Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-14
OYSTEG-CUlTuRE.
Views of General Bradley T. johnson on
This Subject.

WILLIAM AND MARY COLLEGB,
WILLIAMSBURG, Dec. IL, 1880.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
think that tho letter from General
Bradley T. johnson enclosed contains
too many good suggestions TO be with
held from the public, and l therefore
take the liberty of sending it TO You.
The suggestion of a chair at this college
for the express purpose OF looking after
the ovster-culture has met with great
favor from all with whom | have con-
yersed. Tho letter Of General johnson
covers most Of tho ground and leaves
little TO be said. II Is a fact that scien-
tifc methods OF planting and farming
oysters have converted thousands of
acres OF entirely barren ground in Con-
necticut into productive oyster-beds and
have multiplied by an hundred fold the
production OF native oysters. Millions
OF dollars arc now invested in the IN
dustry, and hundreds OF Thousands of
dollars yearly como into the State rs
proceeds OF exported oysters, And yet
with all nature to aid 1t our industry is
very much in the condition Of the Mary
land oyster-beds, which, as shown by
the report Of the Maryland Commission
for 1894, in three years from 1879 lost
almost 81 per cent Of their value. Let
Virginia keep mp with the times and
adopt General Johnson's suggestions.
Yours truly, LYON q. Tyler.
BALTIMORE, December 9, 1890.
Luo1 q. TUIer. Esq.. President Of VIZ
liam and Mary College, Williams
burg, VG.;
Ny Dear Sir,-Yours 4th received. I
send you by mail copy of Maryland
Oyster Commission and Brookss Report
of 1881, rare and valuable book. which
you will find full OF information.
My ideas about oyster development
are the result OF years OF observation.
The Chesapeake produces the finest oYs-
tiers in the world. Those grown in our
waters arc not exposed to danger OF
disease, nor natural enemies, the star
fish nor the drum, which render the pro-
duction of oysters 50 uncertain in north
ern waters.
Brooks estimates the area OF ground
capable OF producing oysters IN the
Chesapeake and its tributaries within
the boundary of Maryland ct 1000
square miles or $40, coo acres-page 20.
he estimates the total area of the natural
oyster beds at 1913 square miles, not es-
timating the natural beds in the Poto-
mac, which cover $50 square miles. The
area capable of being planted and Of pro-
ducing oysters, / think, he proves is ca
pablo OF producing annually $1,000
per ocre. Seven hundred and
fifty dollars OF this would be
distributed in wages to the oyster
men. But this magnificent possibility
is being ignored. Thin grand natural
monopoly, granted by God to be used
for the happiness and comfort OF man
kind, is being devastated because there is
not enough courage and public spirit IN
Virginia and Maryland TO take tho man
agement and control OF the oyster que5-
from the hands Of the ignorant who now
hold it and place it under the direction
of education and science, where the ex-
perience Of other ountries and the III
yestigations OF intelligent and skilled
observers all over the world III present
and past times could be made available
to preserve and develop the production
of the oyster.
1t ought TO be made clear that we do
not purpose to interfere with the natural
oyster rocks or beds which are the CON-
mon property of the people. They are
entitled TO common OF fishery on them,
and tue two States ought to provide Tor !
this common and increasing its
product But the enormous unused area |
capable Of producing oysters ought to |
be utilized.
No such public, intelligent, wise use
cau be made Of 1t as to grant portion OF |
II to Johns Hopkins University in Mary |
land and William and Mary College In |
Virginia. These two great institutions
would direct their efforts not for private |
gain, but for the public good.
Leckey says that Bakeweu by the in |
Production Of the improved breed of
sheep into England which bears his |
name did more for scientific agriculture |
there tan all other causes combined. l |
10 not see why these two great schools
by finding out and showing to the peo-
pie how oysters can best be propagated |
should not make themselves great bene-
factors to the human race.
Get from the State 10000 acres in
York river with power to police and pro-
ect them efficiently. We will try and
10 the same-get grant of 10, 900 acres
capable of being planted with oysters,
md we will have foundations for our
higher education greater and wider than
my college at Cam bridge or Oxford.
In one hundred years from now they
viii produce net income OF half nil
ion to each college. They viii furnish
work and wages to 90, 600 men and they
will make the waste waters OF the Chesa-
peaks TEEN with the demands OF busy in
iustry. while its shores will blossom with
gardens and bloom with happy homes.
We shall not see it, but we can do our part
low toward accomplishing that result
Yours respectfully,
BRADz.Ex T. JOHNSON. |