The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-05-11

err Acconac, chairman; Captain Seth T.
Miller, Mathews, secretary; Messrs. Geo.
3. Keezell, Rockingham; Pembroke Pet
tit, Eluvanna; and John A. Curtis. Rich
mond city.
When the Board took charge they
found the oyster industry in a chaotic
condition, and as a result of regular
biennial wrangles between the members
from Tidewater and those from upland
section on the subject Of fish and oys-
tiers, not dollar was coming into the
treasury from this source. Indeed, the
industry was a charge upon the treas
ury, and it was q condition that called
for the best thought of the members of
the Board.
Under all the adverse conditions sur
rounding the situation. entailing the har-
moniZing OF conflicting views in the Leg
islature and the re-cQuipping of the old
WORKOUT oyster navy, the Board In the
very first year Of its incumbency placed
the industry on basis which made it a
source of revenue clear Of expense, ana
for the last fiscal year the State re-
ceived in cold cash from this source So,
600 in round numbers.
STILL FURTHER INCREASE.
It is the opinion Of those close to the
Their increase under the administration of
the board recently named by Governor
Montague, as these members come in and
take up the work SO thoroughly and
faithfully performed by their predeces-
sors III Office New oyster lands have
already been taken into the boundary and
are paying the State handsomely. This
is notably true of Isle of Wight and
Surry, which have been recently added.
Practically all the Tidewater counties are
now in the oyster boundary, but the most
productive section Of all IS naturally the
great eastern shore of the State. which
is in itself a great natural oyster bed.
Last year, for instance. the county of
Accotnac paid $1,000 OF the entire So-,0oC
derived by the State from the oyster
industry in the whole State. '"rhe Ches-
apeake and its Tributaries is the proper
definition of the boundaries OF Virginia
oyster lands, however, and practically ell
the lands that lie along them are produc-
tive to a more or less degree OF Inc
bivalve and his kin.
A NEW SCHEME.
Besides arriving at a more perfect sys-
TEN OF driving out pirates from Virginia
alia Maryland waters by the aid Of the
Joint commission, and defining more
Clearly the boundaries between the two
States, the Virginia Board OF Fisheries
has now on hand an experiment au-
tiioiiIeu w INC is,ol i-sSisis'eu " {, "tiAGii
promises to become a source OF great
profit. both to the planters and to the
State. It is the planting of oysters in
the deep water of the Chesapeake and
It's tributaries. The new members of the
hoard are enthusiastic and will press the
scheme with much vigor.
One of them said the other day that
1t could hardly be called an experiment,
rs it had been done with fine results in
Connecticut and in Long Island Sound.
The members of the new board are
1,r. ]. W. Bowdoin. Of Accomac CHAIR
MANI: Captain Seth Il. Miller, OF Ma
thews (secretary); Messrs. George B.
Keezell. of Rockingham: r. ]. Camp. OF
Southampton; and Henry NJ. Tyler, OF
Richmond city. They are all fine men
and are taking a deep interest in the
work of building up the oyster Industry
~ 49, State,