Evening journal., 1913-12-11
OYSTERS AND THEIR VALUE.

i years ago to dfuse geographic knowledge and to
stimulate and popuarize the study of geography, the
most inclusive OF Today the largest
scientific organization In the world. 1t has mem
bershp Of 2250OO It's members represent every city
and town in the United States. They also to be
found in every civilized country in the world. The
society," which has It's headquarters in Washington is
doing exceedingly important work. It publishes a
handsomely and profusely illustrated monthly maga-
zne conducts lecture course in the national capital
and equps and sends exploring expeditions Of its
own as well aids Independent expeditions by such
financial grants its funds will permit It is pure
ly atruistic and educational work. to which II has
added the OF bulletins Of geographic nforma-
ton. the end that the public at large may be kept
informed OF current scientific They promise
important informative and recreatve purpose
result of their widespread diffusion through the
columns Of the daily newspapers.
One of the first Of those bulletins is peculiar
to the people of the Delaware Maryland and vir-
gnia Peninsula Il relates to the oyster industry in
which the Delaware and the Chesapeake bays and their
tributaries have figured long so prominently.
The bulletin is based upon article written by Hugh
NJ. Smith, United states Commissioner Of Fisheries
on "rhe Worlds Most Valuable Water Crop The
distinguished writer shows that the annual output
oysters more than 100000 bushels and that they
have market value Of almost s25O0OOOo. The United
States produces ss per cent Of the quantity per
the value. and the Chesapeake bay leads ali
obei tDodi'o oi water III pIouuchoH. IN lne opinion
Of Mr. Smith, Delaware does not rank as one of the
leading oyster producing States. He includes in
the list however. New Jersey, which obtains many Of
It's oysters from the waters Of the Delaware bay.
Commissioner Smith in his article written for
the National Geographic Society, oysters are the
most valuable and extensively eaten of shelIfsh
Economically, they the important all cult-
waited water products In at least S5 countries oysters
support special fishery On the shores Of all tenn
perate and tropical aud seas oysters occur in
greater lesser abundance but the supply in the
North Atlantic exceeds that of all other combined
Not less than 10000 and women engaged in
the oyster dustry; and the capital invested in ves-
sells, boats apparatus lands ard cultural
lishments aggregates many million dollars.
AT least 100 species krown, with a rather wide
range in size, shape, habits, favor and food value
Oysters produce an immense number Of youn- order
to compensate for the heavy mortality tst occurs par
ticularly in the early months. After the oyster at
tans size that visible the unaded eye 1t is in
capable Of changing its position. This marked
contrast with the newly-born young, which a free
swimming creature floating about with tides and cur
rents OF the millions Of microscopic young liberated
by single full-grown oyster. only an exceedingly
small percentage to suitable bottom
form she'll and enter a that will terminate
the table in two to four years. All the young that
fall muddy soft sandy bottom, or on surfaces
that Shiny lost Oyster culturs therefore aims
primarily to the freeswimming yong which
" accompshes by sowing clean oyser-shells other
clutch which the "spat" can attach or by col
iectng the young tiles or brush ~aised above the
bottom or suspended between the surface md bottom
The cultivation Of oyoters is rade necessary by the
exhaustion OF the natural aeds; 1t is possible by
private ownership control Of oysterproducng bot
toms and IL is greatly facilitated by the peculiar
ceptibty Of oy9tsrs incre 5e and improvement by
artificial AT every in its the oyster
is attacked by horde of dangerous enemies. Before it
becomes attached the delicate fry extensively
consumed by adult oysters and various other she'll
fish. When it attains its shell. new set Of shehsh
enemies, provided with drills. begin their attacks and
extract the soft parts through minute holes made in
valves. II is remarkable that a weak creature like
the starfsh should be able to prey animal so
strongly fortified as an oyster Other enemies of the
grown oyster fishes with powerful jaws armed with
crushing teeth
In ANY consideration Of the worlds oyster industry
the United States necessarily receives first and most
prominent mention. The oyster is taken in every
except one the chief fishery product
in Is States and is the most extensively cultivated
of aquatic animals. The leading oyster
States Rhode Island Connecticut, New York New
Jersey. Maryland, Virginia and Louisiana, with vir-
gina Maryland and Connecticut leading in the order
named. The body of water that produces oy
than any other part of the world is the chesa
peake bay with output OF IL million bushels
valued at more than s425oooO. Oyster culture in tn,
United States consists in C) acquiring suitable sub
merged bottom. CD cleaning and preparing that bot
tom for the growth Of oysters. go sowing thereon
shells other material for the attachment and growt
Of young oysters, ( insuring the production larya
oysters by the proximity Of natural planted bed
of adult oysters. (5 protecting the oyster beds
enemies, CD transplarning the occasion require
to prevent oyercrowdng and TO facilitate growth AM
fattening and (D cullng and sorting for market.
The Federal Government does not hatch oysters ar
thcially and distribute them by the billion for tn
stocking Of public and private waters It does foo
fishes Il gives practical aid to the states and cooper
ates with them in determining the physical and bic
logical character of the oyster grounds in conduct
ing experimental and model planting operations in rec
ommending oyster legislation, and in giving dsiner
esed expert advice the various problems that aris
in the development and administration OF the oyste
fishery.
! -. ...r..n n1..LLr 1..r -.....-