Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1906-02-23

A
were put out near the shore to grow
from one season to another. This was
continued in small way until the Civi
War, when the blockade of the West.
em Shore waters of Virginia greatly
increased the demand and prices. With
the coming of several Northern planters
came increased activity on the part of
the natives, and planting was engaged
IN on what was then considered a large
scale.
Experiments soon demonstrated that
the plants would grow better out in the
bay, and in better shape, than along the
ocean shores. Nearly every man then
became a planter, and it has since been
the principal source of income. For. q
while plants could be secured in ada
cent waters, but now every body of
water from the island to Cape Charles
Is annually worked, and many are
brought from the James river and other
parts OF the Chesapeake.
For long time planting was unknswn
south of Chincoteague bay, but now it
Is successfully done south to Smiths
Island Many portions offer opportun-
tiles for the growth of oysters un-
equaled on the Chesapeake. The spat
seems greater on the seaside: it will
catch to any rough substance, and the
oysters grow much faster. The flats
even are capable of immense develop
ment, and the business, while large
now and yearly increasing, is still in it's
infancy.
Oysters, like corn, require work. and
must have it. This is especially true
OF the ground planted with shells. The
waters planted in shells yield better
results than can be gotten from plants.
as many more young oysters catch
hold.
II is estimated now that the sale, for
the winter from that section will reach
!, 900, 900 bushels, valued at nearly
$500, 900. For the profits realized
Chincoteague presents the best illustra-
ton. At the beginning, in 1s4s, the
population of the island was under 500
and the property of the resident was
not valuable at more than $50. 900.
Planting did not become a business
until 1862. The population of the island
is now about, $500, and the property
valuation above. 81, 900, 900. At least
three-fourths of this is due directly to
the planting of oysters.
The greatest factor in the develop
ment of the demand for oysters has
been the starting of shucking houses.
These can now be found on nearly every
inlet on the seaside and employ hun
dreds of hands at good wages. Balti-
more, New York and Philadelphia 10
years ago handled the entire OUTPUT
from this section in the shell. Now the
great cities in the Middle West and
Northwest have. become educated to
the fine quality of the oyster as an ar
ticle of food and buy thousands of gal
Ions every winter.
The demand has grown and advanced
in the same manner as that for Vir-
ginia sweet and Irish potatoes. We
needed many of the dollars sent away
to the West for hay, flour and grain.
The western people liked our potatoes
and finally began to buy our oysters.
Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chi
cago, Indianapolis, Quincy, Burlington,
Minneapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City,
Omaha and Lincoln now give daily
orders for large shipment. The demand
is growing constantly in that section,
and the Virginia oysters bids fair to be
a regular article of food in the West
very soon.