Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-09
acs q rhs Evening star.

o0usspoaasacs of The Evsuinr Star
CHxRRYsroSx, Va, May 1, 1891.
Much has been aid and written recently on
the oyster question. doubt II but few persons
understand The scope and purport Of these dis
e1oions, and hence I thought ] would briefly
outline The subject for more general informs-
ton.
The growth or propagation Of oysters may be
DIVIDED into two conditions First Natural
growth, which results from natural and unas-
sisted propagation. This growth occurs in all
the salt waters, tributaries and estuaries Of
Chesapeake bay. The Legislatures both Of Vir-
ginia and Maryland, believe, have discrimi-
mated between those parts Of their water-cov-
cred territories, which they claim by right Of
eminent domain. suitable for dredging or tong
ing. Broadly stated. the longer. who gathers
oysters laboriously with his hand tongs in his
canoe, may tong anywhere, except on ground
planted by individuals as the result of riparian
right or lease from the state. The dredger,
who uses an iron scoop with purse net attached,
which he drsgs along the bottom, is restricted
to territory not artifcially planted and also
from territory rather vaguely described as
The tonger, Is may be readily understood
can work only in shallow water, not too deep
for his tongs say ten feet. While the dredger can
work whore he can sail, none too deep and but
little too shallow. The tonger is apt TO in
sist that all grounds within reach of his tongs
are natural rocks, and when such are invaded
by dredgers the wars of the tongers and
dredgcrs result with not infrequently loss OF
life.
As the toneers are more numerous and o.
istration are exerted in favor Of the tongers.
Between the two, however, the natural growth
has been arrested and the natural rocks
exhausted, except on the seaside, OF which
more hereafter.
Nature is incapable Of producing under such
conditions Of exhaustion.
1t is the old result you cannot take every
thing from the land and leave something be-
hind.
oYsrKR CULTURE.
The second method Of propagation h by
culture. The culture Of oysters is pursued by
those who own the land (undsr the water) or Who
lease from the state. Different methods are
pursued by those engaged in oyster culture.
Some buy plants-young oysters-and Others
raias their own plants and either sell them or
cultivate them 70 fruition. / will describe the
usual method: The oyster culturer has his
territory staksd on with young saplings topped
with q brush, readily distinguished. In the
spring or fall he buys young plants from the
dredgers, tongers or cultivators and plants
them ON suitable grounds, generally within
reach Of his tongS In about eighteen months
his spring plants have usually attained 9 size
known % ''box oysters," to be eaten at the res
hurant raw box or counter.
The oyster spawns about July. and in order
to catch the young fry or spawn the cultivstor
throws inshors of his oyster beds clean oyster
shells about the time Of spawning.
The spat from his own or other beds is cast
hither and thither on the top of the water by
the tides and winds until il becomes fructitcd
when it drops gradually by gravity. II it
comes in contact with anything hard or smooth
ii adheres and ripens, but If not il is apt to be-
como smothered by the sand or mud In the
fall or spring following the shells with the
young oysters attached are removed 70 deeper
waters 10 perfect their growth and to give place
for more shells the ne 1t spawning season When
the oyster gets big enough to take care Of itself
the connection between il and the parent shell
rots and the oyster drops off,
On the seaside, however there are miles OF
oyster rocks where. owing to superintendent
pressure, the oysters never attain full growth
and hence do not separate. but require consid-
cradle force to separate them one from another
They grow long and with exceedingly sharp
recently these oystels were considered worth
less. since the oysters the natural beds in
the bay have become scarce parties have been
successfully trapsplantins them to the bay
shores. They will not thrive, however MP the
creeks, but must be planted where the oondi-
ton Of strong tides and salter water prevail
similar 10 their native place.
FLOATING SALT oYsrHRs
Oysters that grow in very sal. water are