The New York herald., 1876-09-23
THE SUMMER OYSTER TRADE.

DIMINUTIoN OF CONSUMPTION IN sUMMEk-
THE BIvALvE AS AN ARTICLE or rood
ALLEGED ERRONEOUS NOTIONS AS TO IT'S
NUTRITIyE QUALITIES IN WARM WEATHER.
The has just opened when the oyster business
experiences considerable falling OF in its volume,
aud when the bivalve, great measure is no longer
considered first class decacy The laws of the state
inhbit the taxing Of the mollusk during the months
May June, July and August but there is prohibi-
tion in the way Of its sale during any Of ths
year. Very few have a correct conception Of tho
dimensions of this trade in this city. In wholesale
transactions it amounts to sl5 600 600 annually sum
greater than the entire European trade Several hum
drcd vessels, ranging from four to fifty tons burden,
engaged in bringing oysters TO this
MARKET which give remunerativc employment to
many thousand men, who take great pride In their
calling, and who generally, might be expected
very competent judges OF the quality of the article.
The chief New York marts foot of Broome street
East River and OF West Tenth street. North River
but the bulk of the business Is transacted at tho
former spot Oysters brought from Maryland Della
and Virginia for the part dealt the
latter place.
DESTROYS OF learning nearly possible tho pre-
else extent TO which sales aud consumption fall OF
during the months In which the letter does not
occur. HERALD reporter made inquiries among the
large dealers this point Tire dimnution was
stated at about one-ha, though this result could
1t alleged be attributed entirely to the notion that
oysters in summer in any way dangerous to
health. In fact, rndcr favorable circumstances the
oyster delicious and nutritivo In June
as in January; in some instances even
better. Warm weather. low tides and tails
OF most conducive TO their growth and fat
ness, but still 1t had 10 be admitted that when spat
thrown tho breeding SEASON. the oyster its
favor assumes a milky appearance, becomes unpa-
atabc and even dspeasing 10 the eye. Tho Lcgsia-
ture, In prohibiting the taking OF oysters during tho
period mentioned of course had in view the general
interests OF the community, to whom the oyster has
become important article OF ood aud to the auent
luxury OF no small moment.
The fall and winter the when the trade
at its full height but, according the reports bus-
very regular during the entire year. Hotels
take At all times large quantities, and saloons engaged
in the sale are regularly supplied but only in lots su-
Gent to meet the demand from day to day Itisamls-
take 1t Is sad TO suppose that those partial 10 tho oys
ter refrain from its use in the summer
In winter the New York market is kept supplied BY
the neighboring waters The oyster taken here Is
gsrded as the best in the world, particularly those in
the vicinity OF Staten Island. Their quality, however,
varies, and they classified under i've heads accord.
ing to size and price. But IT would appear in navsr
Little Neck, Rockaway, Oyster Bay, Princes Bay ani
other places yield superior bivalve, and many barrels
are exported to England tor planting purposes Blu, it
reported that the change OF climate proves unfavor
able TO their development in Europe
There is a large traffic carried with Virginia In
the importation Of oysters regular line OF vessels
ply between this port and Chesapeake Bay engaged In
the business Al present the crafts bring oysters for
planting purposes to be ready for the la and
winter demand, and they also carry proportion
mediate consumption. The Southern oyster is for tho
most par, used cooked the East Rivers and Nov York
Bays eaten The former are nourished in fresh
water but the home article favored by salt water,
which gives the mollusk delicious flavor There Is
profit IN the sale OF Southern oysters than In New
York or New Jersey oysters but In the summer the
Chesapeake Bay article supplies the deficiency caused
by the restraint Incident 10 the breeding season. Tho
taking OF oysters however continuously In the
East River but the demand in summer falls OF lfty
per cent the business Is not for this as well ~ other
obvious reasons, prosecuted with any vigor
A large Wholesale dealer states that millions OF BUSH
els are disposed OF winter and fall Not alone Is this
city supplied but Long Island and New Jersey ob,an
oysters here The Boston market also In part depends
upon New York. He OF opinion tnaA It would
be just well n tho entire trade
suspended during the summer, for then tho
oyster would have ample time, undisturbed, to ma
turc brief and timely cessation in The Of tho
would TO sharpen the public appetite dnd
create vastly increased demand for tho bvalvo when
In its best condition, and thereby DO OF benefit
to both dealer and consumer As TO the hcalthi.
OF oysters In summer he considered they as
At any other mc and the falling on In
due he thought In 10 the appearance
Of abundant quantities Of fruit and vegetables which
in weather supplant other more Substantial ar.
clos in the market Ncverthelcss, the fact remain
that in the breeding season nsh 81 all kinds is not
healthy feod