The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-01
THE OYSTER SEASON OPENED.
September HaS Arri1ed and With II The
Luscious BiYalYeS.
THE COUNTIES WHICH PRODUCE THEN.
The Law as II Now Stands VIII Probably BE
Materially Changed at the Next Log
islature to Protect Them.

II is generally acknowledged that the oyster
is a proper food and marketable during all of
the months which contain the letter II" and
as September begins to-day. the season may
be considered as opened. although IL will be
several weeks before the market here will be
fully supplied.
The luscious bivalyes are pre-eminently q
pleasant and popular food. and in nearly every
hamlet Of this country one may encounter the
sign, Fresh oysters in every style" In a
great many of the distant points the oysters
Gre in buckets Of wood or tin. but tho average
citizen smacks his lips over them with the
same gusto as the epicure over New York
raw box. or a Baltimore fry.
Tho oyster is susceptible of numberless
methods Of preparation. in all OF which it re-
mains the same unapproachable addition to
the menu of which people never seem 10 tire.
Tie United States and France are the two
countries which are most actively engaged in
this branch of the fishery industry. Great
Britain has only few natural beds left and
the industry in-Canada. Holland. Italy. Ger
many. Spain and Russia is comparatively in
significant.
WHERE THEY GROW.
The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries
furnish about 30 per cent of the oysters taken
where recognized as the finest specimens of
the oyster which is known. Maryland and
Virginia naturally become the States which
profit most by the trade. and both have fleet
of boats designed expressly for the protection
OF the industry Both of these States have ex-
tensve laws which have been enacted for the
purpose of fostering the culture of the oysters
and TO keep inviolate the rights which each
possesses III the valuable natural beds which
abound about their shores.
Considerable controversy at one time arose
concerning the ownership between the States
OF certain beds in the Potomac river near
Hog Island. One Of the Maryland vessels
vas sunk by Virginia boat and considerable
excitement prevailed.
All of the natural beds in Virginia waters.
outside of the low water line, are owned by
the state and are now rented at % cents per
acre. and the term of such rental by law is
reduced 10 one year at a time. These beds
will in time yield an immense revenue 10 the
State. and IL is probable that many changes
will be made in our present laws regarding
the matter 1T our next legislative session.
The oyster boat Chesapeake has been re-
Gently Oyerhauled and a few days ago left for
the beginning of her winters work The
other vessels composing the Virginia oyster
navy are the schooners Tangier and POGO
mOke.
The season has opened. and soon the
hand-bills will announce oyster suppers. and
the raw box" and fresh oysters" signs will
be regilded or reprinted and put in shape to
attract the lovers of the bivaves. Oysters
come in splendidy for parties, suppers and
oil entertainments where food is served. They
constitute "A delightful and very moderate
priced lunch. and the average clerk and the
newspaper reporter will welcome the season
with JOY.