Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1905-09-14

OYSTER Is
OF IMPORTANCE.

Mr. Oyster, who but one week ago
made his seasons debut into public
lie. is now crowned leader OF the host
OF eatables and its promoters are work.
ing overtime to send it many miles
and supply the great demand. A visit
20 the great industry's centres, BIZ
valve and Maurice River, proves the
fact.
The story of an oysters life is not
generally known and to many may be
interesting.
In the Spring of the year, plants or
seed oysters are deposited in the Cove.
These small affairs come from natural
rocks mostly about Egg Island. The
date OF the planting season is from
May 10th to July 10Th. 1t takes from
one to three years for the baby oysters
to develop into large fat primes. Be.
ginning September l of each year. the
beds are dredged and this operation
continues for several months. 1t is
then that the product is placed upon
the market in large quantities. From
the place of dredging in the Cove oys-
ters are put upon boats and taken to
the shipping stations at either Bivalve
or Maurice River and there they are
made ready for, shipping. The
next stage is publicly known and then
the bell tolls, with only shell left
on somebody's dump.
The great bulk of oysters 90 to
Philadelphia markets, although no
small quantity goes throughout North
Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania.
Estimately the number OF cars which
will go from the two ports this week
will amount to more than three hun
dred. And still the season is only in
its infancy. The Central Railroad is
used more for shipping than the Penn
sylvania, the latter having about two
fifths OF the business. The shipments
will increase one hundred per cent. in
the next two months making probably
a record for the South Jersey places.
Shippers are receiving good prices
for the product this season. They are
getting three and four dollars for the
Gull and six to eight for the prime.
The condition of the oysters is better
than it has been for at least six years
and Agent VanGiIder. of the West
Jersey Railroad, claims they have not
been surpassed for a score OF years.
There is one spot, near the shore of
Dividing Greek, where they are some-
what inferior, but throughout the
cove they are excellent. Some talk of
the oysters which died during the
winter is heard. 1t is said that they
were mostly Ohesapeakes.
There are four hundred boats run.
ming now, from which an idea can be
formed as to the business done. Each
goes down and comes up loaded, giving
quite number OF people employment.
Boats are not at all used for convey.
ance to the markets; everyone is
needed to dredge that can be had.
Captain Ed. Sites, State Commits
sioner, was interviewed and reported
business that had been transacted,
about on basis with that of last year.
The captain is one of Bivalve's busy
shippers.
Capt. Samuel z. Fithian, of this
city, member of the firm of Fithian
q Sutton, was visited and to the lib.
eral minded gentlemanithe Pioneer"
is indebted for much of this informa.
tion. Mr.. Fithian says that business
with all lis very brisk. This firm S
wharf is upon the Maurice River side
of the river.
1t is clearly seen that the industry
in in state of activity and to one
who is not acquainted with the facts,
a visit to the popular oyster shipping
place is most interesting.