The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1889-05-24
OYSTER FARMING.
Facts and Figures Ahout a Growing In
dustrys

0u8sAys
Ertraots from an Essag Read b Dr.. Il. Osm-
. Ter Before The Georgia Historicas Society
in Behalf Of the SuooMlent Biralve.
Mr.. J. Gardner, agent, Savannah,
Ga, has issued a pamphlet, which
contains the abOVe mentioned es-
say, under the caption of "The
Lie, History, Propagation and
Protection of the American Uys.
ter" 1t contains much valuable
and useful Information 10 those
who want 10 post themselves on
the subject of which it treats AT
the next session of the Georgia
Legislature bill will be introduced
relating to the protection of the
oyster industry, and laws will be
passed to protect the natural oys.
ter beds and tending 10 lead to the
establishment of artificial ones.
The Savannah Nea0s says that
since the publication of this pam
phlet DIR. Oemler has received d
letter from the u. S. Fish Commits
siOner, showing the value and
growth of the oyster industry ilr
Rhode Island, Connecticut and
New York. an Rhode Island in
1888, the value of the total output
OF The industry was about $500, 900,
and the number of persons engag-
ed in it was 1000. About $4,000
acres of bottom lands were devol-
ed 10 oyster culture. From the sale
Of lands that were worthless until
il became apparent that they could
be utilized for the cultivation OF
the oyster, the State obt aimed quite
100000, and, during The same Pc
Rod, received in taxes from them
$4,000.
The value OF the oyster in Con.
necticut in 1883 was over $4,000, 900,
and about 1900 men were employ
ed in the oyster business. The State
disposed of bottom lands upOm
which there were natural oyster
belS, but which were purchased
for oyster farming purposes, 10 the
amount Of $4,000, and during tie
same time II received in taxes from
lands utilized in this way $4,000.
Within six years the increase in
The oyster industry has been over
300 per cent, and this increase is
due to artificial propagation.
In New York great progress is
being made in oyster farming. The
amount of capital invested in the
oyster industry in The State last
year was $6,000,OO0, and the indus
try gave employment to 1000 men.
The value OF the output was S5,-
100000. About two-thirds of the
oysters were the product OF plant
ed beds. The States oyster out
put, owing TO artificial propagation,
has been doubled within The lRse
ten years. These figures give some
idea OF the possibilities there are
in the oyster industry.
Georgia and Florida have thou
sands of acres that are suitable for
oyster farming. Wise laws are ali
that are needed to make these
lands productive and valuable.
Without the exercise Of some sort
of control over the natural beds
they sill soon be destroyed, and
unless oyster farmers are given
protection they cannot cultivate
oysters. IL Georgia and Florida
Legislatures take hold of the oyster
industry question IN The right way,
they cannot only build up one in
dustry thai will give employment
to thousands of people, but which
will put thousands Of dollars into
The treasures of their respective
States"
What is true of Georgia and
Florida also holds good in Missis-
sippi. Oyster farms are now estab-
lished facts. They are not sappo-
sitiOns or experiments Millions Of
money are being made out of the
industry, both from natural and
artificial propagation, every year,
both IN this country and Europe.
The first attempt at oyster farming
in the United States was made in
Westchester county, New York,
fly years ago, and TO day the in
duslrv is an immense one along
The East river. In Connecticut
ovsier grounds has sold as high as
$500 per acre, aud in New York a
single acre has brought $500. This
was land that twithoui oyster plants
would have been entirely worth
less and was originally bought from
the Stale al about 81 per acre. The
Seacoast of Mississippi can be made
equally as valuable IL planted to
oysters aud laws passed 10 properly
protect and encourage the industry.