Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-02-13

Special Correspondence OF Gazette ana Journal
CRrsFIELp, MD Feb. 3.-This has been
80 far very improbable seAsoa WITH our
ovstermen. In many instances boata
HAYS came in after being out o whole
week and had no more oysters aboard
then only few seasons back was con-
sidered poor dsy's work. In CONVEX
sA.ion with old oystermsn we learn that
this bottom OF all waters adjacsnt to this
place Is almost bare OF oysters, and the
many acts of legislature pretendinR to
benefit those engaged in this Industry
have not amounted to anything at all In
protecting md increasing the supply.
Old and more experienced oystermen
cay that there is but one way to make
Crisieid profit by its proximity 10 the
noted oyater grounds, and that Is to get
law passed by the Legislature, now In
session, prohibiting the catching OF any
oysters for three yearn TO CONS. BONE
OF the oystsrmeu say such law would
drive many people away from orishe'd,
and others say We would starye to death
If we could not go out and get share OF
the few oysters there yet remain; to
these the old fellows say; "You may IS
well 90 away now temporarily as to DO
compelled in the near future to locate
permanently elsewhere, and you may as
well star7e outright II you have not the
energy to seek other occupations for q
few years an to be half starved for the bal
enos OF your life nader the present state
of things."
The old oystermep argue that where
there is will there is way and II the
| oystermen would unite and ask and
secure the passage Of such law they all
could find profitable employment for at
least three years, and at the expiration OF
that time many mortgages could and
would be lifted, many new homes would
be built aud Orisfield would have 3 boom
surprising the antioipations Of the most
sanguine. 1t Is claimed, however, that
unless such O Law, or similar Law, ID
made ami rigidly enforced one half oil
the packing houaes now trying to keep
their hands going will be closed within
two years and at the expiration of three
| years one packing hou,e will be able to
handle all the oysters brought into thi:
port.
Fswes & 90. have already bedded
about 10 600 bushels OF shells and small
oysters, other packers hsve bedded
several thousand bushels. but il will be
several years before this bed can bt
touched, at least with profit, snd as tn,
natural beds are about exhausted some
thing must be done aud that soon. Other
wise the oyster trade Of this, and in fact
many other towns will be ruined. Thes,
oystsrmeu about Crisfeld are not a set o.
devil-may caro men as is too often said o
them, they are gentlemen OF business ant
Intelligence and WELD an influence, whei
united, that is we'll worth catering to
Most OF them own their own houses
pretty .wo-story franc honses, nice yard
md geFdens with the choicest rossH on
fruits, they are happy social people;
visitor is welcome and we'll cared for, bu
the dude or sharper who goes among ther
to beat is sure to receive his Just deserts
An old gentleman who has spent hi
pany years on the Tangier oystering an
fishing said: "rhat little yellow hous
yonder is paid for, but il am oompelle
TO follow this Improbable business man
more years with no prospect of bette
times, shall have to mortgage it to kee
up my family expenses" 1t has been 4
warm this season that what few oyster
have been caught have been sold at pric'
far below what they should have brou2h
The warm weather has had another ba
effect on the pAokers' pockotbook, as
requires considerable more ice to success
fully pack the oysters for shipment
spch points as Cleveland, Ohio, an
Denver, Col.
The oyaterman's prospects are indee
anything but encouraging.