Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1908-02-20
VALUABLE TREATISE.
DR.. R. E. Cocker, One Time
of our Graded School
Faculty the Author.
Tire Oyster Interest and Possibilities
ard Probabilities Admirably and
ForcefuIIV Presented.

There has recently been issued by
the North Carolina Geological n
Economic Survey a bulletin giving the
results of experiments that have been
carried on for the past four years re-
Iating tos Oyster Culture in Pamlico
Sound, North Carolina, by DIR. R. E.
Cocker. It can be no exaggeration to
state that the most urgent problem
confronting North Carolina in relation
to the development of her fisheries is
that of the building up of the industry
of oyster culture. There are immense
areas of bottom in Pamlic Sound and
the coves and bays tributary to it that
are covered by water of a density suit
able for the growth of oysters. In This
sand there are large areas of natural
rocks. many of which yield oysters of
most excellent quality. Other large
areas which ave practically the same
conditions that characterize those of
the natural rock are practically bar
rem of oysters. The experiments con-
Quoted have been with the idea in view
of determining definitely whether these
barren areas could be adapted to the
cultivation of the oyster. There were
many questions to be taken up and an
swered such as:
l.. L. the character Of the bottom of
the various parts OF the Sound favor
able to the growth of oysters, for 1t
may be found that the bottom is SO
soft that it will not support the weight
, Of a she'll; OF it may be of such consis-
, tency as to prevent the oyster from
completely ''mudding," but still will
allow it to settle on the bottom and
thus in Its growth one dimension will
> again, the bottom may be Of sand OF
such a nature that the action of waves
: and currents will cause SANDING"
The Sound does present a wide variety
Of bottoms, many portions of which
are suitable for the planting of oysters,
if other conditions are favorable.
5 2. If shells and oysters are planted
on these bottoms, will b tides and
currents bring a suitable amount Of
cultch to be deposited on the shells?
! 3. Will the water be Of the right
density and contain 8 sufficient amount
OF food tor the growth Of the oysters?
For the portions of Pam.lico Sound
that have been tested, these questions
can be answered satisfactorily, but OF
course do not answer for the whole OF
Pamlico Sound.
t Experimental plants have been
} made in five or six distinct portions OF
b Sound, as at the Harbor Island re-
gien including Experimental plants on
Harbor Island and at Chain Shot
IShoal; those of Wyesocking Bay on
the western shore of Pamlico Sound
those OF Pains Bay on the north shore,
all these being in the bays and ooves
but not of-shOre in Pamlico Sound. A
number of plants, however, were made
ofsshore In Pamlico Sound, as those
at Cunning Harbor, Long shoal
and Blight OF Royal Shoal. These
plants CAV q variety of bottoms as
we'll as a great variety Of conditions
relating to tides and currents, food,
Icultch, etc. These plants have been
examined and tested for nearly four
JOoAo 0Ao OhO II buu OaLa
obtained nave been published In the
bulletin referred to. The experiment.
al plants have beer successful during
the four years that these have been
made and to some extent cultivated
and indicate that there are large areas
in Pamlico Sound that are suitable for
the cultivation of the oyster and that
it can be cultivated profitably. The
methods employed in making the
paintings have been described in the
greatest detail in order that the results
obtained may be probably used by
those who wish te take up the cultiva-
ton of the oyster.
It is hoped and expected that this re-
port Twill be the means of awakening
new interest in oyster culture in North
Carolina and result in large areas OF
the bottom of Pamlico Sound being en-
tered for this purpose. 1t is, however,
necessary that the cultivator of the
oyster be given an incontestable title
to the bottom upon which he wishes to
cultivate the oyster. Certain legisla-
ton is necessary to insure such a title
and it is to be hoped that at the legis-
ture of 1909 such laws can be enacted
as will give those who desire to Guilt
vate the oyster IN incontestable title to
any grant for oyster bottoms that he
may wish to take up. Suggestions for
such, legislation have been made after
careful consideration of the conditions
existing in North Carolina and it is be-
lieved hat if a bill is framed embody.