The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1869-12-03
ana generous sustenance to the com-
mun!ty, to become barren and unuro-
ductive? "nPie-
COAST FISHERIES.

mun!ty, to become barren and unpra-
ductive? Dp'o-
COAST FISHERIES,
In connection with this suhiect x-,,,,.
attention may be appropriateIv dirrct
ed to the Importance Of nt;I;S; @ ulrcct-
coast fisheries Tue entire sco tir,", n"i
OF our State, from Capo Fear to Ike
Savannah River, with its numerous
marshes, cstuaries and indcntatio,,,
ior width Of ten miles ON an av.r'
age may asserted to be almost litcr.,;-
~ paved with oysters. These hcIs
arc most iavorably located, beinp rcn,
rally just above or below the wotnr
liho, and can be gathered as reod;,,-
as potatoes. The heats of summor,;5,
not destroy them, and only tw;c,
within a half century have tiev bcn,
affected by frost, and they cun be in.
creased so as to supply overy possjLL,
demand, either for home consumnt;'u +'
or expectation. It is estimated tbo.
oysters each produce annually from
one to two millions of young, but SO
minute In sizo that the spawn floats
about in the water likc a cloud, until
1T is destroyed by the numerous ami.
mas that prey upon it, or smothere,l
IN the mud. The remedy for Till;
immense waste is to place solid bodies
III the way OF these wandering ami.
maculae, to which they readily attach
themselves; and are rapidly deyelon.
ca and on being transferred to suita-
PIC beds, in about three years arc cdi:
bic, and ready for tho market. Anv
arrangement that will intercent th,
floating spawn Of the oyster. such ~
the placing of hurdles or pine faggcty
near their beds, and their subse9acnt
removal to convenient and suitable
localities until they are matured and
ready Tor market, will furnish all tho
requirements Of successful oyster cul.
turc.
But, in addition to the permanent
inhabitants, the oyster beds of our
coast are frequented by immense nun.
bcrs OF scale and shell fish throupb-
out the season, that greatly increase
their value. The sea crab and sbrimn
not excelled in favor and delicacy by
any of their species, visit them in un-
told numbers, and can be taken in
any quantity with the net or seine.
The drum q fine fish for the table.
weighing upon an average 35 pounds.
the roe OF which is celebrated for its
delicacy, is abundant in the month of
April; the bass, weighing about 30
pounds, visits us in large numbers in
September and October while at all
seasons, the sheephead, the whiting.
the black bass, and numerous other
varieties, are found in great profusion.
The lands occupied by oyster beds
and fisheries belong to the State, and
by judicious allotment Of portions
OF them to Industrious and respossi-
bic persons, they may be made the
scat OF an extensive and profitable
industry to individuals, and revenue
to the State. From the Chesapeake
Bay millions Of dollars worth of oys-
ters are annually contributed through
out the Union, and there is no reason
why our Southern coast, with it's su-
perior advantages of climate. NAV
not soon equal, and even excel it in
quantity and value of it's exports.
establishments may be located in ell.
lgl6le positions for the preservation
and canning of oysters, crabs, and
shrimps, where the catch of the fish
erman will find a ready market,
whence they can. be distributed
throughout the Union, and from their
superior flavor and cheapness to for
cign countrios; while the numerous
fish would form an important contri-
button to the profits Of the enterprise,
and the sustenance of the communitV.
The number Of persons to which this
new business would give employment,
not only to those engaged in the
catching and preservation of it's pro-
ducts, but in the manufacture of cans
and boxes for their transportation,
would make many localities, which
are now waste and proftless, scenes of
animated and profitable industry, and
add greatly to the enjoyments and re-
sources Of our people. :,::,.s
CONCLUSION. . taoar
It is related OF the Emperor Sever.
us, (once colored freedman in the
Romon army, but whose energy. tai.
ents and valor, had placed him at It's
head, that during an invasio on of Bri-
tain, he was arrested In his march bv
an attack Of illness, which it was
soon known would terminate fatally.
IN his dying moments, surrounded bv
his Generals, who were passionately
attached to him.. he was approached
by Centurion of his army. who an
peared to him for the password of tie
day. The dying monarch, in that su-
preme moment, on the, verge ,of :eter.
nifty, gave utterance to q sentiment.
which had probably been the inspira.
ton OF life, and cynosure Of his fine.
Rallying his dying energies, in orgs-
ponse to the application Of the Centu-
r1on for the password, he exclaimed:
"LABoREMUsQ-let us wofk-an fall
ing backwards, expired. 2 Gentlemen
OF the General Assembly, in view of
our duties, and responsibilities to
those who have entrusted their ihtAr.
ests to our charge, and in the! nhrae
and by the help Of the AlnaightyiRu-
ler of the Universe, .insWhose hands
are the destinies Of Nations, TlEr ia
WORK pc q .s.so.GPi esSi4ur
RORERT Kxsc1TT; aossrnoru
Columbia, s. g, Nov, "a 1889. 80.
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