The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-13
THE OYSTER INDUSTRY.
The Secretary of the Gloucester Alliance TX
presses His Views.

TIDE MIL. GLOUCESTER Co.. Va, Mar. r.
Especial. Mr.. NJ G. Richardson. secretary Of
the Alliance Oysterman's Association of Yrgi-
nia.says. ltseems asif there ~ esome change
IN the present oyster law We need more per
manency than change. and hope the Legs
lature will have a view u that when they uu-
dertake another law. IL takes people so long
10 get used 10 new laws. OyStermen are doing
moro now toward finding ont what changes
they need. and 10 get them. than ever In their
history before
The position that we take is that every per
son in IideWatcr who deserves D. and makes
the effort should be entitled 10 "A living before
anyone has more. Yes. the supply of oysters
is falling of. while more and more persons
are engaged in taking them every year. IN
creased demand and reckless longing cause
their depletion Law against rOughlng is not
sufficient. The young oysters should bee lett
on tho beds with the shells. A culllug law
similar 20 that of Maryland and 70 longer
close season would De- remedy. There
should be no longing on the natural beds for
any purpose in the close season and dredging
should be allowed only every other year.
Planting oysters and shells should be en-
couraged. but no further than when IL COM
mences % bear hard upon the longer do
not think there Is any uncertainty IN the pre-
sent law. | would not hesitate tO plant shells
or oysters under the law ~ II now is; 1t Is good
enough without any better title. Riparian
owners should have extended privileges
There could be great Improvement there.
Under the present arrangement there Is an
opening for "a lot of litigation.
The natural beds ought 10 be marked OF by
buoys and held by the State for the citizens.
There can be no legislative definition of nat
ural beds The only WAY 20 determine them
is for the inspector 10 select five experienced
oystermen in each section, who. upon oath.
should locate the beds All ground not natu-
raj beds might be rented 10 citizens only.
Certainly all holding ground now that have
complied with the present law. and may not
come IN conflict with the riparian owners
privileges ought 20 have the refusal Of what
he holds, not 10 exceed fifty acres IN the
rivers.
The cost of the survey of rocks should bee
paid by the counties. Surveying and plotting
of ground might be done for so much an
acre. Money actually invested in the busi-
ness should be taxed.
Changes in the present law should embrace
the following points.
/. Rocks and planting ground should in no
wise be sold
2 Riparian owners privilege should be ex-
tended.
3. The State should manufacture all tubs Of
galvanized iron.
4. The county surveyor should survey and
plot all ground
8. The rent on planting ground should be
Sl.OO per acre per year.
6. No oysters smaller than two aud half
inches should be taken from the beds
7. There should be no license for longing.
9. The inspector should get a stated salary
| for enforcing the laws
Q. County collectors should collect all rev.
| enues.
TO- Boundaries 10 the natural beds should
be permanently and definitely placed
H. Season for longing should commence
| September 18th and end April 3Oth.
T. The number of acres allowed any one
person within the rivers should not exceed
fifty.
There are numbers of acres of good ground
| in the bay upon which there are no natural
beds which are of no service 10 tongers.
| Planters might be without limit in holding
these. Tongmen ought to have chance to get
what they need in the rivers.
One dollar rent ought TO pay expenses and
provide revenue. If there is no licenses,
the State is navy enough for protection if
she attends TO her business.