, 1884-02-14
Black Cod.
BOOM AT TIE EAsT-RARE CHANCE FOR
OUR Fl ISHERMEN-A MlRkET ALREADY
PROVIDED.

PROVIDED
Judge Swan received in yester-
days mail the following letter, whirh
he has kindly allowed us to co. Y for
the benefit of the public:
U. s. Commission Of Fish and
Fisheries.
WASHINGTON, d. C.. Jan. 30, 1883.
DEAR Mn. SwAN:-There continues
to be inquiries for samples of the
black col fer smoking; the general
impression being, us stated, that the
fish Is of more value than appeared
ut first. If you can therefore az
range to have few hundred weight
properly prepared and sent on, 50 a
to extend the tests, it will help the
opom of the FISH
JAS. G.. SWAN, ESQ. Yours truly,
Pt. Townsend, ". L. S. f. BAIRD.
Commissioners.
The manner of packing the black
cod, as adopted with marked success
by Mr.. Swan, was to salt them well
in watts, then pile them up in long
pile, skin side up, and put planks and
heavy stones upon them 10 press out
the pickle, then pack them in boxes
with dry salt. The fish should be
split and treated like Goldfish. Mr..
swan will give all the knowledge Ill
nis possession regarding these fish t.
persons applying to him Whoever
goes into this business first is sure OF
making money; at present no one Is
engaged in it, althoug'i it is said that
the black cd are very plentiful in
the deep waters of Hoods Canal, Adj
.uirihty Inlet and Fnca Straits. Tn,
Makahs at Cape Flattery c.,n catcl.
any quantity of them, bat they ask
such exorbi,an prices-Sl apiece,
that no one can afford to put them
up.
We believe that the deep sea gill
nets, such as are now used in the cod
fisheries in the east are the best foi
the black cod. Parties in town, we
are informed, have already written
to eastern friends for exact infor
nation regarding the use of The deel.
sea sill nets. which is unknown oil,
this coast. This is a new industry,
and by Judge Swans exartions.
through the U. S. Fish Commission.
market has been opened for the
black cod in the eastern cities, which
ar u3T dsnInl ling supply
1t is unfortunate for this Territory
that our Legislature has not see.
bit long ago to provide a &C mmissioG-
ar or otusr authorized person OF
board, to foster oar fishing industrie
md bring unused but no less import
ant food fishes into public notice.
WhtneAer the suhjret was broached.
however, there was always some zeal
oas sulon to raise the cry that some-
oody wanted a fiat billet" The fish
cries of Puget S1und, if properl,
looked after, Sd as to enlist capital in
their development, will prove in th,.
future to be am 1n5 ne mo't Import
ant elem snts of We 4lrh in our already
great aud growing Territory
The enterprise manifested by our
British Columbia neighbors in re-
gard to the food fishes of the prov
ince Is il such marked contrast with
the indifference and stupidity OF
Washington Territory in such mat
ters that it ought not only to. excit,
)mment, but stimulate our people
t. better works III the future. In
1882, when the Smithsonian Institn-
tion instructed Judge Swan to col
lect specimens of our food fishes for
the int 4rn Itiolll exhibition. not n
fisherman or dealer in fish on Puget
Sound felt interest enough to furnish
pound of his product for spec
l'nen,notwithstanding publ. notice
vas given and the information WIS
published that all specimens would
be forwarded to Washington by
express, free OF charge to the sen ler.
and would receive proper attention
by the Smithsonian authorities
British Columbia dealers in fish sent
literally of their wares, and their
rswards came in the shape of medals
lwarded, and Widespread advertise
ment for them. In the present case,
wherein specimens of black cod are
wanted for the eastern market, Brit
ish Columbia people have to he
depended On to furnish them. It is
no longer a question of making a
market fer these fish because it
already exists; neither does the
question of the existence of the fi.h
IN large numbers cut a figure, be-
cause it has been de -lonstratel that
they may b.. had by the ton simply
or the taking The whole question
Is resolved into that of oper ting tue
black cod fishery to meet demand
already existing.
Remember that the best cigals in tswn
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