The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-10-20
Il Was the First on the Pacific Coast
and One Of the Oldest In the
United States.
DESCRIBING THE PROCESSES
II Has Done Much 10 Keep the
TOOIhSOme Chinook Salmon Upon
the Dinner Bill Of Fap.

Hidien away among the hills Of old
Shasta county, twenty-five miles from
ReddinR and the railroad, stands the
oldest government FISH hatchery on
the Pacific Coast. Clear, cold, spark
ling, the McCloud river rushcs along
the narrow canyon It has worn into the
country rock. Just where frowning
Mount Persiphone casts shadow
across the river at early morning. the
waters form pool, and here the gov.
ernment station is located. The spot is
ideal, and earth offers the varied de-
lights Of climate and scenery TO the
men Who come here TO catch nature in
the act and gently force the process,
The hatchery Al Baird is not only the
Oldest on the Pacific Coast, but 1t IS
one OF the oldest in the United States.
in the year 1864 member Of the New
hampshire legislature foresaw the con-
dition which the future must hold II
some steps were not taken to offset the
rayages made every year on the salmon
flshing grounds of the country. This
thoughtful lawmaker secured the pass
age Of measure providing for the ex-
perimen, OF taking salmon eggs and
Matching them in place OF safety.
How successful the experiment proved
is well known. The first eggs were OBJ
tained from fish in Canadian streams,
IT. 1854 United States Fish Commission
er Spencer F. Baird issued instructions
TO Professor Livingston Stone, A. NJ,
TO proceed northward through Callfor-
MIA in ar endeavor to locate spawn
ing ground in this state. Professor
Stone was told by two hunters that
they had seen the Indians spearing
salmon in large numbers at a point on
the MeCloud river just above its con-
fiuence with the Pint. Professor
Stone found the place, erected a hatch
cry. and on September l6, 1872, made
the tnst catch Of salmon. Ever since
that time the hatchery at Baird has
been one II re NEST successful u2.r-
ated by the government.
Captain G. H. Lambson. who also 4
has charge Of the Battle Greek station.
is superintendent Of the hatchery at
Baird His house stands ON the blum /
above the river, and the American flag,
nying from the staff. can be seen for
miles. The old hatchery building. no
longer large enough. was recently re-
placed by more commodious struet-
ure. The new building is 100 feet long.
Narrow troughs run half its length.
The wire baskets containing the Srgs
are placed in these troughs, and large
water wheel, working centrifugal
pump. sends 900 gallons OF water into
the troughs per minute. In the flowing
water the eggs are Matched.
TIE pool which forms the seining
ground is 500 feet in length A rack
'rossing the stream at the lower end
If the pool is fitted with V-shaped in
cts, extending ten feet into the pool.
The small opening through which the
ish pass is at the apex Of the inlet.
Having gone through into the pool, il
s seldom that the salmon finds its way
'ut again. At the uper end OF the pool
restraining rack prevents the fish
rom going further up the stream. Once
within the seining ground the fish are
.asily captured and handled.
The salmon go from salt water to the
pawning ground in two seasons. The
ummer run continues from the middle
4 August to the latter part Of Septem-
'er; the fall run from the middle OF
october until the latter part of Deem
'er The summer run fish are consid-
red more valuable than the others.
The Baird station is the only one on
he coast where summer run fish are
btained and propagated. During the
wO runs Of 1888. 1000 female fish were
AIKEN. Nearly all these were Of the
amous Chinook variety A few hump
acks get up the river, but these are
are. Only the Chinook eggs are
aiken.
Near the lower rack. where the net
landed, ara two fish pens; one for
he females and another for the
bucks" The pens are small in order
hat the fish may be lifted out with
ip nets. Sometimes large numbers Of
sh are left in these pens for several
ays. Not enough food substance floats
trough these pens to sustain the fish.
nd the fact that they never suffer
GEMS 70 prove that salmon do not eat
n their trip from salt water to the
pawning grounds.
The seining. under the supervision Of
brennan Claude Walllch, is carefully
nd systematically done Six or eight
zen engage in the work. The net is
rawn by windlass operated by horse
over. From thirty to forty salmon
re taken at haul. As the net touches
7e sand the men wade in and seize the
sh. The male is distinguished from
lie female by the pointed head and
Ooked mouth. A hasty examination
Rows whether the fish is ripe, and, II
}, st is carried to one Of the pens; II
ot It is thrown back. When a sufil-
ent number Of hsh are in the pens
: j