THE SALMON AND SALMON FISflERIES OF ALASKA. 
27 
There is great variation in diiferent canneries in all the various processes, but 
one principle in cutting is kept in view by all; that is, to cut the fish transversely in 
sections the exact length of the can. The usual method is to have a large wooden, 
cylindrical carrier, with ledges or rests on the outside the length of the carrier, wide 
enough to hold the fish, and slit in cross section through the ledges and outer casing 
to receive the gang knives. The gang-knives are circular, fixed on an axle at the 
proper distances apart, and revolve at the highest point reached by the carrier and 
independently of the latter. The carrier and gaug-kuives are set in motion, each 
revolving on its own sliaft. As a rest on the carrier comes to a horizontal position, 
men stationed at the fish bins lay a fish on each ledge as it passes. Thence it is con- 
veyed to the revolving gang-knives, and, after being divided, passes through and on 
the downward course the severed fish slides off the rest upon the filling-table. 
Test kettles. 
The cutting carriers of the larger canneries are usually elliptical. This form gives 
a larger carrying capacity and transfers the divided fish to a higher point, from which 
the filling is more readily done. In some of the smaller canneries the gaug-kuives 
are worked by hand. In this case the knives are not circular, but elongated or semi- 
circular in shape, tapering at the outer euds. They are mounted on an axle having a 
large iron lever at one end, and when this lever is raised the ends of the gaug-kuives 
are thrown up and back. The fish is then i^laced in position under them and the lever 
pulled forward, when the knives, with a scimiter like movement, divide the fish. 
Most canneries use filling machines, but as these machines are covered by a 
patent owned by one of the large packing organizations they are difficult to obtain. 
One filling machine will fill 800 cases per day, and the larger canneries have from two 
