The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-01-17
800 and 802 First Ave., Seattle.

mission on the Kalama river, in CowIita
county, about four miles from the Column
bia, the land for which was donated by
the citizens of that county.
Upon this site a suitable building was
erected and fully equipped with every
modern appliance for successfully operat-
ing an artificial hatchery. Although the
contract for the building was not let until
the 10Th of July last, the entire work was
completed in sufficient time for the hatch
cry to obtain and save over 100000 salmon
eggs during the spawning season, and it is
confidently expected that a like number Of
young salmon will be turned into the Ka-
lama river during the coming spring. T
consider that the state has been extremely
fortunate in the selection, and in being
able to secure the service of the present
superintendent of the hatchery, Mr.. Solo
man Wheeler, to whose perfect knowledge
of the business and efficient management
is due the lions share of the credit for the
successful and gratifying results obtained.
THE hatchery has a capacity of turning out
5000 900 young salmon annually. An eX-
perimenta1 station for taking and cycling
spawn has also been built on the Chinook
river, in Pacific county. The total amount
expended from the fish hatchery fund up
to November 1, including the construction
of the buildings on the Kalama and Chi
nook rivers and the operation and MAIN
tenance of the hatcheries, was $7,f7.
In 1894 the United States fish commissions
er caused eighty barrels of Eastern oys-
tiers to be planted in Willapa harbor as an
experiment. An examination of these this
year revealed the fact that the oysters
have lived and grown, but as yet have
shown no signs of propogating.
In the Columbia river district the spring
pack of salmon amounted to 1903 cases,
at valuation of $2711, S5375. The fall pack
amounted to 137,086 cases, value Sass 500. so.
besides which fresh and salt salmon were
sold to the value of $164,664. The sturgeon
catch amounted to $50,202. SO, and caviar
from the roe of sturgeon $14, 655. Columbia
: river smelt $9,6S2, and the trout, tom cod.
carp and other small fish taken adds from
$1,000 to $1,000 more to the total for this dis
trict. The figures relat ting to the salmon
pack are the totals for both Oregon and
Washington each state being credited with
one-half, although I am quite satisfied that
if the exact proportion of fish taken from
the waters of each state could be arrived
at, Washington's share would be the
greater by considerable; but under present
conditions it is practically impossible to ar
rive at exact conclusions in this respect,
for the reason that the fishermen Of both
states fish at will in either waters. re-
greet to state that the sturgeon industry
has during recent years deprecated to
such an extent, owing to the rapacity OF
man and the murderous methods employed
in taking them, that sturgeon fishing is
scarcely any longer profitable. And this in
spite of the fact that greater efforts are
being made each year in this direction and
better prices offered than ever before. But
the supply is in no manner at present equal
to the demand. Unless decisive legislation
for the protection of this valuable fish Is
speedily enacted, it Is greatly to be feared
the sturgeon will, like the bison Of the
plains, wholly disappear. Smelt were ia
Irax, TIVE fha unoSsfe
to become a vertable drug in the mar
ket." They were SO numerous In the Co
lumbia and tributaries that they could be
scooped up with a common bucket.
The fish industry in the Willapa and
Gray's Harbor district Of the state has
made rapid and gratifying growth in
cent years. Only the fall run of salmon
frequents these waters. A new cannery has
been built on the Willapa river, and was
successfully operated the past season. A
company has also been organized for the
purpose of handling fresh, and by cold
storage, the fish of this district A cold
storage house has been erected, one
schooner has been purchased, and the COM
pany is negotiating for another. 1t is the
purpose Of the company to fish for halibut.
cod black cod and other salt water fish in
addition to their salmon industry opera
tions. Notwithstanding the fact that the
packing establishment on Grays Harbor
did not begin operations until two months
later than usual, it's salmon pack was 1850
cases, valued at $500, and about 1.O31. 5H
pounds of fresh salmon were Shipped
amounting to s22, 49, The statistics for
Willapa harbor are as follows: The salmon
mack amounted in round numbers to $751;
zoo. Fresh salmon shipped, $500. Consider
able attention is given to the oyster and
clam industry in the Willapa country, S6l,-
500 worth of oysters and CLANS having been
shipped from that harbor the past sea-
! son.
The statistics Of the fisheries OF Pu9se