Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1858-02-05


that of deriving q source of revenue from
our fandum. The oyster beds Of tho
other states. although protected by lsgis
ton are nevertheless exhausted to a. ter-
-rlble extent by the rapacity Of .heloyster
Although during the spawning
season, no one is allowed to rake the beds.
yet the constant drain upon them. togeth-
er with the raysges OF the star fsh. in
some States have injured them 70 such an
extent that the supply falls tar short Of
the demand. Here in Virginia. our oys.
ter fundum has no protection. not open
during the spawning season. A. all sea.
sons our beds, are open to the thousand
who sssking after presens gain. care uoths
ing for the interest Of those who are 20
follow. A hundred and Fifty sail az one
time have been seen catching oysteis in
one locality. What will be IN all proba-
bility. the Inevitable result OF this ever
laating raking in season and out Of season.
At our oyater beds? Nothing less than
an determination ofrthe delicious biyalves
or scarcity which will make them an ex-
pensive luxury. too dear for thousands
Who now enjoy them. To such an OK.
tsnt have our oysters been taken alread,
this season 20 Fair Haven. that even that
market 10 gfut,ed. and 100000 bushel
are aeoAt there. offered for sale as less
than their coat in Virginia. VIVA, is to
DO done with them? They cannot be
brought back. and Virginia oysters will
not live through the winter at the North.
consequently. they are to be used either to
make lime. or to fill up the docks. This
shameful waste il even so. the owner of
q considerable portion of these oysters
tells Us. they ere to be thrown away
May not a single decade OF this remorse-
less scra ching at our fundum. place our
oyster beds in the same category with
those Of other states. where tbs supply
cannot begin to meet the demand. If
our beds are Impoverished. there are NO
others to 60 to.
We entrsat our Legislators to look in>
to this fundum question. They must act
upon it during this session. We are
pleased TO know that a special committee
has been appointed upon this question.
and that Mr.. Paxton. Of Lexing ton. the
chairman. has visited the tidewater dis
trict AID gathered large amount of in
formation. and that next Monday q num-
SoA W "bAG6Aeo hIo W L4C6L d.
to give in their experience and kuowl.
edge Of the oyster trade. Governor Wise
haA our thanks Tor bringing this tubject
to the attention Of the Legislature, and
We hope yet to see his most sanguine ex-
pectation concerning the iundum roalIzed.
We have in our possessions. gathered
In the investigation of this subject. many
facsa relating to the oyster and its trade.
which We may At some future day give to
oar readers. We have also learnt the
Legislation Of the other States concerning
their oyster beds-but as detail of their
laws and regulations would be lengthy
il not siresome. we shall omit them. nor
even trouble our readers with suggestions
as 60 be best mode Of protecting and tax
ing the oyster beds Of this state. feeling a
full confidence in the ability of the com
mittee Of the Legislature to report q
practicable and just bill. We trust we
have said enough to convince every citi
zen Of our State not only Of the expedi-
ENJOY but OF the necessity Of state legisla-
ton in regard to the Oyster Fundum.