Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-11
THE0YSTER CULTURE
AsPEClAL SUBCOMMITTEE TO PRE-
PARE AIRPORT ON THIS SUBJECT.
raj Beds, and Make Long Leases Likely
to he Recommended.

The joint committee appointed at the
last session Of the General Assembly 10
consider and report upon the oyster in
dustry met at the Exchange Hotel yester-
day. Hon. Thomas X. Barnes. of Hanse-
mond. is chairman Of the committee and
Benjamin =. Owen, Jr., stenoerapher.
The committee reviewed the evidence
and facts taken during the summer and
the Chairman was requested TO appoint a
subcommittee 20 prepare report for the
General Assembly Senator John T..
Hurt, Of Pittsylyania; Delegate John T..
Coleman, Of Nelson. and Delegate James
Jones, Of King William, were selected TO
perform this important duty.
NO SUMNER oYsTKRNG.
While tie members Of the committee
did not take vote upon anysquestions IN
connection with the industry they were
unanimously Of the opinion that summer
Clustering should be stopped. This viii
prevent the taking Of oysters in the Chesa-
peake bay during the summer, the bay
being exempted by the present law.
II is understood that the report which
the subcommittee will make will suggest
the importance and the necessity of pro-
tecting the natural oyster-rOcks TO do
this may necessitate the exclusion Of
oystermen from a certain p0r'i0i' Of the M
tuTal Oyster-beds IN the York, happahan-
mock. James. Ware, North. and other rivers
for q stated periOd-sGy one year.
Favor LONG LEASE.
Another question and very important
one Is whether the oyster-beds should be
sold or leased. and If leased for how long q
period. The committee will hardly report
in favor Of selling the beds and @ majority
seem TO be in favor Of a lease somewhere
between ten and fifteen years.
While the members Of the committee
have not agreed upon report the iudica-
tiOns IRE that they viii submit one upon
which the TideWater mem bers and the
LEGISLATORS from the other sections OF the
State will substantially agree. Senator
Hurt, who has recently given and Is now
giving the oyster question his most careful
study. will write the sub-com mittee report,
and when this Is done he will notify Chair
man Barnes, who will call a meeting OF the
committee 10 receive the paper and make
such disposition as may be deemed best OF
the recommendations therein contained.
The committeeman were apprised OF the
fact that the people in Tidewater sections
are exceedingly anxious 20 have the oyster
problem solved, a. the present unsettled
condition Of things is operating against
the investment of capital in this import
ant enterprise, which under better leglsla-
ton may be made more profitable 10 those
engaged in it as well rs a source Of reye-
nue. TO the State.
WHAT ARE NATURAL ROCKS?
Another very important question which
the committee will have TO report upon IS
the definition of natural rocks IL IS
very probable that the committee Will
finish their report next month. and when
4 "A Il. 60 j. ful m
Gus investigation and thorough research
IN the field OF ovster-culture.
The oyster industry was discussed in
every particular, and the prospects arc IA
vorabe for the committee 20 come 70 an
unanimous conclusion on most points, If
not all.
The members Of the committee VIII re-
turn TO their homes on the early trains this
morning.