Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-26
The Chesapeake Oyster.


While there is no prospect that sue
cess will attend General BRADLEY L.
JoHNsoy's plan for constituting Viz
GINA Maryland commission to manage
the oyster-beds of the Chesapeake, his
proposition that Maryland bestow upon
Johns Hopkins university 10, 600 acres
Of oyster-g ground for scientific culture OF
the oyster is meeting with great favor
Possibly it will be adopted. To us 1t
seems practicable and sensible.
We ore amazed to hear that Maryland
exacts S12, 900 per annunl in the way OF
taxes from Johns Hopkins University,
and in view of this remarkable fact it
could well afford to be liberal to that in
stitution.
But, after all, the question is Shall q
real, hearty, sensible effort DO made to
preserve the oyster? II Maryland up
preciates the importance of this question
she will no doubt give the land for an
experimental farm.
1t may be possible that Virginia can
afford to do likewise. If we could give
William and Mary or some other college
(which would accept the gift upon well
defined conditions) few thousand acres
of ground and allow its professors to
work it upon scientific principles, itmight
become O great boon to the people o.
Tidewater, and in coming years prove to
be plant-bed from which oil the ex'
hausted oyster country could draw.
The two things that seem to be need
ed in Virginia and Maryland are-D the
preservation of tho natural beds in the
bay and Pocomoke Sound, and ~ a
skilful system of planting.
Concert Of action between the two
States may secure the former.
So far as Virginia is concerned, the
latter can only be introduced by laws
which will give to landowners adjacent
to oyster waters permanent, or at least
fixed interest in their plant-beds. And
then our planters should ascertain what
is the very best system OF oyster-plant
ing that practical skill and scientific
knowledge can combine to give.
General JOHNSON speaks of the con
tempt the oyster-men have for men O.
mere Z" book knowledge" We dare say
if the book-men could have an oppor
tunity they would show the oyster-meI
that experience gained in many land
and scientifically adapted to our climate
and waters would be of vast benefit. w
have not attained the highest skill il
Virginia or Maryland, Other State
grow the oyster more proftably than we
do. and there is vast deal to be learned
from foreign countries Here Is wher'
the scientists can help.
The diggers in the tunnel are boun'
TO respect the wisdom and skill OF tn
engineers who beginning work on op
posite sides of a great mountain drill i
darkness through the solid beds OF rock
but meet midway on the exact spot lai'
down on the plain. 1t is impossible tia
the simplest understanding should dis
pute the value OF such science. Now
may be that learned men-such as Pro
fessor Brooks, OF Johns Hopkins, VIII
has given years and years to the stud
of the oyster--can lead the dredger an
and planter though the mountain {
obstacles that seems to bar the way
the continued prosperity of the Virgin
oyster industry.
1t is significant but not odd TIL
Virginia and Maryland are considerin
this question at the same time. Our Il
terests are identical in many respect
Our oyster-rocks have been deSpoile'
and for want of suitable seed the plan
beds do not yield as probably as
years gone.
Let us set to work and locate Il
troubles and apply the remedy.
Let us invoke scientific as well as legi
latiye help,