The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-02-01
A Writer Gives Novel Explanation of
GIeeDgllled Oysters.
THE ABSENCE OF JUMPING MULlETS
Said TO 10 tho Cauac-Priccs Obtained
for Oysters Lately Would Not In.
dIca,e That Tho Busincss Is u Gold
nline-Two Theorics-What Others
Say.

The question OF grcen-gilled oysters
is one of such vital Importance to the
growers and consumers of the luscious
bivalvcs that any information on the
subject will be received with interest.
The Virginian publishes below q letter
from Mr.. George w. Amory in which
he gives an explanation for green-gills
which, while new, certainly bears the
stamp of asonableness, and will repay
careful reading:
Norfolk, Va, Jan. 81, 1898.
Editor Of The Virgnian:
! have read with much interest sew.
eral articles in your very valuable pa
per, from the pens OF az many persons,
ascribinE 4 cause for the green-gilled
oyster. Permit me to say that from
long and careful observation I think
that the theory of each and all have
been radically wrong. Hnismuch as
the theory advanced by writer from
Lynnhaven averred that 1t was doubt
less caused by high tides taking the
drift weeds, etc, OF the shore and they
being allowed to settle on the oyster
beds. Second. writer. Mr.. l.. NJ. Iron
monger. with whom the writer is well
acquainted, advances in his letter the
probable cause as resulting from dry
summer. Now, permit me to say that
If persons whose business have been
affected (and there are many such this
season. will make observation they will
find, first that clans butter-fish Oman
oes). and all shell fish whose home is
naturally several inches underneath the
surface of the oyster bottoms become
green several days in advance of the
oyster, whose natural position is on and
not under the surface of the bottom.
Second. they will find a!Sc by careful in
vestigaton that just after the CLAIMS
and buttectish have become green, and
before the oyster has been affected that
small holes in the bottom will appear,
and that Il green, velvet-lilie film will
begin to show itself, and that these
spots will spread until the entire bottom
is covered, and then. and not until then,
will the oyster show the green, or red,
or yellow, as the case may be. It is
doubtless some kind of n mineral or
other substance from which the oysters
feed.
The reason, in my humble opinion,
why green-gilled oysters are more the
rule of late years IL attributable to one
of two causes: First, OF late years the
jumping mullet and alewives seem to
have left (or nearly so) our shores. The
habits Or 'thcsc little nSli ARE srcl Tho t
In their search for food they keep the
Velvct-like coat of the bottom stirred
SO that this substance passes off with
the tide, or else Is consumed by these
fish. There is no grecn-gill when there
is plenty of mullets or alewives. Sec
ond, In the absence Of these fish where
this coating has started in we have
seen n heavy storm set in, and all the
shores to leeward, reached by the force
of the storm and washed by the heavy
seas, this coating has entirely disap-
peared; whereas in the creeks. coves,
etc. that had not been affected by the
storms force remained as green az ever
If the representatives in the legisla-
ture could have been with us the past
three or four weeks and noted the
prices obtained for oysters that had
been planted two or three years and
selling for from 10 cents to Is cents per
bushel which in many cases they have
done, they would not look upon the oys-
ter industry az n gold mine, or even
business from which an ordinary living
could be obtained.
l will not tax your patience fruther,
as have said enough to insure a speedy
passage to the waste basket already.
Respectfully,
G. w AMORY