The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-12

three miles, and are owned exclusively by the far
mers who live along the banks OF the Shrewsbury,
who possess certain water privileges emitting
them to plant as far as low water mark The law,
however, we believe Is not very strictly enforced in
this case for told that the bedsextend across
the river, which Is between two and three hundred
yards wide. When the tide recedes the oysters are
exposed to view, and may be gathered with an Or
binary ptchfork. The operation Of" tongingn Is only
necessary with those that lie in the bed OF the river
and therefore comparatively few boats required
The larger part OF those sent to New York are trans
ported by steamboat. The farmers employ persons
to take them up at low tide, and send them to mar
ket to be sold, on their own account. In some few
instances they enter into sort of partnership with
oystermen owning sailboats, who obtain one-haf the
profits in consideration of the service rendered by
them This service consists in taking them from the
beds with "tongs" and conveying them TO this city.
There are two branches of the river in which they
are planted but those procured from the beds in the
southern branch command higher price, The bot
tom OF the river is covered with rich black mud to
the depth of from four to six feet and 1t is this which
gives the oyster its yellow color and peculiar flavor
The northern branch does not possess the same char
actersc in 30 great degree and Is therefore MOI so
favorable for the purposes Of planting. 1t is only
those who are particularly nice and discriminating
in their tastes, however, who can tell the difference
between the product of either branch. They sell at
an average Of eighteen dollars thousand, and when
scarce they cannot be purchased for less than
twenty.
1t may be reasonably supposed that farm on the
borders of the Shrewsbury, with such valuable water
privileges as those we have described, would realize
fortune in short time for its proprietor. An
oyster bed there is almost valuable as gold mine,
less injurious to health, and easier to work. Their
owners are not only well to do in the world" but
considered by those in the trade wealthy. They
are not required to pay any tax for their privileges.
and there is very little risk attending their business
compared with that to which others are subject.
About two hundred thousand dollars worth are sold
demand. There is no possibility of an increase in
the supply, however for the only part OF the river
capable OF growing them is already laid out in beds
and its productive powers are now taxed TO their
fullest extent.
The trade in Shrewsbury oysters differs very ma.
terially from all others; there are less oystermen
engaged in it, in consequence OF large portion being
sent to this city by steamers in place OF soops and
other salboats The capital invested in Is perhaps
less in proportion to the value of the article. than
that invested in the East river and Virginia trades,
and the profits derived from it are more considerable
The propretors Of tile beds it is particularly worthy
of remark, combine the two very dissmilar occupa-
tons OF farmers and oyster dealers.
BLUE POINT AND SOUND OYSTERS.
About twenty years ago, the oysters from Blue
Point were considered the best sold in this city, and
they formed the staple at that time. great
change has since taken place, however, and the sup
ply is as limited as that Of tie Shrewsburys. At
one time, from some cause, OF which little is known,
they disappeared altogether, and none could be OBJ
tanned from the beds. The race Of "Blue Pointers
were thought to be extinct; but they appeared again
in as unaccountabe manner as they mad disap
peared. II is supposed that their apparent annihia
ton was caused by change III the water, or in
the nature of the rock upon which they grew
Another reason given for it is not at all improbable
and, to mind, more satisfactory than either OF
those adducedit is, that their destruction was oc
casiOned by the filing up Of the beds with sand
This, it iswell known, is most fatal to oysters, and
many still continue to bcsked in the same manner.
ia n AmbOV.
beds extend over an area of from eight to ten miles.
The value of the whole amount taken up IN one
year does not exceed two hundred thousand dollars
They are sold for an average Of ten shlings hun
dred from the beds; but, as they are scarce, and
have good reputation they sell at a considerable
advance upon this price when brought to market
At one period, when they might he regarded as IN
their prime, they attained q remarkable size; but
now their proportions, as well their numbers, have
been greatly reduced.
There are about two hundred persons engaged in the
business, including the proprietors and the hands
employed in working the beds. The oysters are
taken up during the months of September. October,
and November, and are all disposed of to the New
York dealers.
on the south side Of Staten Island, in an estuary
which has been dignited with the name Of q sound.
The beds arc principally artificial, and are planted
with tic natural growth OF Newark Bay, Inc oys
tiers Of Newark Bay generally cassed under the
title Ct Sound oysters: and We have included them 10
our estimate Of the amount Of yearly sales as such
Occasionally, few are brought from the Delaware
Bay; but those obtained from that locality ha Q a
poor reputation and regarded as inferior to the
growth of our own waters. For this reason, not
more than one-siyth Of the whole amount cultivated
are Delawares. There are from one hundred
and fifty to two hundred men employed in their
cultivation, or in bringing them to market,
and the value of the whole amount sold
during the year does not exceed fifty thousand
dollars. The boats used in transplanting and in
transporting them to this city sloops and skiiis
hn;p cd lu
hands. The average value of each boat is about
ten hundred dollars, and the whole amount OF capital
invested in the Sound trade, including boats and
beds, may be estimated ut two hundred and hity
thousand dollars.
YORK BAY OYSTERS.
The oysters known by this name are taken from
the natural beds in Newark Bay, and planted over q
portion Of bay extending from Jersey City as fai
down as South Amboy. A considerable proportion
are obtained from the North river, but the Jersey
oystermen, whom they are planted, are obliged to
pay for them before they are permitted to remove
them from the natural beds, which are in the pos
session Of New Workers. Before the late difficulty,
however we believe the beds were free to the jersey
men but since then they have not been permitted to
approach them except for the purpose of buying
oysters. There are ut least ten hundred men
employed in cultivating these oysters for the pur-
pose Of shipping them The hardness Of their shell,
anu the peculiar SdltneSs VI lcHuCl
better adapted for shipping than any Others and they
are therefore used almost wholly for the Western
trade The boats employed in transporting them from
the North River and Newark Bay to the arti6
cial beds, are open, and each generally manned
by three or four men. These men are the principal
owners of the boats and their attention is devoted
exclusively to the cultivation Of oysters for the mar
ket of this city. Their beds staked outthat is
the limits of each are marked by its owner with
stakes This is very necessary It prevents the oc
curTence of disputes among the various owners in
II sometimes happens that the stakes are torn up by
storms and that the boundaries are in this man
ner efaced but it very seldom happens that any ser
ious difficulties occur in consequence. The beds ar
advantage of the other, in the new limitation, no un
pleasant feeling is caused by it. These men work
In sloops and skiffs owned by themselves. Tn
owners of each boat also proprietors OF one Q
more beds planted by themselves. There Is abou