The morning news., 1889-04-28

Dr. A. Oemler has had published, in
pamphlet form, his essay on the American
oyster. which be read before the Georgia
His orical Society few weeks ago. 1t is e
very interesting aud valuable essay, and
contains a vast amount OF information re-
spec'ing the subject Of which it treats. II
ought TO be in TIE hands Of every member
Of the Georgia legi .lature and also of the
legislature Of Florida, for the reason that in
both these states efforts are being made to
protect the natural oyster beds and to en-
courage oyster farming. At the next session
Of the Georgia legislature bill, prepared
by D.. Olmler, relating TO the oyster in
Gu,try i'll be introduced and as many Of
the members have taken the trouble to in
form the uselves Of the dangers which now
threaten 70 destroy that Industry, there is
every reason TO think that il viii receive
very careful attention. The Florida leg s.
lature has appointed com mission to report
upon the oyster interests of that state, and
there Is prospect that in the near future
such laws will be passed as will protect the
natural oyster beds, and lead 10 the plant
ing Of artificial ones.
Since DR.. Oemler's pamplet was pub
lshed he has received a letter from the
United States commissioner Of fsh a ID
fiheries, which shows the value and growth
Of the oyster industry in Rhode Island,
Connecticut and New York. In Rhode
Island in 1888 the value If the total output
of the industry was about $500, 900, and the
number Of persons employed in it was 200
About so, GOO acres Of bottom lands were
%, Il.
of lands that were worthless until it became
apparent that they could be utilized for the
cultivation Of the oyster, the state obtained
q lite 800 900, and, during the same period,
received in taxes fro n them 5000.
The value Of the oyster catch in Connect
cut in 1855 was over 100000 and about
5000 men were employed in the oyster busi-
ness. The state disposed of bottom lands
upon which there were no natural oyster
beds, but which were purchased for oyster
far ming purposes, to the amount of $50, 900,
and during the same time it received in
taxes from lands utilized in this way Sl0,-
0O0 Within six yea the increas, IN the
oyster industry has been over 30) per cent,
and this increase is due to artificial prop
| agation.
In New York great progress is being
made in oyster farming. The amount Of
capital invested in the oyster industry Of
the state last year was $6 900, 900, aud the
industry gave employment to 1000 men.
| TIE value of its output was $500, ,00J
About two thirds Of the oys ers were tae
product OF planted beds. The state has
| 400, 1856 acres Of bottom lands under wat sr
which are fit for oyster farming, and of
these lands only 1856 acres contain
natural oyster beds of value The
| fishing grounds Of L ing Island sound have
| been surveye into ten-acre lots, and up t.
the present time about 1000 acres have
been sold at prices ranging fro 81 to 81 50
per acre. Choice lots, however, have sold
| for as much as so per acre. The states
| oyster output, owing to artificial propaga-
! ton, has been doubled within the last ten
! years.
| These figures give som3 idea of the posi-
bihties there are in the oyster industry.
Georgia and Florida have th pusands of
acres that are suitable for oysts farming.
Wise laws are all that are needed to make
| these lands productive and valu able.
Without the exercise of some sort Of control
over the natural beds they will soon be
destroyed, AMI unless oyster farme S
are given protection they cannot cultivate
oysters. In Chatham county last year 200
men were engaged in the open boat oyster
fishing, and "a in vessel oyster fishing; and
it is safe to say tlaJ many of them took no
| pains to insure the permaneacy of the
oyster beds. If Georgia and Florida legis-
latures take hold of the oyster industry
question in the right way, they can not
only build up one industry that will give
employment to thousands of people, but
which viii put thousands of dollars into
the treasures of their respective states.