The Evening critic., 1884-08-30
THE DELICIOUS BIvALvE
VIII Come I'm Legally on Monday,
for September Has n Big "R"

VIII Come I'm Legally ON Monday,
for September Has n big "R"
I'm It.
The oyster season opens on Monday noxt.
This is good news to the world, because
everybody likes the luscious bivalve.
The oyster dealers whose places of bust
ness were visited by CRITIC reporter to.
day were all busy preparing to renew hos
tilities with the oyster-knife,
All the restaurants in the city are brush
ing up to begin anew on Monday.
The large oyster dealers, such as John j.
Hogan and Charles Weser, have already
employ cd their force Of colored citizens,
who will begin by daylight Monday morn,
ing with cracking the shells and letting out
the slippery but lusciously luscious oyster.
In Maryland the tongers, carriers and
traders in oysters arc all receiving their
licenses to begin business on Monday, Sep
TENDER /.
Tho oyster law of the last session Of tho
Maryland Legislature made what has been
known as n close season from the 1st of
April to the LIST of September-a period of
five months. During this time no person
has been allowed to take up an oyster for
any purpose Whatever, not oven for private
use by owners of oyster beds, and II any had
been found in their possession they would
have been liable to penalties.
From tho LIST of September to tho LIST of
November next, oystermen are allowed to
sell all they can catch by longing only, and
on and after the LIST Of November until
the LIST of April drcdgers arc privileged to
go upon tho waters open to them and
gather all they can, but they are forbidden
on any oyster bar within ] miles of Toll
ley's Point, Sandy Point, Jackets Point
Thomas Point, Holland Island bar, Three
Sisters Island, Swan Point bar Poplar
Island, one-quarter mile west Off and be.
tween tho island and main land, and
within half mile of Plum Point. or
within the boundary lines Of any county,
unless otherwise specified.
The county lines cover and protect all
riparian rights, which usually extend to
navigable points. These constitute what
are known as oyster farms, whero the best
oysters arc grown. They will DO the first
brought to market, as two months must
yet intervene before the dredgers will DO
allowed to participate In tho traffic. Hith-
erto the laws Of Virginia and Maryland
conficted, and up to and including the
summer of 1883 oysters were sold in Bal
timore, notwithstanding the existence of
laws against catching them. Parties could
go upon the Potomac, take in load during
the night, and If overhauled the noxt day
that the oysters were caught in Virginia
waters, and rice versa.
Notwithstanding this law, Washington
dealers have been receiving oysters all the
summer, though not from Maryland.
The Virginia law prevents tho carrying
of oysters by oyster-boats until the 18th Of
September, though they can be caught and
shipped in barrels by steamer. This would
look to man up q tree like making o law
for the benefit of steamboat companies.
Mr.. John J. Hogan, whose place of bust
ness is on Twelfth street, just below L, was
asked what was the outlook for the oyster
trade this season. Said he: "Never better,
The prospects for good lively season are
splendid In anticipation of an increased
trade, / have already engaged more shuck-
ers than had last year"
Mr.. Hogan handles on an average of GOO
bushels of oysters daily during the season
Mr.. Charles Weser, another dealer, who
keeps on L street, near Twelfth, was also
seen. He predicts busy season, and says
the quality of the Virginia and Maryland
oyster will be better this year than last.
On and after Monday the familiar "Com
ing up at the raw-box," "The gentleman
wants half dozen ON do half-shell,'
Hurry up wild dem fried,' "a box.stew
fer de gemmen at dat table," and other like
EXPIRE ssions will DO heard from tho walters
n, our Restaurants