Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-07

fields yielded the first year under
this new system the handsome sum Of
$4,000, more than $4,000 of which was
clear profit, and for the first eighteen
months. ending the 3lst of September,
1899. as Will be seen by reference TO the
report of the Board of Fisheries 10 your
honorable body, that the
Total amount collected Tor the
first eighteen months OF the
laws operation was.............S 1905 40
Total EXPENSES. .... ............ 5o,3gi a
Net revenue to the States 1850 06
Total revenue for the previous
year...... ...... ........ ......... g,3eD 70
Total expenses .................... 1855 %
Denoit.....~. ........ ..........s l.sos %
Difference, adding deficit......... 1871 20
Total income for four years
1894 1895, 1896. 1S97................ 131630 3S
Total expenses for the same
time..... .... ...... ...... ...... 1855 10
Net. ...... ...... ..........$ 1f.745 2S
Average per NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 1856 81
Average annual expense under
the old law. ...... ............ % 22l %
Average annual expense under
the new Observation-Disclosures. 20.26i IS
There should be encoura cement in such
a showing.
VALUE OF OYSTER BEDS.
Governor Wise, when he sent to the
Legislature his famous message in 1851.
in which this subject, among others, was
treated. indelibly impressed upon the
minds of the people of Virginia the value
of their property in public soil suitable
for the cultivation of oysters. The State
was looking about for new sources of
revenue. and he estimated that we had
1900 square miles of oyster grounds and
that the yield from them was 2500DOO0 to
100000 bushels per annum, and that a
tax Of . cents per bushel would yield
yearly net revenue of $4,000. But for
the approach of the war between the
States. it is probable there would have
been some decided legislation upon the
subject. As IL is, forty-odd years have
passed. and as the elimination Of seve-
raj experiments we have just seen the
beginning of a system which holds out
the promise Of certain and considerable
revenue. The state may hope now for
a steady increase in her revenue from
oyster grounds. but long years must pass
and the planting industry must improve
vastly. if ever we can indulge the hope
of seeing the sum reach anything like the
amount predicted by Governor Wise.
The result of the Baylor survey was to
show that we have about 100000 acres OF
natural oyster beds and about 10000
acres of other ground suitable for the
cultivation OF oysters. Much Of the lat
ter. however. has muddy bottom which
must be improved at more or less cost
before il can become profitable planting
ground But even If one-fourth OF this
territory can be utilized and rented the
State will receive from planting-ground
alone the sum OF 100000, and with pro-
per protection to-. the natural beds. and a
just revenue from the same this sum
can be greatly augmented.
me great aim or the state should be 10
preserve the natural beds, whence comes
our supply Of seed oysters, and 10 en-
courage planting.
/ refer You 10 the report OF the State
Board Of Fisheries for much valuable in
formation relating 10 the progress OF
their work So far as ! am in a position
to judge public sentiment is steadily
crystalizing in support of the existing
law, and / believe 1t will. ere long, be
found to be a satisfactory revenue pro-
Queer. As the planting industry prospers
more of our lands will be taken by plant
ers. on the other hand. this law gives
to the people interested In oyster
culture a security and tenure they
have always longed for and have
not had hitherto. a survey as
suggested by the board should be made
by all means / am of the opinion mat
any disturbance of the basis upon which
the present law rests would be harmiul
in the highest degree to the state, as
well as to those who are directly inter-
ested in the cultivating and marketing
of oysters. Peace and security are what
the oyster interest needs. and with chem
will come. | am sure. gradual. but GER
tain. increase i'm the States revenue. II
Virginia can be fortunate enough TO al
WAYS keep the positions ON such boards
from being the rewards of partisan po-
litical labors, we will have the pleasure
i'm the future. as at present, In receiving
such gratifying returns.