Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-02-05
MARYLAND MARKET
ALSO PARALYZED.
Cambridge Recorder ]

lCambr1dge kecoruer.
Not in many years has there existed
such condition in the oyster business
as now confronts those persons engaged
in any manner in the business. The
years 1906 and 1907 were both excellent
ones, and the oystermen and oyster
packers made considerable money, so
much, it seemed to those outside the
business, that number of new packers
started into business. while the old ones
made preparations to increase their
business. believing that with such an
increase there would be corresponding
increase in the profits. The profits, it
is claimed, thus far have, however, this
year failed to materialize.
Oysters are lower in the markets than
they have been for number of years,
and strange as it may seem. not only is
it true that they are so low as to make
it impossible for the oystermen or the
packer to make anything. but this con-
dition now exists after the working
of the Haman Oyster Bill, which it was
claimed by its advocates, some of whom
live in Dorchester county, would pro-
duce an abundance of oysters and enable
everybody connected with the industry
to become fabulously wealthy. Now,
after the State has expended thousands
of dollars, the exact amount of which
is unknown, the industry is found to be
in paralyzed condition because of the
too great supply of oysters; and also it
is claimed by some of those engaged in
the business because very many of the
best oysters in the State are run out
of it to New Jersey, Delaware. Long
Island Sound, Virginia and other places
to furnish competition to our own local
oysters. In this connection it may be
stated that those who are buying oysters
for seed purposes use only the very
best, as result of which the local oys-
terman has to take the leavings.
1t is interesting to hear our oystermer
discuss the ''Oyster situation as it is to-
day." They all agree that our Virginia
loysters were never in better condition
or the flavor more to suit the taste, but
why there isn't market for one bushe
of better oysters for less money, wher,
there was market for two bushels be
fore this season is the question the,
have different ideas about. One promi
nent oyster dealer here says 'That s.
much attention has been given to tn
culture of oysters in some of tn
! Northern States and some of the othe
, Southern States, and they have been S
' successful that they not only have a.
; they need, but they can put bette
! oysters for less money in Philadelphia
Baltimore and Washington than on
! oystermen can, and he don't think tn
r present situation will pass as the de,
before the rays of the rising sun, but
has come to stay and that our oyster
will never be as much in demand as the
. have been, or bring again the none
y that once they did" Another oyste
n dealer, with both large experience an
o large oysters, says that" little wor
8 and small pay knock the life out of n
# business as it does out of the oystt
o business That for thelast nine month
It the working people Throughout I'll
e Union) have had to cut out and this hi
, caused IN" dull market and low pric
= He is bright and cheerful, says I'll
u clouds will soon pass and the sun shir
le again. While he waits his oysters al
,r growing. He expects the demand to |
,f brisk and the price good by the end
this year, and he always expects goS
al Virginia oysters to bring living price.
l-Westmoreland Corr. N. N. News.