The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-06-10

The report OF Fish Warden Van
Dusen for May says In part:
During this month the Yaqulna Ba,
oyster Company, new corporation
organized for the purpose OF trans
planting eastern oysters into the wat
ers OF YaQuina bay. has received an'
planted carload of two and three
year-old seed oysters received from
Riverside. r. l., and there Is ever!
reason to believe that the Yaquini
win soon become as famous for Ia
new product as is Toke Point. for thu
native oyster OF the Yaquina is the
equal In flavor. II not better than any
native oyster on this coast. The sue
cess OF this venture win be the means
OF bringing Coos bay and other Ore
gon bays into the same industry. II
Is the beginning OF an Industry that, II
successful will mean great deal ia
the state OF Oregon.
There is no question about the east
ern oyster seed thriving and growing
TO be a fine oyster in the waters of
Yaquina. The experiment was made
In 1896, when 25 barrels were secured
and planted on the grounds In front Of
oyster City. These. In three or four
years. made their full growth ian
average OF about five inches in length
since then they have simply thickened
in shell. They have spawned every
year. but the spat succumbs to ad-
verse conditions OF It's new habitat
commonly supposed TO be on account
OF the cold water or the sudden change
in the temperature OF the water. At
any rate Yaquina bay. like Willapa
or Shoaiwater bay. is apparently not
adapted 10 the propagation OF this spe-
cies Of oyster. Several experiments
were made to catch and preserve the
spat by State Biologist washburn dur
ing his term OF Office, but all to no
avail. Now another attempt Is being
made by the YaquIna Bay oyster Com
pany, assisted by State biologist
Sweetser. This time a pond has been
provided and the flow Of water regu-
lated by flood gates. BY admitting the
water from the bay at favorable times,
they are in hopes OF keeping the water
In the pond at or near the desired tenn
perature. This experimental work was
arranged through the request of John
D. Wilcox, president Of the company.
The matter was before the board at its
last meeting. and, complying with In
structlons relative thereto. ] immedi- |
ately took the matter up with the state |
biologist. and after visiting the situ- /.
alton and going over the matter per-
sonally with him and Mr.. Wilcox, we
arranged for and had 300 of the old
oysters taken from their beds and |
moved to the new pond by George
King, has had the immediate care and
attention Of them ever since they were
planted In 1896, and In regard thereto
Mr.. King reports the matter Of trans
planting as follows:
MY Dear Sir: In compliance with
your request l herewith submit re-
port in regard to eastern oysters.
by order from state biologist, and
/ request from you, l delivered to the
Bay oyster Company May %
two barrels Of eastern oysters that
we're planted here by the general gov
.rnment in 1896 for experimental pur-
poses. These two barrels weighed 400
pounds net, and contained about 900
,ysters. These oysters are for expert
mental purposes and are planted in an
pond constructed by the
Yaquina Bay oyster Company, and
situated on what is known here as
Jaffery's island.
This is a remarkably late season;
he oysters as yet show no signs Of /
spawning. / shall move
ny breeding float further up the river
lfter the water gets warmer.
The biologist and myself went down