Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-21
UNLOADING A BUG-FYE.

The oysters to be bought at the wharves
vary in price as they do in size and quality
very fair oyster may be bought for so cents a
bushel, with reduction for large quantities.
These are the medium grades. There is a
lower grade which sells at 30 cents and these
are for the most part purchased by people who
use them for soups or cheap restaurants. The
first qualities sell from IS cents to 81 per
bushel and seldom go higher than the latter
figure. although when the crop is reported
small fluctuations occur.
Cornering the market is a diversion that is
sometimes INDUCED in by the wholesale deal
ers In the city, but they seldom realize a great
deal, for the reason that the source of supply is
too near and oysters are perIshable. and can
not be withheld from the market like other
products. But it is cornered now and then
and when this Is the case word goes down the
pay and soon the fleet of oyster boats is en- route
home. whether they are completely loaded or
nct-for frequently during these fluctuations
q skipper will be paid larger sum for half a
load than he would II his boat were filled to the
hatchways when the market is steady ana firm
But the captains and owners do not depend
upon the irregular visits of transient BUYERS
The great majority OF them have contracts with
the dealers IN the city TO take the entire cargo
and let the vessels sail back to the oyster beds
without delay. But these captains of course
do not get any advantage from rise in prices
ana receive the same from the beginning to
the end OF the season. But they make more
trips to and from the beds, and this in a great
Liaut cases luOre tnan coMpensates Tor the de-
fciency.
Ap average trip to the oyster beds consumes
usually about ten days; that is if the vessel dis
charges her cargo Immediately upon arrival at
the wharves- The craft engaged in the trade
are Tor the most part small two-masted vessels
with little SIX by six box, which is by courtesy
called q cabin, and a large hold which USUALLY
accommodates about 400 bushels of OYSTERS
The crew consists Of three men, the captain
the cook and the cutler. The latter does most
OF the work, the former sees that il ia done
properly and the other cooks for himself and
shipmates and assists them between times.
They are a hard-worked trio on the whole. in
TACT IL would be difficult to lind a class of men
whose lives are harder. They are exposed to
all kinds OF weather, the cold breeze of the bay
cuts them, they are always damp and work
both night and day when on the oyster beds.
getting all the sleep they can in the VOYAGES M
and down the river. The pay. too is poor.
The cook gets - more every month than the
cutler and the cutler gets but SlU per month
and his board. True the board is good but
there Is a sameness about it that revolts a man
after . little while. Oysters in eyery stvle "a
their bill Of fare for breakfast dinner and sup
per. At first thought this would strike one "a
being q delightful diet, but there is such
thing as having too much of good thing.
HI rough life, and the men engaged in il
are hardy men, for no others need apply or
indeed. could stand the constant exposure and
hardship. The oyster hunters all say that if
any other employment were offered they would
very quickly abandon the life. There is moth
ing permanent about it. as every year a differ
ent set Of men take hold of the work Only the
captains, who are most frequently the owners
lives.