The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-03-11
Oysters and Good Roads.

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which are now before the Legislature
should receive the support of every legis-
lator, as the benefit to the State at large
would be far-reaching in effect, meaning
as it does the development of the oyster
industry of Maryland, which on account
of the rapid depletion of the beds is stead
lily diminishing, and also the improve
ment of the country roads. This latter
feature. which appeals with special force
to every resident in the rural districts, is
by no means secondary one, and is of
vital importance to our farmers, who
year after year, have contributed their
taxes toward the maintenance of the
present poor system of highways, and
have seen State aid granted for almost
every conceivable thing, which in no way
affected the interests of the large percent
age of population that permanent high
ways would, and have received no recog-
milton from the State for the just demands
for assistance in the betterment of them.
Let every member of the Legislature,
regardless of party. lend his support
for the passage of these bills and the fur
therance of the interests they will pro-
mote by their enactment into laws.
The following extracts are from recent
editorial OF the Baltimore Sun. in support
of the measures:
I'm various forms the question of arti-
fetal oyster production has been before
the people of Maryland for number of
years. Men who have investigated and
studied the subject from the standpoint
of the scientist have concluded, after
thorough research, that the salvation of
the industry in Maryland depends upon
the utilization of the barren bottoms of
the Chesapeake for artificial production
of OYSTERS Men who have had practical
experience in the industry as oysteruen
have reached the same conclusion
Meantime. while the industry has been
steadily diminishing in Importance, other
States have adopted system of oyster
planting with substantial results. While
in Maryland our legislators have been
satisfied in the pas. with academic discus
sion, Virginia, Delaware and other States
have been doing things not talking.
Consequently they have established their
industry on a solid basis, which assures
its permanence. Is it not time for Mary
land to take its place in the column of
these enlightened and progressive States?
Is it sensible and businesslike to wait un
til the natural beds in the Chesapeake are
exhausted and the oyster industry of
Maryland is on the verge of destruction
before entering upon the work of develop
ing the barren bottoms of the Chesapeake?
1.-The closer the plan of oyster produc-
ton embodied in the Haman bill is
scrutinized the more it commends itself
to the judgement of thoughtful and
practical men In the waters within the
State of Maryland there is an area, esti-
mated approximately at between 400, 900
and 500, 900 acres, which. by scientific
methods of planting and culture, could be
made to produce enormous quantities of
oysters. These barren bottoms in their
present unproductive state are of no use
or value to oystermen. Their energies
are devoted exclusively to taking oysters
from the natural beds-taking them in
such quantities, year after year, that it is
only a question of time when the natural
beds will be depleted and the supply from
this source exhausted. What is fhe pro-
position contained in the Haman bill
1t is simply that the unproductive bot
toms, which are of no value, SO far as the
oyster industry is concerned, to anybody,
should be taken in by the State. leased in
lots ranging from 80 to 100 acres to citi-
zens of Maryland who desire to engage
in oyster planting and cultivation,
and thus be made source of wealth
to the whole State. Then, when the
natural beds have been depleted, if
they are not saved from destruction by
adequate protective measures in the
future, there will be an uufailing supply
of oysters in the area once unproductive.
but made productive by systematic aud
comprehensive plan Of cultivation by
Maryland enterprise and skill.
Every practical business and econom-
ical consideration just6es and demands
the establishment of the system of leasing
and planting in the uuproduc.ive area of
the Chesapeake and its tributaries en-
bodied in the Haman bill There is
another business consideration which
commends itself particularly to the far
mers of the State They want good roads,
The revenue derived from leasing the
barren bottoms of the Chesapeake will be
divided among the counties of the State
for the improvement of their public high
WAYS. Without additional taxation the
farmers will have every year substantial
sum to spend npon the improvement of
county roads. That is what the passage
of the Haman bills means to them. Is
it surprising that in all parts of the State
they are demanding that their representa-
tives in the Legislature vote for the
enactment of legislation to further the
material interests of every county in the
State-of Western Maryland, Southern
Maryland and the Eastern Shore?"
Inflammatory Rheumatism Cured.