Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-10

city alone. their value reaching 81, 100000.
1t Is also interesting to note in connec-
ton with the New York taste for bivalves
that the annual scallop crop there was
estimated to be worth the round sum of
S2OooDO. while there were 5000 bushels
of clans. valued at nearly $4,000, also
consumed within the space of one year.
The shellfish industry of this country
covers vast areas Of submerged lands
along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
These tracts vary in width from one to
five miles or more. and, on account Of the
contour Of the land. comprise indenta-
tions of the shore line. Some idea of the
enormity of the industry can be gained
when it is stated that in Chesapeake bay
and its tributaries alone there are said
to be more than 600 acres well adapt
ed to the growing of oysters. Another
sign of its extent Is shown in the state
ment that the Rhode Island commission
ers Of fisheries reported that for one
year nearly Sl12,ou0 was owing that state
for the rental of less than 17,C0o acres
of shellfsh grounds, while the Virginia
commission of fisheries reported that the
auditor of public accounts had been paid
in year nearly STOOD in fish and
oyster revenues. And Virginia. too, is
said to have 4O0,Uo0 acres of oyster
grounds. of which however. only about
iIGS are considered as very desirable
for this purpose.
From New Jersey comes the report
that her oyster crop for one year was
valued at s., 100000. and represented
about 3,sDO,0UJ bushels This same state,
too has an annual output of about 625
90 bushels of clans. valued at six hun
dred odd thousand dollars, which output
represents 4" per cent of the total pro-
duction of the United States.
In a prepared table, showing the status
of the oyster industry in the largest
oyster-producing states for one year, Fir-
sinia leads with the quantity produced,
seven odd million bushels, but New
York leads with the value of her crop.
more than S6,ooo0oo, although she pro-
duced only little over one-third of what
Virginia did. the latter's crop only being
valued at three odd million dollars. OF
those states which are considered the
largest for producing oysters there are
nine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New
York. New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia,
Mississippi. Louisiana and Texas.
In connection with the oyster industry
mention must be made Of what has today
developed into one of its principal fea-
tures-canning oysters This industry was
inaugurated in this country about 49,,
near Baltimore, which was selected be-
cause OF its close proximity and easy ac-
cess to the extensive oyster beds of
Chesapeake bay. And for many years
more oysters were canned in Baltimore
than anywhere else, but, according to
recent statistics, some of the southern
states. especially Mississippi lead In this
industry.
1t Is estimated that there are about
seventy oyster-canning establishments in
existence today, with capital of more
than two and a half million dollars In
these esta hlishments thirty-two odd thou
sand people are employed, of which num-
Der more than $50 are children under
sixteen years of age. The total amount
Of money given in wages is, estimated
70 be nearly $55O,o0O The v3lue Of the