The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-26

Tho Oyster f. About to Take His
Departure.

Departure.
The close Of the oyster season is a2-
preaching. and already there is notice
able absence Of the large number Of oys-
ter-laden boats that were lined up along
the wharves earlier in the season. While
the quantity handled has not been as
large as last year. the prevailing prices
have been about the same with occa-
slonal exceptions. when they were higher.
Even though the city has an enviable rep
utatlon FOR beautiful women, excellent
shad and oysters, there are a great many
people who do not know that about
100000 bushels Of oysters go through
the hands of dealers here In a years
time. During the season of ls9i-'95, there
were 4.i63, 100 bushels received and dis
posed Of. Up 10 the 1st Of last January.
290i, 200 bushels were handled this season.
Since that time the supply has been
very much less than during the same
period of other seasons. The leading deal
ors say that the quantity handled viii
be in the ncighborhOOd Of 10000 bushels
less than last year. Tho time for
dredging commenced November lst last
and ended March 18th. and the longing
period started October 18th ana closes
season IS from about the lst Of Decem-
Der to the latter part Of February.
The packers are complaining about
scarcity Of Chesapeake Bay oysters. and
say they have practically stopped shuck-
ing them. Instead, they are getting
shocked oysters from Norfolk, Va, Eliza
beth City. y. c., and other points. and
shipping them out as Baltim0re-shucked
oysters. The shell oysters now coming
10 the city are principally from the Rap
pahannock. North River, and the neigh
borhood OF Thomas Point, in Virginia
waters. They are what are known In
oyster parlance as ''tonged stock IL
As estimated that when tho season comes
10 an end about $4,000 bushels will have
been received and disposed OF In the
city. Gu,
The prices now prevailing are: Shell
stock 20 10 90 cents bushel shuckeu
selects. 81 to Sl.20 a gallon; standards
rs TO 90 cents. Maryland dredged oys-
ters sold at from 40 10 20 cents bushei'
The packers say that owing 10 the. active
market they cannot work as hucn aS
Am other seasons. and that some OF them
have all they can do TO make both ENDS
meet. Packed oysters are Selling IN iNe-
ounce cans at - IL cents dozen, ana
four-ounce cans az 60 cents
Whom nature "a lavish with her gifts,
there is n tendency on the part OF the
people blessed TO abuse the things thus
eiven. Hence. IL is said that the Ches-
apeake Bay oyster needs protection ana
that If proper care Is NOT bestowed II
,,-ut Ia beld M as an example OF a once
,,.,rdsnt nroiuct that has been destroyed
nv the wastefulness and neglect Of the
.,,,nio ~ shells are returned 10 the
waters. they make a bed for young oys,
~, a,d In n wear or so each shell will
ba,.e balf a dozen or more little oysters to
n. thereby increasing the stock drawn
against. The oyster must have some solid
bed, such as an Ola 8, 'O Gin ~ fail ,r,o the
,,,nd and Nth at the bottom OF the
ntrear, and although 1t may live, yet the
oyster will be thin and watery.
oysters rvs, handled after April lst are in
,ery small quantities. baltimore Amer
lean.