The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-23
MUCH REVEN u E
LOST TO STATE
Natural Rock More Profitable,
Large Output in James
Rivcr-Prices Better and
Conditions Heraldcd as
More Satisfactory All
Over State.

before long be a matter of history, IN
the opinion OF the State Commission
of Fisheries expressed in its annual
report 70 Governor Mann. 4 gradual
decline in the industry ia made evident
by the steady and extensive reduction
Of license revenue collected by the state
from planters. which In itself presents
a problem with which the General
Assembly must cope at no distant
day.
Within one year. or since the last
report. the revenue from planting
grounds rented from the State has
shown a decrease OF 10 per cent. or from
SIS 200 10 s43i22 This shows that many
acfcs have been given UP. evidently
because II is no longer profitable 20
operate them.
This does rot mean a decline IN the
oyster industry in general. for the
yscld this season II large and prices
arc more satisfactory than for seTcfai
years In addition, license returns
from the tongers show no appreciable
difference FROM the preceding two
years
Planting Improbable.
The dirninution OF planting Is ex-
plaiued by the commission as resulting
from the increase OF production from the
natural rock which IL free TO the cin.
zens OF Virginia he large ana
public rocks says the report. 10
some extent caused prices 10 decline.
The planter and shucker find II cheaper
and easier 20 get their marketable
product direct and without second
handling As result where there ls
abundant and sufficient natural supply.
cultivation dwindIes. ground leases are
surrendered and the tax return on that
item is falling rapidly--and has been for
several years past On the other hand.
tho longer who was once exceedingly
numerous tut fell to low estate during
"A period when the natural beds were
largely depleted. is beginning TO return
TO his frrt calling.
As "A summary. the commission con
GUIDES that IN planting there IL TO be
found rdiscourageinent year bs year.
while ia the matter of pubic workers the
prospects are very gratifying
This situation presents a serious prop
ssitfon TO the State. large part OF
the revenues from the fish and oyster
industry comes from renting oyster
planting 9rounds--as "A matter OF fact,
moro. than half. OF the 81 81 col
tecfed during the past year for the
state. 81. fes came from renting grounds
for the cultivation OF oystei5- ne
duction in planting means cutting
down this revenue, and u the 'Ifne
comes. as predicted by the cornnie-
sion. when the occupation of the planter
sill be, gone. the Legislature VIII De
Obliged 20 take some action
Get Money Elsewhere.
Discussing this feature. the report
of Commissioner " Mcdonald Lee
and his associates SAYS: Should the
conditions come TO pass that pow seem
Imminent. wherein such growth VIII
be fostered and cropped from the pub
Uc areas that planting and cuitfvating
will be pretty well abandoned. the
state. if IL demands better showing IN
license returns. will have TO cast about
for OF her methods OF taxing tne branches
of the industry. As II now appears.
the gradually diminishing areas under
lease -<ill continue to decline while.
with wise administration. The natural
growth will be all that the demand OF
the market will require. WITHOUT a
good supply OF the natural growth IN
the Chesapeake and its tributaries.
almost entire counties in Virginia and
MARYLAND would suffer great business
depression aud lose much of their pop
ulation.'
Except in AfohJack Bay. York River
and the seaside conditions in Virginia
are held 70 be satisfactory. Even IN
Underwater. the greatest abundance OF
fne aud heaithful oysters may be found'
according TO the report. marked IN
crease has been shown during the past
three or four years
Resides prices this season have show
a good advance It IL becoming ap-
parent that satisfactory figures VIII
continue during the winter. making the
people engaged in the industry better
satisfied with the outlook.
situation in the James,
Periodically the James says the
report as do all hcadwater streams.
presents freshets, mud and other
phases inimical to the propagation ana
growth of the oyster. Every tnird
wear or so. and sometimes two years in
succession. tins condition prevails ~
occurred two years ago. and again more
seriously last spring. not only on tne
James. but also on the Potomac ana
in Maryland rivers and the upper Cbes-
apcake Bay. Oysters died and spawn
failed to take hold. These things are
beyond the control OF man. and are
FAR moro vital to the seed grounds than
arc the heTalded depredations.
The output OF the James this present
year was much greater than for years
past. There being no regulation as 10
the size Of oysters to be taken in the
upper James. the history Of this river
has been that boats from other sections
of the state rush there tho first fcsS
weeks OF the season. clean u up and
dccamp for other places where q cuil
law prevails and will furnish work
through the remainder OF the season.
The pact season and the present 80 far
have seen . moderate influx Of outside
tongcrs. but they have not decanlpco
as in previous wears. Oysters have been
found in abundance. so much. 80 that
accd oysters sold from y 20 Is cents =
husbcI In previous years 30 and .
cents were prevailing pricee.
Loss from Food Scsrcs.
Discussing prices and food scarcs.
Commissioner Lee says
For more than ave years now the
natural product has been low In price.
to-day selling for onc-haif and Ices than
ave years ago The pure food agitation
and the scare about polluted oysters.
which should never have applied 20
Virginia oysters. has cost the workers In
the state not less than b'@."o year
Cor nvr or sfx years fev years ago. oy
actual Investigation. Virginia oyster
5~ople Loot - oro 90 IN one season by the
slump which caused % per cent o. our
plant stock 20 be carried over some