The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-10-11

1t must be plain To the average person
who may give the subject Il moments
thought that the oyster is fast suppressed
ing the bean As Il sunday dish. The
change j. in the line of progress. as the
sueeulent and easily digested oyster is
specially adapted to the needs of man.
upon Il day when more hearty food is
not only not required, but is an absolute
injury.
The labor required to prepare the
oyster for the table is so slight, that it
recommends itself to the favorable no.
lice OF all housekecpers.
The development of this mollusca as
an article of food, has been phenomenal
in this town. There is hardly native
resident of this place but can remember
that twenty years ago there were but
two places in town where the oyster
could he purchased aud then at irregular
intervals. Asa Coleman and Elbridge
Pierce We're the only two who served
them and the purchase of a single gallon
|
great business enterprise. The eating
of an oyster stew in those days was an
event OF considerable Importance and
marked an epoch in the life of many a
boy who has since grown to manhood.
Compare this with the present day and
note the change. will venture to say
that at least seventy-five gallons of
oysters are consumed weekly in Skowhe-
gan, during what is termed the oyster
season; it has become common article
of food and keeping pace with its devel-
opment the price has been dropping
from year to year until to-day it is com
parhtiyely cheap.
But in eating the oyster as freely as
we do. how many of Us are informed as
to its Importance as one of the products
of our country, where it is raised, and
many other things regarding its develop
ment and sale.
First, it is the most extensive of the
| fishing industl les of the United States,
yielding products three times as yalu-
able rs the Cod fisheries and six times as
valuable aS the Whale industry.
1t employs over IN, 600 people and the
annual yield is about 10000, 900 bushels,
worth to the fishermen about $40 0O0,-
600.
The capital invested in the industry is
about $4,000, 900, employing between
/, 900 and 5000 vessels aud $4,000 boats.
OF this tremendous yield of oysters,
over so per cent. comes from the ChcSa-
peake bay, where the largest and best
natural beds exist.
They are also raised in considerable
quantities along the Virginia, and Jersey
coast and from there through Long
Island sound to the Providence river.
In Narragansett bay and the Prov-
denee river are raised the finest oytsers
in the world and from this river we get
the Raatc only of the oyster which is
kept in Skowhegau.
! The Providence River oyster, as sold
| by the dealers in town, is such only in
name, as it comes from the Chesapeake
bay or Virginia coast, and we make this
statement with IA full knowledge of the
subject and defy proof to the contrary,
and we are safe in saving that with the
exception of few that are kept in the
shell, not SjRHic, aeBalHe Providence
| River oyster ever comes To this town, as
| ~ l. f,t h.t -. fa
Oysters are opened mostly in Norfolk
and sshucking" oysters is an industry
peculiar to itself Some large firms en-
ploy from 200 to 300 hands in this work.
As the oysters are opened they are grad
ed AS to size and thus it is that we get
the two kinds that are known as the
Providence Rivers and the Norfok's,
the large ones being thrown into one
tub, the small ones into another.
These two kinds are identically the
same oyster and differ, so far rs quality
is concerned only in size, but the market
price varies considerably.
| The oyster was an ancient article of
food and it has been proven beyond a
doubt that the ancient Romans were
skilled in the culture of this bivalve.
Now FOR BUSINESS:
We are handling oysters, and make a
speciality of the Sunday trade, delivering
them at your house if you wish.
Although not generally known, our
store at l25 Water Street, has been an
oyster depot for the last ten years and
although some concerns in town may
have handled more oysters than we
have, we can safely assert that the SUI
perior quality of our goods has never
been questioned.
For Sunday trade we shall carry both
the Providence River and the Norfolk.
We invite comparison of our goods with
those of competitors, and If conyersa-
ton is worth dollars and You wish to
pay 80 cents per quart for the same
goods that we sell for 10 cts, you are
out of pocket just 10 els.
Our oysters are strained on arrival
| thus insuring AN ufsald meats