparison with the two previous years, it makes the total of 1895 
3,040,000 pounds, or a gain of nearly 25 per cent over the year 1893. 
Table showing number of jiounds of fresh quinnat salmon handled in the San Francisco markets 
in 1893, 1894, and 1895. 
Months. 
1893. 
1894. 
1895. 
Pounds. 
137, 460 
93, 263 
139, 401 
374, 478 
325, 170 
70, 216 
149, 217 
575, 609 
(a) 
249, 753 
183, 789 
155, 090 
Pounds. 
128, 556 
103, 801 
163, 131 
211,552 
242, 126 
138, 675 
117, 616 
576, 991 
(a) 
403, 340 
276, 768 
192, 153 
Pounds. 
161, 641 
146, 250 
155, 791 
365, 387 
401, 787 
161, 989 
115,592 
447, 004 
(a) 
(«) 
431, 453 
326, 474 
February 
Aiiiiust 
October 
Total 
2, 453, 440 
2, 554, 609 
2,713, 458 
a Closed season. 
