The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-09-26
OYSTER CROP DISCOURAGING
 EVERYWHERE
LIGHT SET IS REPORTED IN
 CONNECTICUTWATERS
Few Boats Working on the Nat IIPaI Beds Where No Set Worth Mentioning Has
 Been Found.

disappointed over the failure of the set this season In the spring there was every indication of a big crop this year. The planters prepared to take advantage of this and planted many thousand bushels of shells on their submarine fields which was. to. catch Ehe spawn and later develop into full grown oysters ready for the market Anxious watchers in this section were unable to discover anything which would encourage them during the month of August, which is usually the period in which the oysters discharge their spawn. Early in the season the oysters taken from the bottom were hlled with spawn and what became of st is mystery which the men who have money invested in the business would like to have solved.
 Early in the present month, how ever, a light set began to show itself on the cultivated beds in this vicinity and also on the big natural bed off .lBridg dgeport harbor. It was not heavy enough to cause any particular jubila- ton, but there is enough of it, if it can be saved, to provide the necessary stock for development during the next two or three years and to make mar Eetable stock to fill orders This late eet has grown very fast and it is hoped that it will be strong enough. before winter sets in to weather the storms and turn out all right next year when f1t will be removed and transplanted in other waters Planters here have con- siderable stock on hand to provide for tfhe next few years, but it is necessary Ito look ahead at least three years if an oysterman hopes to remain in the sbusiness-
 This late set which has recently ap- tpeared Is confined to the vicinity of Bridgeport. It extends from Penfeld reef to Stratford Point and is heaviest directly opposite the entrance to Bridgeport harbor, diminishing in ev- lery direction until there is nothing left
 The experience of oysterrr1gn- east of New Haven is in direct opposition to that of the growers here At East Haven, Branford and Stony Creek there was a light August set, but nothing has appeared later to give the growers encouragement
 Reports from Rhode Island tell of a light set, but unusual number of star fish which threaten to destroy the iset entirely before it gets large enough ito allow the pests to be removed The FConnecticut beds are relied upon to furnish stock for development in fRhode Island waters, but when there is a failure here there is usually con siderable set in those waters which help out the situation This year there lis no such prospect
 That class of oyster1nen known as p'natura1 growthers'' have about given Fup hope for the continuation of the business. Only about 50 boats are at fzFork on the natural bed of Bridgeport iharbor- In some previous years as thigh as 200 boats have been engaged in taking seed from this bed. Many sboatmen who had begun preparations ito engage in the bushes abandoned their intention when no set was found on this bed Those who are now at Owrk are taking only two or three old efr f4e- Is v of ST and weak that it cannot live on deck for any length of time The larger oysters bring 50 cents per bushel and there is a ready market for it with Island who plant it inm ediate1y af- ter it is bought About 50 bushels a day is the average catch of sthe ordi- mary boat Greenpoint is the center about which active buyers congregate and plant their purchases. Ellsworth Bros. have a boat here buying seed
 which is taken to the westward and planted in New York waters
 The stock now developing for mar 51et on the cultivated beds is above the average in quality. The planters have plenty for the market this fall and they are only concerned for the fu- fture Stock taken from the beds re- gently is fat and healthy with a, fine appearance such as healthy specimens only can have
 One ef the oldest natural groWtE yoystermen in this section said yeeter- day: we have been fighting fol Fyears to save the natural bed for the public a large, but there is not enough
 in it to encourage us to keep up the
 struggle I for one am ready to lei
 the big companies come in and planf the natural beds if they want to- We cannot afford to keep up our boats and tackle and get set only once in sew era1 years" Others, however, propose
 to maintain the present status ana
 hold the natural beds for any residen who cares to work there There will always be some oysters there and they believe that those who care to dredgt for them should be allowed the priyi-
 1ege-