Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1907-09-27
FISH AND OYSTER NOTES

sumably from earthquakes.
The ''R" month is on us, Reading,
Riting and Rithmetic. Why not Raw
oysters. too?- Richmond Journal.
State Schooner Pocomoke made a
number of arrests IN the upper Potomac
the past week. The steamer Kappa
hammock this week went to her as
sistance.
The Norfolk papers note the activity
of the States Oyster Navy. Some
twenty arrests were made this week in
the James river by the Commodore
Maury, the Greyhound, sloop Brad
shaw, and police launch. while the
Accomac on Tuesday lowed seven
boats into Portsmouth for violations in
the Elizabeth river.
Chairman Mcdonald Lee, of the
State Board of Fisheries, makes a
statement in which he positively denies
that the oyster interests of Virginia
are suffering on account of deficiency
of funds, or that the deficiency is one
half of what it is reputed to be. He
also calls attention to the fact that
this is not the first time in the nine
years existence of the Board that the
appropriation has been consumed be-
fore the end of the year. 1t should al
so be remembered that this has been
an exceptional year in many respects,
and that the navy itself had to be prac-
tically rehabilitated. We dare become
surety that so far as Mcdonald Lee has
been able to influence or control the
use of the appropriation, every dollar
has been put where it would do the
State of Virginia the most good. He
is honest, capable and careful and
thoroughly understands his business.
Petersburg Index-Appeal.
Hon. and Mrs. Bland Massie, of Mel
son county, are in the city, and will
leave today for the Jamestown Expo
sition. While at the seashore Mr..
Massie will attend a meeting of the
State Board of Fisheries, of which he is
member. Mr.. lie and Delegate
John R. Rev, Accomac, were
speaking last night OF the oyster laws
which impose tax on tongers for TAX
ing oysters from natural rocks. Mr..
Rev said the law did not prevent per-
sons from taking oysters from such
rocks with their hands, and Senator
Massie, by way of jest, raised a very
interesting point. He asked the Acco-
mac legislator if a mans hands might
not be tongs in contemplation of law,
especially where the law was silent as
to whether the tongs should be of iron,
metal or any specific material. The
point was greatly enjoyed by those
who were present in the group at the
time.-Times-Dispatch.
No one is happier just now than the
oyster fiend. For weeks he has been
smacking his lips in anticipation of the
bivalve's official season. Visions of big
fat primes, steaming stews and crisp
brown fried oysters have daily hoatad
before him, and he cast an impatient
glance at the oyster saloons which were
Frightening up for the opening. For
the last two days he has been living in
anticipation, and expects to start on
having his fill of the bivalves today.
when first shipments will have been
distributed. Among the oyster enthu-
siasts who patronize Seventh street
establishment is queer customer who
eats at least three dozen raw primes a
day. After satisfying his appetite the
man asks one of the walters to wrap uu
the shells for him. The first few times
he did this the waiter did not question
him, but finally curiosity got the better
of the waiter, and when the patron next
made the request the waiter asked. good.
naturally, 'What in the name of sense
do you do with the old oyster shells?"
why" replied the customer, II have
mania for queer furnishings, and USE
the shells to paper my room. Every
wall is shells from floor to ceiling.
There are spaces here and there which
are filled with pictures of the sea, sail
ing vessels. and so forth, and my cell
ing is almost covered with starfish
The floor of my room is carpeted will
tarpaulin, and have curtains of shil
rope. When / was boy followed tn,
sea, and / like to have things concern
ing it constantly around me. Pass tn,
horse radish please. Chicago Record
There is not little uncertainty a.
to what conditions will be found on the
natural rocks this year, although it i.
now known that seed oysters will mo-
be up to the standard. The uncertainty
as to the conditions on the natura
rocks is due to the fact that few if any
oysters have been taken off the rock.
this year on account of the strict watci
and police work done under the direc.
ton of the present State Board of Fish
cries. In the past the oyster pirates
have known all about the rocks and
when the season opened there was nc
doubt, but the pirates have been put
practically out of business by the eff
Gent work of the board, and as a re-
suit, there is uncertainty this year.
The inspectors, ever, say that the
season on the rocss win prove a gooc
one. The State Beard of Fisheries will
hold its next meeting here on Wednes-
day when a number of matters
of Importance will be taken up for con-
sideration. Speaking of the meeting
of the Board here this week and the
oyster situation in general, w. Nc
Donald Lee, the chairman of the Board,
in an interview said. at has been the