The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-10-02
THE OYSTER INDUSTRY.
The photographic Survey Vessel
Looked For Very Soon.

The vessel for the photographic survey of
the waters Of the Georgia coast is anxiously
expected by those interested in oyster
| farming-not only Georglans, but
those in other states who have turned their
/ attention 10 the oyster-bearlng waters Of
this state, since the enactment Of the Postel
law. As already stated in the MORNING
NEWS, Connecticut gentleman is on his
way to Georgia with vessel to investigate
the waters OF this coast in advance OF the
government vessel, and he writes that he
will touch at Wilmington Island for con-
ference with DR.. A. Oemler and his sons,
who are we'll posted in the waters OF Chat
ham, Bryan and Liberty counties.
1t is believed that the Rice resolution TO
provide commission TO investigate what
other legislation is necessary to promote
the oyster industry of Georgia will pass,
and that the next general assembly will be
better prepared to legislate on the subject
than the present body.
The oyster industry in the south is in its
infancy, but it is attracting wide attention.
South Carolina protects. its oyster beds by
restrictive legislation, and as a result her
Bull bay and Daufuskie oysters are in pop
ular demand, and instead of its waters
being depleted by the oyster fishery they
are kept stocked.
William Miles Hazard of Georgia con-
templates establishing a 4,000-acre oyster
plant III Winyah bay, South Carolina, and
In biz proposition to Commissioner Butler
writes both instructively and entertainingly
on the subject. He says:
IL have watched for the past two years
with great interest the efforts being made
by the state North Cardinal to establish
an oyster industry on its coast. Senator
Ransom and others induced the United
States navy department TO detach Lieut..
Winslow, an expert in oyster culture, to
make a survey Of the bays and rivers of
North Carolina and determine the suitable
grounds for locating farms. The state
paid salaries and expenses In 1886
the oyster business of the state was
absolutely insignificant, as much so as
1T is now in our state. In the past two
years $1,000 acres suitable for oyster
culture have been located, and thousands
of people are now being employed, aud
hundreds Of thousands of dollars will be
spent; all this, of course, adding to the
taxes of the state and prosperity of her
seaboard people. Now we need Just such
an industry started on our seaboard. 1t re-
qulres the greatest scientific Hno Wedge, and
thorough test of water AID bay or river
bottoms, to determine where oysters will
grow. Lieut.. Winslow thinks an outfit
too costly TO undertake the location of less
than 1000 acres. His estimate is this:
Plant steamer or lighter for transport
ing seed oysters. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 10000
oHOio ouAulnkS. ....s.s -s-ss.... O,OOO
Salaries OF offices and wages. ....... -. 4,0D0
Seed oysters, bedding and planting. $1,000
Expense to establish 1000 acres. .......S $4,000
This does not include expense of survey
ing suitable ground In a conversation
with Lieut.. Winslow, and upon examina-
ton of the United States coast survey map
of Winyah bay, with its creeks, he thinks
four thousand acres may be suitable for
oyster culture in area alluded to. If your
department will give me the exclusive right
to establish an oyster industry in this area,
/ will undertake to have the ground sur
veyed and start the industry. This success
fully done, your department. will have no
trouble to get the legislature help to con-
tinue the industry, which will be blessing
to our people"
1t is believed that before next year
northern oystermen, with large capital,
will, under the liberal provisions of the
Postel bill. take up farms for planting in
Georgia waters, step upon which there is
some division of opinion among residents
along the Georgia coast, some of whom
think that oystermen from abroad should
have been restricted from establishing
oyster farms in Georgia waters, while others
hold that any individual ca corporation
should be welcome to come and plant and
cultivate oysters on bottoms now barren.