Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-10-01
VIRGINIA'S OYSTER SUPPLY
tDanville Register.l

During all Of last winter certain
newspapers. and one of large circula-
ton in this State, we regret to have
to add. were busy proclaiming q scar
city Of Virginia oysters and publishing
ominous prophecies of the depletion of
the Virginia natural oyster beds. The
sole ground for such pessimistic stories
was scanity of the oyster in one little
ssction Of the vast area in this States
waters. Nevertheless this same paper
persisted in its lamentations and did all
1t could tocreate and justify widespread
publications that the Virginia oyster
supply was failure, The effect of
this injurious agitation and misrepre-
tation of conditions Is clearly stated by
Hon. w. Mcdonald Lee. Commissioner
of Fisheries for Virginia.
For two seasons now particularly the
last one) the oyster business has seen
great depression. This was not owing
to any scarcity of the output, but to
lack Of market. We lost our trade last
winter from two potent causes-viz.,
the scare over polluted oysters, and the
wide publicity of scarcity on the Vir-
ginia bottoms.
Neither of these had any foundation
in fact whatever. so far as Virginia was
concerned. There is none purer Oh bet
ter on the A tlantic coast than the Vir-
ginia bivalves. This has recently been
demonstrated in partial examinations
by the United States authorities and
supplemented by our own State Health
Commission.
Exclusive Of the seed beds of the
James (only one-twentieth of our pro-
dunctive public bottoms, to say nothing
of the plant beds,) there was no de-
terioration or scarcity of oysters in
Virginia. On the contrary, last sea-
son found us with more marketable
stock, and in prime condition, than for
ten years past. Notwithstanding this
the press of the North and: West herald
ed dearth Of oysters in Virginia, and
when our dealers started to place their
orders in those sections of the Union
and Canada they We're met with wonder
that there were any oysters here to sell
and told that because of this report con-
tracts had already been made with
New York, Connecticut and other
Eastern States.''
In view of the injurious reports cir
culated last season and in order to
| fOraetalI apd 1iccrad;f tnax.o -. f,,&,,--
the commissioner further says in his
public statement as to oyster condi.
tions in Virginia for the present season:
To-day we have more oysters than
we have had any season for the past
fifteen or twenty years-due to Ma
lures bounty. good policing and un-
sold stock. This is a positive condi-
tion, and no idle speculation. The
planters are overstocked. and 80 Der
cent. of our rocks are in better condi-
tion than for many years. Examina-
tions of rocks in most parts of the State
have been made by the oyster officials,
! and the testimony of those living in the
vicinities accord with the foregoing
statement as to good condition."
The high character and intelligence
of the commissioner and his thorough
familiarity with the subject gives
weight to his statement. for which hs
has no other motive than a love oi
truth and desire TO conserve the in
terests of Virginia oystermen. TIL,
clear and explicit statement printed
above ought to prevent repetition O.
publications made in this State las
year which appar, ntly had for thei
purpose the opening to lease b,
planters of valuable natural oyste
beds now the property of the public
Public journals which are expected L
promote and conserve public interest
are prostituting their power when the,
utilize il for the promotion of privat
interests and deserve the seyerest con
demnation when it is clear that this i
their purpose.