Morning journal and courier., 1883-10-27
Oyster Notes.

Oyster Notes.
 From Kent Island, within twenty-five miles of Baltimore. to Cape Henry, a distance of 40 miles, the bottom of Chesapeake Bay Is, with slight exceptions, continuous oys- ter bed All the streams that empty into the bay within the above named limits are stocked with oysters as far as their water is salted by the tide. The area of oyster beds in the Chesapeake and it's tributaries may be safely estimated at 8 1000 square miles. There Is great inequality in the distribution, however. Nearly 25, ,O0O,QOo bushels are taken every year from this bay. This does not include what are obtained from private beds in the same area
 About thirty varieties of oysters are found in this bay. The variation is caused by diff ference in depth of wstsr, nature of bottom, nearness to fresh water rivers, and variations of water coming from such rivers. The wa ter coming from different sections of country brings with 1t various clements which affect the oyster An epicure accustomed to the different iayors can designate the bed upon which the oyster was grown and fatHened.
 The natural beds exist in isolated patches and clusters of indefinite extent and thick ness The best planting grounds for Bahi- more and neighboring markets are found in Taneier Sound, Pocomoke river, Cherrystone ana OCSOQAnuOCA CkGSA6s 4UAA 44N0AR AS0R pahannock river, Milford Haven and DOT tion of the bay opposite the county of Dor chester. Maryland. The waters at these points are so well sheltered ss to be almost always in tranquil state. Bringing oysters north from the southern bays is attended with many risks They often become heat cd on account of being piled in large heaps and from this unnatural warmth disease is produced. Without being allowed sufficient time to recover from the sudden transition out of c warm to cold climate oysters are thrown overheard in weak and unhealthy state Large numbers of them die. With fayora- ble weather, that is, not too cold nor too warm, fair supply of good oysters will reoch our market this season from the south ern waters. They may be trifie higher in price because the supplies are not keeping pace with the demand. First-rase oysters from either southern or northern waters are likely to cost full as much as ever.
 This season the oysters are unusually fat, healthy and solid. They are generally bet ter on the Virginia than on the Maryland aide this year. This is because of severe rains affecting one more than the other. Nearly 4, ,0OO men are employed in the oyster trade in and about the Potomac river. Their wages average about $15 month. South ern dealers are much annoyed by outsiders who carry of vast quantities or sell to north ern parties at lower rates than they can af' ford There is system of bay and river police to prevent unlicensed catching, but ii | is only partially effective, because of the vest area to be watched.
 A few years ago the general fear among large dealers in Maryland and Virginia that the oyster supply WAS rapidly decreasing led l to measures which have somewhat checked waason destruction. New impetus was also given to private cultivation as an ultimate re l liance. Now oysters opened on the shores of the Chesapeake are delivered in good con dit1on at various points in New York anG New England as we'll as West. Fewer will l be shipped in the shen and more in CATS anG 1 tubs.