Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-05-14
SEED OYSTER PROBLEM.
how the Commission of Fisheries
Looks at II; and comments by
Hampton Paper.

4
With 100000 acres denominated
planting" ground by the Baylor Sur
vey, and less than a fourth of that
taken up by rentals, there is much ar
gument against breaking the Baylor
survey and leasing out the 23O, 600 ac-
res of natural rock or any productive
portion thereof. The friends of the
Baylor survey use this not without
effect. But there are two sides to the
question, which we may review dis
passionately and in fairness to all con-
cerned. Exclusive of the ocean side,
whose seed does not thrive anywhere
else, the limited seed area of Virginia
is far insufficient to supply the de-
mands of cur planters. Denuded an
nually for years, it cannot keep pace
with increasing demands. 1t is un-
reasonable to expect such a thing. If
the entire James was converted to
public seed producing "a thing imprac-
ticable because OF tenures already
granted) 1t would not satisfy the wants
of our numerous and increasing num-
Der Of planters. II leased it might be
made little more productive, but the
many would be Disseminated against
for the few who acquire it, the latter
building up close corporations in time.
This ultimate end is the hope of some.
and they are backed by means and in
fiuential papers. 1t would end agita-
ton and give the oyster officials rest,
but we do not believe any legislature
in the near future Is going to do SO
great wrong to the masses of Tidewa-
ter citizens. 1t may come in the end,
money and influence often deciding
the die, and many planters are resting
on their oars hoping for that time.
In fact, the encroachment on produc-
ing rocks and the hope of some day get
ting a slice of rich water bottom has
induced some to abandon less profita-
bic ground already. biding the time
of scramble for ground that re-seeds
itself without outlay. Others do not
care to take up any of the great amount
of planting ground not yet occupied.
necessarily having to improve it, when
they look forward to agitation letting
them into fields worth hundred times
more. This uncertainty has greatly
demoralized affairs, and accentuates
the misrepresentation of our oyster
conditions.
Editor.-We take the above from
the last report of our Commission on
Fisheries. We wish to take exceptions
to the charge here by Commissioner
Lee that the Breaking of the Baylor
Survey is being agitated by interests
backed by means and influential pa
pers." We have tried to be fair on
all questions that concern our great
oyster industry, and know from a per-
sonal canvass that many planters, and
some tongers, feel that there must be
some change in our oyster producing
policy. We were ardent supporters,
as some interests well know, for keep
ing this survey unbroken, but a can
did, careful, consideration of the whole
matter leads US to the conclusion that
it is best for the interests of ell that
the survey be broken, as the lines are
meaningless and the present condition,
a woeful lack of seed, necessitates a
change in our methods and total re-
casting of our oyster policies. We ac-
cord to our excellent Board honesty in
thus holding on to the survey, but we
do believe that under the present con-
ditions. unless the next Legislature
comes to the aid of this rapidly di-
minishing industry, the business is
doomed and men who have put their
last dollar in the business will go
into bankruptcy. We think it is time
that influential papers take up the
matter and give it candid investiga-
tion.-The Oysterman.