THE SALMON AND SALMON FISHERIES OF ALASKA. 
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moutli one barrel of herring will furnish about half a gallon of oil/ sometimes less; 
from this time the oil increases until the early part of September, when about 3.^ 
gallons of oil are obtained from one barrel of fish. It then decreases, and in December 
a barrel of fish will furnish about 2 gallons of oil. 
One hundred barrels of herring make 2^ tons of dry fish-guano. This is simply 
fish refuse dried in retorts after the oil has been extracted, and containing 8 to 10 per 
cent of moisture. 
In 1890 the output was as follows : From 27,750 barrels of herring there were made 
90,650 gallons of oil and 550 tons of guano. This is the smallest output of oil since 
the second year of operation. 250 half-barrels of herring, 25 barrels of salmon, and 150 
half-barrels of salmon bellies were salted. 
At the time of our visit the oil and guano works were running to their full capacity, 
and the statistics for 1897 could not then be obtained. Later it was learned that the 
catch for 1897 amounted to 35,000 barrels of herring, from which 125,000 gallons of 
oil were prepared, valued at 25 cents per gallon, 780 tons of fisli fertilizer valued at 
|27 per ton, and 950 half-barrels of salt herring valued at $3.50 per half-barrel. The 
season was poor, owing to stormy weather. 
The herring of , southeast Alaska are small, but in season are rich in oil and of 
delicious flavor. They are found in many localities running in immense schools, some 
years in smaller numbers, in fact almost disappearing where formerly they were 
abundant, and appearing in localities not visited before, only to return after several 
years to their former feeding-grounds. As herring are food for other fishes, and as it 
is said of these fish that they are found where the bait is, so it may be said that herring 
go with their bait, which is said to be a small crustacean occurring in someiflaces in 
myriads. 
In April the herring come to the shores in countless numbers to spawn, deposit- 
ing their eggs in the sea grass, rockweed, and on the bushes hanging in the water. At 
this time the Indians plant hemlock twigs at the low- water mark, where they become 
covered with spawn, after which they are gathered in canoe loads. The spawn is 
heaped upon the twigs, to which it adheres in grapelike clusters, which are sometimes 
called “Alaska grapes,” and is consumed by the natives in large quantities, either 
fresh or dried, and cooked as occasion demands, and for winter use. Usually it is 
eaten with rancid oil, which is the sauce that goes with all their delicacies, even with 
bei-ries. 
For many years the inlet at Kootznahoo has been the favorite resort for herring, 
though lately they seem less abundant. They are found in great numbers on the 
northern shore of Kuiu Island and at times many are taken in the vicinity of Juneau. 
The steamer DoljjMn cruises through all the interior waters and makes a catch wherever 
herring are found. Cetaceans, halibut, king salmon, and other fish follow the schools 
and consume immense numbers. 
The Indians use the herring only during the time they are present in their waters, 
curing none for winter food. In catching them for their own use a long stick or pole 
having at the end, and for some distance froni it, a large number of sharp-iiointed 
nails, is swept through the water, with a paddle-like motion, like a rake, impaling the 
fish on the nails. At the end of the movement the pole is brought over the canoe, 
given a shake which detaches the fish, and then thrust into the water again. In this 
manner a canoe load is quickly made. 
