Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-02-17
WANTS inlet At OCEAN CITY
Correspondent Also Advocates Haman
Oyster Law And Wants State To Cut
An inlet From Ocean To Bay.

OCEAN CITY, Feb. l4th. i was very
much interested in reading the contribu-
tion from Ocean City in your last paper
regarding the inlet. would like to
say something about the inlet and oys-
ter culture, 1t is subject that is be-
ing discussed, and will be until the in
let is made. If the bays were salted
we surely would reap harvest in a
short time. have thought much about
the inlet. and feel sure it would be a
grand success. We want the inlet near
Ocean City, north or south, anywhere,
just so we have the salt water. think
the surest way to get it, is to build a
bulk-head from the main land to the
beach in V shape, the point to ex-
tend to the beach. As the bulk head
wears the beach away the force of wa
ter will be increased and gradually cut
into the beach, and, finally, by extend
ing the bulk head the beach will wear
away until the water will rush through
and an inlet be secured. think this
will cost about ten thousand dollars. and
not five as our correspondent said. !
do not see the necessity of buying
dynamite. Use the great force of water
instead. Now that the inlet is fact,
let us consider the advantages it would
bring, and what it would mean to the
people. The thing that will be the
greatest good to the people is what we
want. First. let us think Of the oyster
culture in the bays from Virginia to
Delaware Oysters are only planted
to advantage as far as Box Iron. There
are few further up, but they do not
amount to anything. These oysters are
brought from James river, and cost
from thirty to forty cents bushel
planted. The rocks are almost barren
of oysters, and those who tong from
Virginia to Box Iron depend on planters
for livelihood. The planters frequent
ly lose oysters on account of freshes from
the St. Martins river and creeks along
the main shore. have observed the
oyster culture in our bays for years and
find there is one good year in about
every seven. Now if the bays were
salted we could raise oysters. One
bushel of shells planted during the
spring, at cost of five cents and a
little work, will yield in the fall a
bushel of young oysters. Re-plant these
and in two years they will yield two,
perhaps three bushels, which will sell
for fifty cents a bushei. This is great
interest on the money invested. This
bay would also be an ideal place for
CLAIMS, for there are so many sand bars.
CLAIMS sell for four and five dollars a
thousand The fish business would also
be increased. The railroads would do
greater business. People would come
here to enjoy the cunning. for wild fowl
would be plentiful. The people who own
land on the bay side would find its
value equivalent to the ocean front, on
account of its oyster privileges. If the
Haman oyster bill passes. and our rep
resentatives use their influence and get
an inlet that will salt the bay the state
will get an enormous tax from the
Synepuxent and Isle of Wight bays.
Last year the state of Virginia received
fifty thousand dollars clear profit on
oyster taxes. | think it wise to pass
the law. Salt the bay and pass the
Haman oyster bill, and the results for
good will be surprising
A Citizen of Ocean City.