Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-09-17

what is best 10 be done, best for tho
planter and the tongcr, and be in read
mess to advance proper legislation and
prevent. if possible. injurious laws. In
the haste Of meeting of the general
assembly radical laws might be passed.
Norfolk Landmark. Sept. 81
The oyster crop for the season of
lsOS- W will be the largest and finest
that Virginia has had in twenty years.
furthermore. the Strike" during the
summer has been something phenome-
nal, thus ensuring large crops for sew
erai seasons TO come" said Chairman
W. Mcdonald Lee, of the State Fisher
les Commission, who with Secretary S.
wilkins Matthews, was in the city yes
terday. Messrs. Lee and Matthews
came down from Richmond where, after
meeting of the commission at New
port News, they had conference with
the attorney-general.
The indications for a prosperous sea-
son for all engaged in the oyster in
dustry were never better in its history
than at the present time, Chairman Lee
said. Various causes were cited for
this state Of affairs. In the first place.
Mr.. Lee says that the return of normal
conditions in other branches of trade
will have its circulation among the peo-
pie generally, and that consequently
there viii be greater demand for
what are by many considered luxuries.
among which Mr.. Lee numbers the
oyster.
Another factor which will have its
effect in stimulating the demand for
oysters is, in the opinion of Mr.. Lee.
the prevailing high price of other food
stuffs. Oysters, at 81 gallon, he as
serts, are cheaper than most of the
foods which make up the menu for the
family table of the ordinary citizen.
One OF the reasons why Virginia oys-
ters are going to be more in demand this
season than they were last year is that
Underwater dealers have booked large
standing orders from dealers in the Mid
eWest and South. Last year. Just prior
to the beginning of the oyster season.
dealers In these sections of the country
were informed that the oyster crop in
Virginia was failure. Consequently.
they gave their orders to New England
growers and planters.
As a matter of fact there was no
scarcity of oysters in Virginia last
year. But the western and southern
dealers didn't know this until after thev
had made arrangements for their sup
ply. Taking advantage of the exper-
fence gained last year, the Tidewater
shippers and growers have acquainted
their western and southern customers
with the fact that they can supply anv
demand that may be made, and will.
therefore, benefit accordingly.
What is true of the Virginia oyster
crop this year is also true Of the Mary
land output. According to Chairman
Lee. this will prove no drawback TO the
Virginia growers and dealers. IL will
he says, have tendency tn reduce the
number Of poachers. because there will
DC no heeo Tor people OF this class to
leave the waters of their respective
States.
Regarding the work of the oyster DO
lice. Chairman Lee said it gratified him
extremely TO be able to state that there
had hardly been a single violation of The
law in the waters of Virginia this wear
we have collected no fines," he said.
Tor the simple reason that there have
been no violators of the law taken into
custody"
Continuing. Mr.. Lee said that oyster
piracy seems to have become a thing
OF the past. II am very glad such a
condition of things exists" he said.
because 1t has given the commission
time To devote to the cultivation of the
oyster on scientific basis. Instead of
arresting violators of the law. the com
mission has been able to study the best
methods of increasing both the quantity
and quality of the oysters and thus re-
one of the States most inn
portant industries. which for a time WAS
threatened with destruction