The Messenger. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1858-18??, 1860-01-19
COMMUNICATED.
AN OYSTER ESTABLISH
MENT.

AN OYSTER ESTdBLlSd-
MENT.
There are comparatively few per-
sons who are aware that there is an
oyster establishment in our County,
and fewer still who have an adequate
conception of the extent and opera
tons of this new branch of business.
For our own part we must confess
to a total want Of knowledge respec-
ting the trade in bivalves as pursued
by . certain firm of whom we shall
speak presently, until a visit to the
house in question had the effect Of
enlightening us on this point. As
sisted by the very geLtlemanly pro-
prietors, who suffered themselves to
be made the targets for the volley
of Yankee-like inquiries we directed
at them, they in the mean time
standing the fire of our questions
with Christian-like patience and
grace, we succeeded, at the risk Of
boring them UNNECESSARILY with al
most interminable evidences Of our
curiosity, of eliciting many facts a.
bout the business in all its details.
In submitting to our system Of pun
ping, these gentlemen kindly gave
US all the information we asked,
which information we availed our
self of for the benefit Of the readers
of the Messenger, and which at the
hazard of exhausting or taxing too
much our descriptive powers, as we'll
as the patience of the readers, we
proceed to impart.
The establishment referred to is
situated within few rods of the
Delaware Railroad Depot, and a.
bout a half a mile Of Seaford. The
first thing that engages the atten.
ton of one approaching this lacality
is an immense pile Of shells, estima-
ted to contain 10000 bushels, or
sufficient to fertilise five or six of
the largest farms in Sussex County.
These shells are sold at the rate of
two and ahalf cents per bushel.
Since the opening of the establish
ment, about 10000 bushels have
been sold and taken away, One
man whose farm is on the river,
made an offer for 20,0 bushels of
shells few weeks ago. A fine OPP
portunity is presented to any one
convenient, to enrich farm without
great cost. If these shells are not
disposed Of in their present condi-
ton, it is the intention of the gen
tlemen to made kilns for the purpose
of burning them.
After one has sufficiently recover
ed from his surprise at beholding
such an enormous collection of
shells, to enter the house, his ears
will be saluted with din which is
almost deafening. The building,
which is go feet long and 40 wide,
is divided into four compartments,
two of which are rooms in which the
oysters are opened, and two packing
rooms, where the oysters are put in
cans. In the large or working rooms
are over 70 troughs, calculated
to hold two bushels each, before
which the laborer stands; has d.
vision, oae portion holding the oys-
tiers, and the other containing two
buckets, into one of which the lar
gest and finest oysters are placed,
and in the other the smaller, each
bucket holding one gallon; an aper-
ture is made in TIE trough, tdrough
which the shells fall on the floor;
when they are removed by four per-
sons employed for the purpose; o
sharp iron instrument. attached to a
block is in the trough; on this instru-
ment the thin end Of the oyster is
laid and is cut off with one blow Of
the hammer; the knife is then in
serted, and with the greatest ex-
pertness imaginable, the oyster is
removed from the shell, without
touching it with the finger, and de-
posted in the bucket, the shell 60
ing underneath the bench. 1t is
surprising with what facility thi: