New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-10
THE OYSTERS ENEMIES.
DEpREpAr1oNs OF MussrLs IN pp1ecn,s NY


DEMAND FOR SHELLS AT NEy-HAVEN
The oyster is not permitted TO enjoy his spbterra
mean leisure undisturbed, even during the SKINNER
months The latest enemy that has attacked the
1ayonte byalve is the mussel which kills its victims
by strangulaton. One of the most important
oyster grounds from which New-York is supplied
is Princes Bay, on the south side of Staten Island
the waters OF which cover about thrty-fiye square
miles Nearly one-fourth of this space extending
from the Light tc the Gray ills along the Shore
and about three miles seward is thcklv strewn
Win musses. Last year they were mostly on the
middle Ground as 1t is called, but this year they
seriously troubled by them for ten or twelve
years ago, There are two kinds of mussels the
pay and the black, the latter being the ones that
90 90 the damage. They are found frequently from
o"o anu u hat 10 three inches in length. They are
smell hsh somewhat resembling soft clam and
are useu py good many persons for food. The
presence undesirable. -
George Jones, an oysterman of Princes BAY, said
10 Il TRIBUNE reporter recently that The greatest
enemies ot tie oyster in that neighborhood were
mnSsols, drnm-fsh and Observation-Disclosures
" me musSels," said he, are nearly rs had as tLe
sea stars, which they have further east. The sea-
stars are found in punches sometimes two or three
feet thick. They fasten their prongs around the
oyster and kill it in short time and they sweep
the Deds ciean where they go. The mussels have
near me, and they say that they will not have half
crop, and that the yield of the Bay will be de-
creased about onc-seventh. There is certainly
most III demand for opening. Bat the trade is dull
anyway until September The mussels are found
IN WlndroWs, as we call them. This year they have
attacked the oysters in the mud, while at other
times they VIII be found on hard bottom. They
when Young appear like little white specks on the
oyster. They fasten on the beak of the SHELL and
when two years old are so large rs to prevent the
oysters feeding. The only way TO the oysters
Is 10 take them mp, clean them, and put them in
another spot. Bat oysters die quickly that il
does not do much good The musscls Will aflix
themselves only to clean objects and prefer to fasen
on the young oysters. They always kill a great
many IN the beds they attack. We get the young
oysters. or seed, mostly from Newark Bay, although
some are obtained elsewhere. We name them ac-
cording to the neighborhood the seed comes from
About 300 baskets OF seed plant acre and after
two years they transplanted from hard to soft
or from I9tt to hard bottom for few months TO
tatten. These should yield 200 baskets, and
bring about 81 600, which gives $500 profit"
Who owns the oyster-grounds in Princes Bay -
, he State does, but we have recognized rule
that anyone shall not be molested on his grounds
as long as he works tn emp
MT Jones was standing on his slO0p back of the
boys. Well 20 back now"
what, do you 20 back without selling ont ~
SAID tie reporter noticing nearly half a cargo Of
oysters on his boat
Yes, have sold all the large ones and will
take these back and give them drink and bring
them IN again some day"
Mr. Collins, a keyport oysterman, said the mussels
had troubled has side of the bay. One of his men
called the reporters attention 10 drill" looking
much like a common cone shaped snail-shell.
" These drill through the shells of the young
oysters" said he, "and Kill them" He showed
several shells. perforated by tiny hole Princes
pay appears to be the only oyster-gronnd infested
by musscs.
There has been a brisk demand for oyster shells
AZ New-Iaven lately for use i'm The oyster beds as
the spawn adhcres TO them readily after oeng
bleached on the land. They have become so
Indispensable that large quantities are being
brought from Rhode Island where they once threat
cned TO cover mp the State and the price in Provi
dence has risen from TO cents per bushel. The
accumulation of shells around New-fIaVen was
formerly usc to make roads. the shell roads be-
ing celebrated for their hard. smooth surface But
no more VIII be made with shells in such demand as
al present. Dealers think that next year they will
have to bring shells from Baltimore Smith Broth
ers, of New Haven, recently planted l35, 900
bushels of shells In New-York the shells are
burned TO mako lime and fertilizers.