Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-02-16
The Oyster BEDS OF The Chesapeake

L uS area ol tle OysieE t6;!5 q! lH5 IHtSH
peake bay ney be snfsi5 estimated st 5000
square miles In some places, however,
the beds are so thinly populated rs to rem
der working them unremuneretive, while iG
other portions they are SC thick and increase
so rapidly millions perish from sufccation
and the superintendent weight from accu-
mutation. In the most favorable breeding
localities, such as TaDgier sound, the beds
are two. feet or more in thickness, only
few inches of the upper layers Of oysters be-
ing alive. The young oysters, when they
accumulate go rapidly, add stratum ennu
ally, and a corresponding stratum under
meath must perish. The net increase is,
therefore, only in the extension of the su.
perfcis area occupied by the beds. From
Kent Island, within 25 miles or Baltimore,
to Cape Henry, distance .. nearly $50
miles, the bottom of the hay il, with few
alight exceptions, o continuous bsd Of oys
ters. About &C, 100000 bushels gathered
annually from the Chesapeake and its tribu-
taries, not including thcse taken from pri-
vate plants. Good planning grounds are
valuable and can seldom be bought. Lots
covered by three to FIVE feet of water rate at
about 800 per acre, aud The most desirable
grounds pay an interest OF more than 20 per
cent. on that sum. The boundaries OF plant.
ing lots or beds are shown by stakes or
smsl evergreen trees firmly secured In the
mud at the corners. These fragile corner
marks are strictly respected by neigh.
bors. and case of trespa5s rarely
occurs. Now and then, however, raiding
fever will occur from bold and dis
solute pirates, such as has recently been
progressing about Chester creek, and can
only be checked by vigorous warfare from
a fierce and mighty navy, commanded by
officers who may be captured and have
their arms thrown into the sea, but will
never surrender or die.
Notwithstanding the similarity a the
various kinds each variety preserves its
identity and remains a distinctly separate
family. The number Of varieties found in
the Chesa peake bay have never been ascer.
tanned precisely but are supposed to be over
thirty Some have been imported from the
coast and southern rivers, but are mostly
indigenous Although they will grow and
be edible along the greater portion of the
Atlantic coast some localities suit them bet
ter than Others Aud while there are local
differences between those of America ard
Europe, the American oyster ia more
elongated, more cOrpuienli lenuetci' iicnei
in nutriment and less catfish in taste Its
English cousin s almost round and is strong
both in muscle and to the taste,
The Virginia oyster has a narrow shell,
increasing gradually in sizs from the hinge;
that of the north a rounded, white aud very
Irregular SHELL but it attains an immense
size. The best northern oysters are to be
found about Buzzard's bay, Birds Island,
the st. Charles and Mystic rivers, Blue
FONT on Long Island sound. Little Neck
bay aud along the Jersey coast, but the
Chesapeake is the great reservoir and home
for excellence and flavor. The Saddle Rock
of Little Neck bay was once the fayorite
and most famous of the world, come speci-
mems measuring, it is said. twelve inches IL
length and six in width, but the rocks have
long since beer stripped, aad not genuine
Saddle Rock has been Seen for over forty
years.