The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1891-05-30
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OYSTER SHELLS.
The BiTalses Put to Many Good Uses.
REMARKABLE EVIDENCE OF THE
INDIANS LIKING FoR OYSTERS.

1t has been estimated that 23,OOO, 900
bushels OF oysters are opened annually
In the United States, and that this re-
presents an accumulation of shells
amounting to not less than 243, 1870. 900
cubic feet. which if spread out would
cover space OF more than $50. 600
yards square to q depth of three feet,
No doubt the majority of persons
vino have assisted in eating the
oysters contained in this enormous
amount OF shells seldom give thought
as to what becomes of these rough,
lneouth coverings. A few, perhaps,
it questioned on the subject, would be
lkely to reply that the only way in
which they had seen them utilized
was in filling up and making roads,
enhankments and wharves. Never
theless, this is but one of their MANY
uses, as they are extensively employed
in making "stols" for new oysters beds.
by spreading them on the bottom Of
the bays and other bodies of water in,
which oysters are propagated, thus
forming bed upon which the spawn
settles and grows into maturity. They
are also converted into lime, serve IA
ballast for vessels, and made into fer
tllizers. In addition to this they play
an important part in the poultry yard,
where, IN powdered form, they are
much sought after by those engaged.
IN raising fowls Of every kind.
The early colonists used nothing
but oyster-shell lime, and in many
rarts of New England there still exist
mills and kilns devoted entirely to
the industry of converting the shells
into that material. They have been
used in making a hydraulic cement,
when mixed with clay and magnesia.
and gave perfect satisfaction, not on
ly in laying drains, coating cisterns
and the like, but also in making gard
en- vases, fountains and other orna-
mental objects exposed to the ele-
ments.
That these shells have been used
for fertilizing purposes for hundreds
of wears is evinced by the fact that
eFen naF, in some portions of Canada,
what is called "Mussel- mud,n is ding
out OF the remains of extinct oyster
beds by huge machines adapted to the
purpose and spread in thick layers
over tho land. This is merely sur
vival of an old custom, as we are told
that i'll early times they were labori-
ously dredged out and used for the
same purpose.
Mr.. Ernest IngersolI, noted au-
tnor:ty on the history of this favorite
bivalve, states that "along the Pamlico
Sound, in North Carolina, when the
weather becomes warm and there is no
employment for their boats, the fish
ermen rake up boat loads of rough
bunch or coon oysters and carry
them to the farmers to be sold and
used as fertilizer, for which from
three to five cents bushel is paid.r
These 'coona oysters are seldom eaten,a =
but are found in immense quantities,
In southern waters, every stake, bit
OF sunken log, or the branches of fallen
trees being loaded down with them.
In the northern and eastern states
the Immense mounds of oyster, clam
and mussel shells found in varions 10
calities along tho coast prove mex
baustible mines for agriculturists. who
use them as top dressing for their
farms. In the neighborhood OF Dana
riscotta. Me-, there arc mounds which
are estimated to contain not less than
100000 cubic feet of shells-a lasting
monument to the red mans partiality
for crustaceous food. Prior to being
used the shell must he burned, which
is done in rude. home made Gins
Detroit Free Press.