The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-11-25
OYSTER MARKET EyLARGING.
Despite Prophecies to the Contrary, the
Demand Keeps Ahead of the supply.

Despite Prophecies to the Contrary, the
Demand Keeps Ahead of the Supply.
Reports from Chesapeake Bay oyster dealers
indicate an increase Of nearly 100 por cent.
compared with last year in the price paid by
the packers to the catchers II is customary
every year for the Baltimore and Norfolk oyster
dealers to make sinister predictions as to the
failure of the oyster supply, while, at the same
time. the wholesale oyster dealers rsimulta-
neously declare that in consequence of a short
supply" prices must be raised. This year.
however. an unusual condition of affairs in the
oyster business has been observed. an increase
in the supply and an increase in the demand.
too.
year ago oysters in the shell" as they are
called loystprs newly caught and offered for
sale to ships, scows, and oyster boats in and
near the Chesapeake Bay. brought from 20
to so cents a bishel. according to the quality.
the marketable division being choice. culls.
and medium" Baltimore is the headquarters
OF the oyster-packing trade, dealing in more
than 10000. 900 bushels in a year. and sending
them to all parts Of the world. Oysters bought
for packing are Of the cheaper grade: oysters
delphia and New York are OF the more expen-
bays and streams Of Maryland and Virginia is
from go to 80 cents a hushel. and there is con-
siderable competition to fill orders,
Perhaps the best explanation Of the enlarged
oyster market this year is TO be found in the
ties. Baltimore and Norfolk OF recent years
have been growing largely as shipping points
for Western cereal products. and the improved
freight service which they have secured makes
10th possible and easy better transportation
facilities in, sending back Eastern products
~tovsters includedl by fast freight; Oysters are
now taken by carloads as far as Winnipeg in as
ago to take them to Montreal or Duluth, and
connection with rhe points of export
the demand for. oysters increases steadily.
although that is increasing. too. Although
other countries. at various times. have endeav-
ored in various ways to emulate the United
States in respect to It's oyster product; this
1ifths Of the total number Of oysters. and when
quality is considered the United States is still
further in advance than that numerically. In
consumption Of oysters per capita is probably
larger in Baltimore than anywhere else, but in
respect. to the total number of oysters. con-
sumed in n year New York, city stnnds. far at
popularity here. although the New York mar
ket supplies, are drawn not only. from
the Chesapeake waters. but. from Delaware
Bay. New ENGLAND and neighboripg New York
which, however. has been OF recent years much
diminished. 1t is a fact not generally known
except to those in the oyster trade that n large
number Of" Maryland oysters; " so called, come
ing into southern parts Of Chesapeake Bay.
particularly the streams on the peninsula be-
tween the James aud the York rivers. are
ritory between Norfolk and Cape Henry there
is. an oyster supply Of the variety known as
Ravens" from, the various coves and Ravens
Of them have attained u celebrity among oys-
ter eDicureS throughout the country.