Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1901-01-25
Friday, january 20, 1901.
SEED OYSTERS.

The question of enforcing the law
to prevent seed oysters being carried
from this State is a very important
one. 1t means, if not prevented
that it will be but matter of a few
years when the State OF Virgins
VIII suffer severely by competition
with the immense output of oysters
In northern states that have been
cultivated at the expense of the vir-
glnia oyster rocks. Already this is
beginning to be felt. The scarcity
OF James river seed has advanced the
price, and the comparatively few who
harvest them from the James are not
financially bettered by the increased
price when the scarcity is considered.
The planters of other sections of
virginia are, consequently, greatly
handicapped in their business. while
the competition of northern oysters
grown from Virginia seed, has pro-
duced its effect upon the markets for
grown oysters.
There is State law which seeks
to prevent vessels from taking these
oysters out of Virginia, but notwitb
standing the vigilance of the Board
OF Fisheries and the oyster police it
is still persisted in to some extent.
dow best to enforce the law is a
question which has been much agi-
tated in oyster localities.
The editor of this paper has given
the subject much thought and the
best plan which has presented itself.
though not altogether an original
one, is to make the vessels trading
In these oysters for Virginia plant
ing procure permits from inspectors.
In that way the police boats could
know who we're carrying for the vir-
ginia trade and who for the northern
trade. When unloading, the cap
tain should be required to get an en-
dorsement upon his permit from the
local inspector. The idea could be-
enlarged upon and other important
minuti@ inserted.
In suggesting this plan to the
Board of Fisheries the Board in
forms us of the following by letter:
EDITOR CIfIzEN:
THE Board took up the matter IN
which you refer in your letter OF the
llth inst, namely-that OF preventing
the carrying of seed oysters out of the
state We had some parties followed who
had taken seed oysters to New Jersey and
had arrests made on return OF tho par.
ties to Virginia. The general prevailing
idea among vessel men has been 10 the
elect that this law could not be main.
taiued, for the reason that Il interfered
SO TO speak, with the Interstate Com
mercc Laws OF the United States. The
parties above referred to, who were ar
rested, employed the best counsel thew
could obtain from the Stata of Nav,
Jersey (they themselves being from that
state) who. after making research into
the laws OF Virginia, advised them NOT
to test the validity OF the law, but to nav
such fine as the magistrate might i'm. |
pose which they did.
ut is very difficult and exneusive
matter to ascertain positively when YES. !
sci captains intend and really do carry
these oysters out of the State, and the
Board has been considering the best
means Of preventing it, at as little cost
TO The State as possible, and the method
you mentioned has been partially CON.
sidered.
you probably have faint idea of the
great trouble we have to get the laws
enforced In cases of violation, the courts
being slow and very often, il seems nm
willing to have cases pending tried and
disposed OF. We shall be more than
glad to meet you and talk over this most
important feature of preserving our
oyster industry to our own people"