The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-07-28
COLUMBIA RIVER SALMON cArcuINo.
More than II 100000 lbs. OF Fish Canned In
Henr-How the Work L. Done.


ASTORIA, Oregon, July l3.--Few persons in
the Eastern States realize the extent Of the Sal
mon canning industry upon this river The
first cannery was established in 1868 by Mr..
Hume. who journcycd from Maine to California
and started Il cannery on the Sacramento river.
whence he soon transported his enterprise to
the banks OF the Columbia, attracted By the
superiority both In number and quality Of the
oregon flsh. Ho had uphill work for n time
until his brand OF FISH became known in the
Eastern and English markets. after which the
demand rapidly increased, and the business be.
came 80 profitable that canncrics were erected
Mt every eligible point between the mouth 81 tho
river and the cascades. $50 miles above. There
are now twenty eight lnrge cannerics upon tho
river, moro than two-thirds OF which are ut
Astoria.
The catch Of salmon last season reached the
large number 81 .2jOOOO fish. averaging about
twrhty-threo pounds the flsh are taken in nets
nnd upward OF forty miles length Of these nets
are set ont every fine night The bonts stnrt out
about 4. ~. aud u very pretty sight il is TO
Sc" 900 To- 600 OF them starting in u brisk
Drecze aud bcntng. down. toward the bar
about twelve miles below Astoria. Tho catch
greatly varies the highest number this senson
being little over 10000 on the Goth of May
The prize fish Of that grcnt catch weighed sixty
two pounds. The fishermen earn an average OF
- day through the season the cnnncries fur
nlshing nets and hoais. The canneries are inn
mense wooden buildings upon piles with the
river flowing under their floors.
On the arrival OF the boats In the morning
the nsll are taken in hand 10y the cleaners. who
are skilled Cinnamon, and VINO polish on fish
and pnsS II on to the cutting machines i'm
wonderfully qnck time. From the cutting
mhchlnes the pie"s nre carried indoors 10 the
packers who I'LL the ems and piss them on to
the cnppers. who quickly put toys on thom and
send them along to the cooking tanks. Before
nnnlIy closing tho cans; each one II carefully
tested ~ an expert. and II The slightest leak is
on the the n i"n S % aside an3 for GT Sc a
closed up. The cans are then vanished.
labelled and packed in cuscs holding four
dozen c-pound or two dozen two pound cans
the cases ara branded, and the fish are ready
for shipment. The whole operation OF clean
Ing, camping. aud cooking. il done 10y China
men, and must be performed with great celebrity.
particularly when the nights chtch has been
heavy, as no ish are allowed TO remain over TO
Times TO go through as many rs 5000 fish. I'LL
ing ~ 200 cans, in one day The upper floors
OF ne buildings are filled with busy employees
making cans. nearly 9OOO.O00 cans being re-
CURED by the Astoria canneries for their sea
sons work. which lasts about 100 days.
The % canncries on the river put UP $50 900
cases. containing II 100000 pounds 81 salmon.
last season and expect to do as much this
season. though they complain that Ash are get.
nsh passing M the river Is diminishing. the
nets aud iishcrnen are increasing. and there is
rem danger NAT Sl the snlmon that come into
m. cost OF flsh has risen with tho demand.
and tho multiplication, Of canneries. from 10
cents to 90 cents per fish. and the profits are
proportionately lesscned The following IL.
believe. "A correct estimate Of the cost
" a four-do2en case TO the cannery
u this seasons prices: Cans. AZ ut &c..
flIi; fish. 8. ut Soc. tl.7j: labels, Toe.
c,ses Is, lead and tin. 12c. labor and fuel.
soc. total. 81 80; worth, Mt 81 20 per dozen. SIS
leaving but Gle margin To- cover rent. interest,
insurance. and repairs Ia buildings. boats. and
nets. The cauneries In British Columbia and
Alaska get thoir fish for five cents each and
thus save tl5l per cas-" saving which must
make the northern rivers formidable cOmpeti-
tore to III" Columbia in the canning business
IL II obvious that the industry hero has reached
lts maximum. and that II cannot be Kept up ut
lis present rate without rapidly eXhausting the
supply Of nsh.
The Columbia river salmon is n splendid FISH
fully equal In flavor b. the best Scotch salmon
and superior H. the salmon taken in the waters
O: Maine and Canada