Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-02

scublfc grornls. in the different coun-
IS. shall be selected for these special
IS. should be determined by the fish
nd so-.ster commissioners. who Should DC
vested with authority to make the neces
;ary Investigations and report promptly
TO the Governor or Legislature.
The absolute sale CT the oyster beds
md tidal bottoms OF the State would.
n ny humble opinion. be measure TAR
.eacring in It's consequences. You would
,ot legislate for the present only, but
for generations yet unicorn.
No man knows to-day what the ui-
innate value of these vast tidal bottoms
Virginia will be.
Chesa peake bay and Its tributaries are
universally recognized as the most vaiu-
bic fishing and oyster grounds in tut
whole world.
The waters have just til. right salinity
ina depth and much If the bottom IS
just what it should be for the successful,
.ultiva ton of the oyster.
This great bay is fed by numerous
large sh-water!r1vtrs. whose Waters are
fmpregnated with a delicate vegetable
germ essential to the successful cuItlva-
/. ion Of the oyster.
The succulent bivalve will be more and
more In demand as the great Cites IN
crease in population.
The State Of Virginia made a fatai
mistake when. under temporary neces-
sity. she parted with her interests III nef
always at the close of the GILL war
The writer feels sure she viii make
fatal mistake should she part ABSOLUTELY.
with her vast tidal lotions.
If there te no limit as to the area OF
bottom which may be held by one fndi
1t is only question OF comparatively
short time when one or two great compa-
lieS will ccn.rol most of the oyster
grounds of the State.
In the great open bays and rivers these
grounds can OILY be probably handled
N large areas. in the small rivers ana
creeks small holdings are possible os
men Of very modest means. Would II
not be wise public policy to encourage
such holdings?
There is one rule as to rentals, which
has always prevailed IN Virginia. which
is absurd namely the rental Of oyster
grounds at a Uniform rate per acre IL
is even more absurd than If agricultural
lands were so rented. In the writer's
opinion long leases of her tidal bottoms
It q fair rental. limiting the area whlcn
may be controlled by one company, &c
corr. spend with the nature or the hot-
tor,s to be rented. would De Wise poolc
policy. under present economic condltlons
The planted oysters should be assessed
and taxed as any other real property Is
taxed The planter should unque ssienably
have the right to use any labor-savins
machines he finds to his interest TO
use. and at the expiration OF his lease
ne should have the first right to re-
rewaI of his lease, at a rental to BE fixed
by the State under the then existing con-
ditionS.
Those States which have developed their
oy stcr interests have done so by wisely
re stricting by metes. and bounds, and dis
tarces. their natural oyster beds as they
have become dc pleted oc oysters. and have
oy ster planting on these dt-
pIeted grounds by private individuals
and companies.
Since the completion of the so-called
Baylor Survey" the urea OF the pubic
on stcr grounds of the State mas been
materially increased by many special acts
of the State Legislature. If this area has
ever been diminished so that the revenue
derived by the State from the rental OF
her oyster bottoms might be increased.
t:le writer does rot know of it.
j. 8. BAYLOR
Newmarket Milford P. O., Caroline
county, Va.