The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-07-23
BIGGER OYSTERS IS
AIM OF MARYLAND
State Conservation Commission
Says It Can Be Done by
Transplanting Culls. ~


most satisfactory conclusions reached
by the members Of the conservation
commission. as a result OF their two
weeks inspection trip. from which they
have Just returned. is that 1t is possible
to solve the small oyster problem In
this State by transplantiug and by q
strict enforcement Of the call law.
II Is freely admitted that because Of
the number OF small oysters that find
their way TO the local markets. Mary
land bivalves have not been bringing
the prices they should bring.
The Gull law was passed many years
ago to remedy this condition. but an
acknowledged laxity In its enforcement
has to a large extent defeated Its pur-
pose.
Members OF the conservation com
mission decline to discuss what has
happened In the past. but they are very
emphatic In saying that the Gull law Is
to be strictly enforced In the future.
Toward the end of August new deputy
commanders OF the oyster navy VIII Do
appointed. and they will be given TO
understand that undersize oysters must
now be allowed to 10 on the market
William II. Kiliian. one VI the com.
missioners. said that In the selecuon 81
the new deputy commanders men viii
be chosen who can be depended upon TO
stay on the Job.
No one will be named for such place
who deyotes the major portion Of his
time to some other matter. ihose VINO
refuse to stick to their work VIII be
dumped overheard.
Experiment Proves Success.
That the transplanting Of small oys-
ters can be made q success has been
amply demonstrated. An initial ex-
pertinent was made during the admin
istration of the late Gov. Austin
L. Crothers, when several thousand
bushels Of small oysters were taken
from beds I'm the upper end of the
Chesapeake Bay and carried to Cal
vert county waters, where after be-
ing scattered over depleted bars. they
increased approximately five times In
size.
A second experiment on 2 much
larger scale was afterward tried with
equally satisfactory results. Hence
the conservation commissions con.
clusion that transplantins Is the
The upper waters of the bay abound
in small oysters which never affair
anything like normal size. and tht
ters taken pi np and transported to bed,
where conditions are such that the,
will grow and become marketable.
Mr.. Killian Is Of the opinion tina,
not Only Will -
increased prices for Maryland oys
tiers, but that It will mean big In
crease in the States revenues
oysters brought to Maryland mark
cover inspection charges. Hence. 4
loo, 900 bushels of small oysters WI
increase under transplanting to 300,
| 900: that is, IL they Will Increase u
ing Increase in the total tax that will
have to be paid on them.
Interstate Agreement Satisfactory.
As previously stated. the commission
ers were much pleased with the agree
ment entered into between them and tn
Virginia authorities for the enforcement
OF the concurrent legislation enacted b.
! the two States for the protection o
oysters in the Potomac river.
They propose now TO nave anotne
deputy commanders of both states, As
signed to duty in the Potomac. Will b
asked to be present and Will be givel
explicit instructions as to what the!
will be expected to do.
| Mr.. Killian spoke In q not too cheer
full manner relative to the crab Eitua
ton. He said that crabs are scarce an,
| suggested that possibly an overcatcl
and the taking of large numbers o
egg bearing females may be responsible
passed laws to protect female crabs
and It is possible that suggestions 10
further protecting the industry ma
come as result Of investigations be
ing made by scientists connected wit
the United States Government.
| Govrnment scientists also are maxim
a study Of the oyster industry. Tw
| men have been assigned permanently I
the work and they will investigate con
ditions all along the Atlantic seaboart
The proba abilities are that they wi
begin their labors in Long Islam
waters; but In time they will reach tn
Chesapeake Bay. when they are expect
ed to discover many things that will b
helpful to local oystermen and thos
who are endeavoring to conserve tn
States supply.