Evening star., 1894-02-03

rhymes. The early colonists in this part
or the country obtained oysters from the
Indians in exchange for trinkets and other
mercna ndise. The savages conducted this
fishery systematically, not only procur-
ing the bivalves for their own use, but
sending the dried meats for great distances
Inland for barter with tribes of the in
terror. In the same way various kinds Of
marine shells, since dug out of mounds in
Ohio and elsewhere, were obtained by the
inland aborigines. Nevertheless, it does not
appear that the early European settlers in
this region drew to any great extent upon
this valuable source of food supply.
The oyster fishery of Maryland-the most
extensive and valuable in the world-has
been vexed with disputes for the last sew
enty years Legislative attempts to con-
troll 1t satisfactorily have been made in
vain Whereas in most other oyster-produc-
ing states the market supplies are chiefly
obtained from private grounds, Maryland
has persistently refused to encourage the
development of proprietary beds, devoting
an her energies toward protecting the free
hshery on the public domain. Though the
provision OF oysters made by nature for
this region Is go vast imprudent methods
or hshing are threa tening to exhaust 1t.
Already the yield is becoming less though
still enormous, and the oysters brought to
market are of much smaller size than
n1i.y Iormery. Thus 1t happens that several
pdlllinore market men are now importing
large oysters from elsewhere.
They Are Getting Smaller
The largest seasons catch recorded was
that of 1SSi-5, when 15,OCO 900 bushels ware
brought to market In 1929 the yield was
only lo'l42,JO0 bushels. The oyster reefs
nave actually increased in area during the
last tnlrty-hve years, but the bivalves are
IeWer' as well as smaller. Their diminished
size is due to the fact that they do not have
time 10 grow bigger before they are taken
Most OF the Potomac oysters are sold in
baltimore, though about 1901 900 bushels of
them are marketed in Washington. Fror,
thls river come the famous kettle bot
IONS, which are the largest oysters pro-
duced in Maryland. The laws of MARYLAND
and Virginia respecting oysters are 90 ~
variance as to seriously affect the interests
OF the fishery in the Potomac
Two great interests in the MARYLAND fish
cry have been at war with each other for
nearly century They are representad re-
Spectiveiy by the tongmen and the dredgers
Ihey are united on only one point. namely
IN ahtagonism toward the planters This
antagonism Is due to a feeling that the
planting of oysters Is an Infringement of
custom and is calculated to Interfere win
the free fishery The tongmen hate the
uredSers because of the improved machinery
used by the latter. The former are citizens
OF Maryland, as is required by law Few
~orRInen are more independent than they
AT almost any time any one of them who
hhoWs ms craft can catch from four to
Twelve bushels of oysters in a day for which
there is always a demand at his door He
sells them to neighboring market houses or
70 Transportation vessels Having enough
10 supply his temporary needs, he takes life
easy. His earnings are from 500 to $500
per annum. This much he gets by longing
put usually he does more or less of other
kinds of work as well.
Ihe oyster fishery of Sinepuxent bay. in
worcester county, has had a very remark
able history. From 1S2O to 1874 the bivaIves
were so extraordinarily abundant there that
tney were gathered in great quantities for
burning into lime. Owing to natural causes
the outlet of the bay was closed In 1919
and III water became so fresh and the bot
tom so covered with vegetable growths that
the oysters were almost entirely DESTROYED
In 1858 big storm opened a new inlet and
thoroughly secured out the bay. This re-
suited in great deposit of "spat' during
tne next season. and within three years the
yield OF oysters in the bay rose to SElUU
pusheis per annum. Farmers deserted their
neids to work this molluscan bonanza. and
some persons earned as much as 500 a
week by fishing for oysters. But the inlet
closed up and the oysters decreased. on
this account the yield of the BAY has been
small since 1854 At present a plan Is con-
tempiated Tor opening a new outlet by en-
sineerlng- II this is done the bay ia likely
10 become once more a producer of oysters
on a great scale. For information on this
SUBJECT the writer Is indebted to Mr. Chas
H. stevenson of the fish commission.