Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-04-28
THE DECLINE OF THE OYSTER.
Favorite Kinds That Have Almost
Disappeared.

There is fraud in the oyster trade as in
everything else, writes q correspondent from
Norfolk, Va. There are three brands Of oysters
that Norfolk brags upon shipping north, but
more oysters Of each kind are offered every year
in Washington. Baltimore, Philadelphia or New
York than there are in the waters from which
they are supposed to be taken. First on the list
and highest priced are the far-famed Lynn
Haven Bays" second. the "Cherrystones :"
and third the "York River" oysters. The oysters
of Chesapeake bay are rarely mentioned, because
the kind-hearted shippers prefer to allow their
distant friends to Imagine that they are eating
one OF the brands above mentioned and more
especially the first one. They have been shipped
from this port since September 200, 900 bushels
OF oysters, all OF which must have been of the
particular brands spoken Of because they are
advertised as such in other cities and even in
this old borough whichis built on oyster shells;
but the fact IL that all that have been shipped
from here during the past season belong to the
bay tribe, with very few exceptions. Few
people i'm Norfolk or north or west of it have had
the pleasure OF eating genuine Lynn Haven
or "Cherrystone" this season. al was over in
Atlantic City to-day. and saw mountains upon
mountains OF oyster shells, which were sold for
and = cents per bushelfOr the purpose OF max
ing lime or filling up the marshes in and around
this city Knowing full well the secret of Lynn
u
ton in regard to them, but inquired if those
shells were the remains of York Rivers, and was
answered in the negative. My informant said
that few came from York river, but the great
bulk came from the bay" 'There are very few
oysters around Norfolk now as compared to
years ago. said he. "In former days we could
go out there in the Elizabeth river or down
along the edge of Hampton roads and get all we
wanted; but great change has taken place, for
now we can tong and tong all day and not get
moi fNro fDr /, br;,,
up from the bottom have no meat in them worth
talking about; and now we have to rely upon
the bay and the mouths of the rivers that enter
into it. l remember well when a schooner
could run up the James and get all the oysters
wanted without searching for them; but now
those rocks have all disappeared, and, unless
something is done to give the oyster in those
waters rest, the time is not far distant when
oysters will be worth their weight in gold.'
'How about Cherrystones?"
II haven't heard the name mentioned this
season, and. if any of them come here don't
know it, and think they are in the same box
with the others" And this is the opinion given
by man who has been in the business for Is or
20 years.
1.-Two weeks ago was down on Lynn Haven
bay, and, meeting an old friend. the converse
ton naturally turned upon the oyster that has
made that section OF country famous the world
over. will tell the sad story of the rise and
decline of this justly celebrated oyster as it was
toiu W Hc. before tne war Ine genuine Lynn
Haven oysters were here in profusion, but
between the destruction of the beds by the
Yankees and lack OF attention paid to their
cultivation, ever since our delicious oyster has
almost taken his final departure. The growth
of the genuine article is in only two places now.
Around the peninsula and three-quarters OF a
mile below London bridge, near the old McIn-
tosh farm, are the only spots where our pride of
the past tiourishes to-day. At these points the
vegetable particles from the inner lands first
meet with the influx of the tides. The drainage
of the rich swamp lands In the interior of Prin-
cess Ann county comes into Lynn Haven river
by two main channels. These unite near Church
point to form the main river which flows into
the inlet. after having been received by way of
Long creek. This is the original home of the
Lynn Haven OYSTER which is remarkable for it's
appearance, plumpness. tirmness. and above all
for its delicate flavor. but. alas it must be said
that they are few and far between In comparison
with former days"