Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-09-06
The Oyster Trade.

About two hundred and ffty small scheon-
er-rigged vessels are engaged IN the oyster
business, about one hundred and seven
ty fiye OF which are kept employed during
the Summer in planting. Morris River cove
has been a renowned place for oyster plant
ing; but recently beds have been N ade in Duck
Creek, abreast of Mahone's Ditch Light
The beds extend out from the shore a dis
tance varying from three to five miles, and
there is no protection for them, save in the
honor OF tn ose en- ged in the trade. As gene
raj thing, one oysterman jealoasly guards the
rights OF others; but occasionally some free
booter comes along and makes sad havoc with
the bed of soMe good fellow who has expended
time and money In creating It, This however.
is one of the chances of the trade, and as every
business has its risks, the oystermen bear
with it as best they may.
The planting season generally commences
in March or April, and continues to July or
August Many OF the oystermen do not touch
the beds planted in one season until the next,
because they are enabled to use from the bed of
the previous year. There are those, however,
who commence in September upon the bed
planted that year.
Each boat has q crew from four to six men,
and a. general thing the best ship stores are
supplied them. A ship chandler who sup
plies bad coffee or sugar cannot long con.in ne
to put mp the stores for an oyster pungy. The
crews are we'll nd, and many of them main
tain their families in comparable style, and
keep on hand good outfit of clothing neces-
sary to their exposed work. Occasionally we
hear OF the loss OF one of these boats by stress
of weather. and then Spruce street wharf is
in Il utter of excitement. Sympathy is prac-
tically extended to the unfort tunates or their
families, as each man planks down the cash
to the extent OF his means. and only regrets
that he cannot do better. There are employed
on the wharf about enc hundred men in the
capacities OF agents. who sell the bivalves
those who pass them out OF the hold OF the
vtesel Oh TO the wharf, and the collectors.
Those who dispose OF the oysters are hand
somely paid. but it is a business that fe W would
fancy outside Of the hardy class engaged in it.
as they are exposed to the biting winds from off
the water all day long. The collectors visit
the hotels and restaurants, and receive the
money for the oysters delivered; and when 1t
is recoIlected there are nearly l,G00 of these
places licensed. and nearly the same number
unlicensed, it will be perceived that the COL
1ectors have their hands full. 1t sometimes
happens (but we are glad to say, for the sake
OF the craft, very seldOm) that a collector will
look through the bottom OF tumblers too often
in his tOur, and bring mp at a station house,
M mus some OF his funds.
Itwonld be difficult 10 estimate The number
OF persons who make good living about the
wharves by opening oysters There are some
boys who handle the oyster knife with amaZ-
Ing rapidly, and many women purchase
quantity Of oysters and open them in c!eanly
and fast manner.
A number OF wsgons have to be kept con
stantly on hand TO haul the oysters to the
places OF business OF those who deal in them,
or to the private residences of gentlemen who
give large parties. In this connection, we
heard OF q gentleman who gave large pariv
last w in ter and invited his male guests 10 a
room where a quantity of elegant oysters were
disposed around, and an oyster knife for each
gent. There was Some cutting of hands, but
the novelty of the thing caused all to ENJOY
the repast and boast for some days of their ex-
pertness in oyster opening g-Phikadelphia