Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-02-28
Friday, February, %, 1908.
TO MARYLAND-VIRGINIA OYSTER
DEALERS.

DEALERS.
That the Opportune time has come
for Maryland and Virginia oyster
dealers to get together and improve
market conditions there is no doubt.
Because of the reputed polluted con
dition of northern stock is largely
due the "slump" in demand and
prices. Whether this condition be
true or not, we do not here affirm.
Ii true, the Chesapeake should get
from under the ban and steer clear
of northern markets; if untrue, we
should do the same thing for the
same resson-sympathizing with our
northern friends because of the bad
advertisement, but looking out for
self protection. No laws, no assign
ments of seed grounds, ono nothing"
is now so Important to our dealers
as to get into the market with the
pure Chesapeake bay and Eastern
Shore stock and insist upon THEN
being labelled aud sold true to name
and nativity. The New York papers
as we'll as European papers coming
weekly to our desk recount the
dreadful condition of the eastern
oyster, aud Europe and the West are
fearfully curtailing their mastication
of the bivalve. We have felt, aud
will continue to increasingly feel, the
depression in the oyster market.
All along the coast, States south of
Maryland where pure oysters grow
are feeling the stringency, and it be-
hooves our dealers to at once organ
lie and take such steps as will we'll
advertise our stock and bring us out
of cover. Steps put on foot now,
systematically, mathematlcaIly and
business.like, will build trade for
the Chesapeake that will hold for
years to come and cannot be shaken.
We urge the oyster people to get to-
gether at once and "get busy" along
these lines.
Two articles on our first page bear
or this subject, and the following
from the Savannah (Ga.) News shows
that there is something doing, but
we would advise Maryland and Vir-
d. ginia dealers to resolve into an $3.50
citation of their own. Says the News:
Savannah oysters don't need defend
ers, but we will all be ready and will
ling to fight down the aspersion cast upon
oysters in general-that of scattering
baccilli-and join in scattering education
or that sort among people who need it. 1"
inns was the statement made yester-
day by Savannah oyster dealer in re-
gard to the national association, which
VIII probably be formed in defense of
the silent oyster. No official invitation
has been received for Savannah biyalve-
vendors to join in the movement. but
when it does come the response will re-
semble general advance.
In regard to the first meeting of ovs-
termen of the east coast, the New Yorl,
Telegraph has the following to saw:
The oyster is no longer defenseless
against the persistent attacks of tbooa
who say the bivalve is unhealthful and
even dangerous as an article of food M
Yesterday score of delegates from
the oyster dealers, shippers and plant
ers' associations along the Atlantic Coast
from Massachusetts to North Carolina
and on both shores of Long Island Sound |
met at the Ashland House and in secret
took the preliminary steps toward the
formation of national association which
it is expected will eventually have a
membership of Is, 900. all allied in some
way with the oyster industry.
The oystermen kept their doinps
secret, but it would appear from what
frightened clerks and pallid messenger
boys let drop when they got home that
the oyster has been attacked. libe,ed
villified, and that something must be
done. The oysters highest interests
have for some time been at stake. the
Lynn Haven has been indignant in his
lar, the Blue Point has fretted and
ehafed against the rocks. The Cane
Cod has been heard to murmur in his
watery home, and the Saddlerock hath
compiainedwith bitter tears that wrong,
irreparable wrong, has been done to her
fair fame and reputation.