The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-03-23

suit in the building up and perpetual
ton OF these natural resources OF the
sea. Another law that was passed
relates to the cultivation Of the oys-
ter. and that such q law is necessary
is strikingly indicated by the figures
relating to the production of oysters
from the natural oyster rocks. IN
1898 this amounted to 2,45O,OOO
bushels; since that time the number
taken every ear has steadily de-
creased until during the past year, 1t
was only approximately 100000 bush
els. On account Of the number OF
O4stermen who are taking oysters
from the natural rocks by hard tong
ing and dredging, the reproduction OF
he oyster can hardly keep pace with
the catch.
There is one way by which this can
be remedied, and that is by the cult
walton of the oyster, and this is the
most urgent problem now confront
ing the oyster industry. 1t has been
proved through the investigation OF
the geological survey that 1t. is posi-
bic and profitable to cultivate oysters
over large areas of the bottom OF
Pamlico Sound. where at the present
time there are no natural rocks what
ever. Such planting and cultivation
of the oyster would mean in the END
an increase in the area Of the natural
| rocks and thus an increase In the
FL NUMBER Oh oysters. IL 4 Ii1Sh" :"
: more thorough and rigid protection OF
the natural rock, and, by proper leg
, islation, there will be no chance What
ever of any natural oyster rock being
/ taken up by leasing.
: To accomplish his result, 1t was
necessary thae certain legislation be
passed that would not only protect
the cultivator in this work. but also
e protect the public FISHERMAN and the
$ natural oyster rock. This end. we
believe. has been accomplished by the
passage OF the oyster cultivation Dlil'
4 Improved Roads.
' One other act that was passed by
the General Assembly that Will be OF
very material assistance in the con-
servatiOn and utilization of our nat
ural resources is the one 20 rOmOt
land stimulate the construction Of i'm
| proved roads in North Carolina AS
$ stated il the act, the object and pur-
pose Of this appropriation shall be to
q enable the North Carolina Geological
Board to advise with township and
u county authorities in the building and
, Improvement OF the public roads, by
- sending to the township or county q
competent rOad engineer, who Will as
sist them in locating their improved
roads, advise them as to the best road
!" to build and how to build it, and also
give advice relating to the best Kind
of bridge to be built in connection with
'e the improvement Of any road. The
is Geological Board, through the State
i geOlOgiSt, may make inquiries in re-
" gard to systems of road building and
to management throughout the United
Is States, and make Investigations and
l. experiments in regard to the best
er methods of road materials; and shall
re disseminate such knowledge by lee
&c lures to be given in the various coun-
c. ties and by preparing, publishing ant
rs distributing bulletins and reports or
IN the subject Of road Improvement, an(
l. shall also gather and tabulate infor.
er nation and statistics on road building
Of in North Carolina and disseminate the
Il, same throughout the State.
In order to carry out the provision:
of this law the geological and econOrn.
i, ic survey are trying to make arrange
- mentS SO as to be ah1" TO send to ca II
. county or township that makes a re
? quest for assistance in the location O
= their public roads and for advice re
- garding the best road to build, q com
petent engineer to assist them in sucf
~ work. 1t is the desire of the geOlOgi
- cal board to secure the services o
~ Mr.. ". T.. Spoon to take up this work
:. Mr.. Spoon is q graduate of the Uni
versity of North Carolina and Is, on
~ of the best road engineers in the coun
Try. he has been employed by tn
- office Of public roads OF the Unite,
80 States Department of Agriculture 70
II the past twelve or fifteen years q
-. road engineer. We shall be mos
a fortunate if we secure Mr.. Spoons ser
~ vices. We believe that by being abb
- to give to the country or township
through Mr.. Spoon. the assistance de
sired that we will be able to say
them considerable money: and ais
~ stimulate other townships and coun
:, ties to take III the construction o
~ improved roads. We also believe tina
:" the construction Of these improve
y roads is absolutely necessary if tn
State is to advance industrially TO tn
extent that it's position and abundan
~ natural warrant that