Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-28
SALT MARSHES MUD FLATS.
The Importance of Their Utilization FOR the
Purpose of Oyster Culture.

WASHINGTON, D. c., January Y, 1871.
To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
In my address to the oyster convention
held recently in Richmond | referred
briefly to the Importance of so framing
legislation as TO permit the utilzatioh OF
the salt marshes and mud-ilats OF the
Chesapeake for the purposes OF oyster
culture.
As in my Judgment these now unpro-
ductiye tracts Will with proper encourage
ment upon the part Of the State become
the most extensive and important areas
Of oystcr-production in the Chesapeake
| desire 10 avail myself OF your courtesy
to present the subject more fully to those
who are directly interested in the oyster
Industries of the STATE.
Lying around the shores OF the Chesa-
peake and It's saltwater estuaries be
tween the limits Of high and low water
is an immense area of salt-marsh ana
mud-aats. which is OF no value or profit
either TO the state or riparian owner.
Adjacent TO these are similar extensive
tracts Which are exposed 1T the time OF
the spring tides. and which at ordinary
low water are only one or TWO feet below
tho surface.
All OF these areas. now unproductive
and desolate, are capable OF being brought
under conditions OF production more reGu-
lar and profitable than planting In open
waters on grounds naturally adapted 10
the purpose If the policy adopted by the
state shall be such as 10 promote and
encourage the investment Of capital in the
recovery and utilization of these waste
lands.
They are not suitable for planting
F.fs
and muddy bottoms would sink in the
mud. and be smothered. TO consolidate
the bottoms 50 "a to support the oysters
would involve very large expenditures,
which would not in any case be under
taken under a leasehold tenure such as
Is now permitted.
STORES OF FOOD.
The abundant stores Of food, both animal
or vegetable which are produced In
amazing luxuriance on these muddy bot
toms. rich with decaying vegetation. are
the natural food OF the oyster. Under
natural conditions in open waters, 1t IS
taken UP by currents and widely distr-
buted; part only being carried 10 the
public grounds and there appropriated TO
planting, a larger part IL lost SO far as
relates to oyster production.
If, however, such areas were enclosed
by embankments or dykes. with suitable
arrangements of gates and sideways
for controlling and directing the currents.
then the fun food-producing capacity OF
these areas could be utilized for the feed
ing OF oysters. which could be closely
crowded in relatively small areas: like
wise enclosed, and as much under control
and observation as are the fields Of the
farmer. The food production OF 100 acres
10 1.yf ha
closure and the preparation Of ten acres
OF bottom.
In this area the oysters could be
hacked as closely rs possible. Three
thousand bushels 10 the acre could be laid
down with safety, since an abundant food
supply would be produced by the ninety
acres of soft bottoms. Adequacy OF food
supply is the sole measure of the produc-
tive capacity OF an acre OF bottom. pro-
vlded ii Is suitably arranged to support
the oysters.
An installation such as have here
suggested could also be made available
Cor the certain production OF crop OF
spat OF seed oysters. For this purpose
punches of oysters should be established
at different points In the larger area APP
propriated TO the production OF the food
of the oyster. These would spawn at their
proper season. and when observation.
showed that the spat was ready TO settle.
the currents could be directed through
sideways with intercepting collectors OF
clean shells. or other suitable cultch. and
a set of spat obtained with every ebb
tide rs long AZ the spawning season
lasted.
The spat thus obtained after being left
for awhile TO- the shells 10 ccquire some
size and flrnness, could be laid down In
open waters TO grow, and having attained
suitable size. be transferred 10 the en-
closed ponds for INA. growth and fatten-
ing ard preparation for tho market.
EXTENSIVE OPERATIONS.
Should the policy OF the State be such
as TO permit ard encourage the undertake
ing Of such enterprises In oyster culture
as have here outlined. there Is every
reason to expect that the littoral OF the
Chesapeake-the dreary stretches OF salt
marsh now alike uninviting and mpro-
ducfive-will In a few years become the
theatre Of extensive operations In oyster
farming and create q new field OF indus
try, profitable alike TO the Individual and
the State.
The riparian owner VIII be free 70 un-
dertaks tbs improvement Of his water
tyont with Ais own rsseurces % ~ win