Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1919-03-28
STATE
CAPITAL

Conservation OF state's Resouress.;
In lta annual report to Governor
Harrington the Conservation Com
mission gives a detailed account Of
It's work during tie past year Owing
10 decrease IA the revenue caused
by war necessities the commission
has found It difficult to cover the
ground and its operations were ham
pered.
OF the oyster industry, the commits
sion says that while the number OF
persons engaged in taking oysters
from the natural beds was less In
1918 than in many years, the daily
average catch showed that the Ntpply
had increased. In The Potomac River
the supply has not only been greater.
but the oysters have been Of better
quality and larger than heretofore
The bars in the Chesapeake also
showed great improvement. This was
due to the proper enforcement Of the
Gull law and the belief is expressed
that there will be further Increase this
and next year.
On certain longing areas, where the
congestion has prevented proper
growth. the suggestion is made that
some method be employed to thin out
the oysters and at the same time
break up the rank beds and in a meas
nre cultivating them. AS tongs will
not break up and scatter the oysters.
it is suggested that the use Of hand
scrapers be legalized in certain areas.
Little progress has been made in
oyster culture. The report says
There has been a growing demand
from the more progressive lessees for
the privilege OF taking oysters from
their planted beds by the use OF dredse
and power boats. These lessees have
been particularly handicapped during
the period Of the war by their inability
TO secure tcngers TO take up their
oysters. as consequence Of which
they have been hindered in marketing
their crop and in some instances have
been entirely prevented from doing so.
On leased areas certain restricted
use OF hand sorape might be OF coa-
siderable value. The increased pro
ductlon from the natural rocks in
September and October, the months
when weather conditions usually pre-,
vent demand equal to tho supply,
would seem to make it greatly to the
advantage OF the tonger TO fortify him
self against loss occasioned by having
20 dispose Of oysters caught in such
months at very low prices. II he were
holding a small piece OF ground under
lease. he could deposit Ind plant the
catch throughout the period OF depres-
sion that prevails during these early
months. He would then have his oys-
ters available for an active market
which occurs annually through the
winter months when oystermen are I'M
able to work upon the natural rocks.
with regard to the states reserved
area, results obtained from oyster
planting have not met expectations,
but the evidence of growth Of oysters
transpIanted from overerowded bars
to these areas would seem to assure
better results from this work and war
rant continuance thereof
The enforcement Of the crab euil
law will. it is expected, result in an
ample supply of marketable crabs this
year The commission Is endeayoring
to have Virginia pass a law Ike that
in Maryland protecting the egg-bearing
or sponge crab throughout the year,
UntH sufficient revenue is provided
the commission will have to charge for
the stocking of private Ash ponds,
Legislation is needed which will pro
vide some means for the support Of
ash hatchery work Regret is ex-
pressed at the failure of the General
Assembly to adopt the schedule Of
licenses for commercial fishing, which
would have produced sufficient rev
enue to conduct the propagation Of
the various species of fish that hab-
itate the Chesapeake Bay and its trib-
utaries
Notice is served that the commits
sion proposes to enforce the law which
prohibits the discharge OF trade waste
end other polluting matters into the
waters OF the state. At the alcohol
plant at Curtis Bay ali waste is now
being treated. and is no longer oten-
sive. At other plants the discharge
of waste has been minimized and the
danger OF serious pollution averted
The Commission commends the
statewide game law passed by the last
Legislature, 1t says;
According TO the express require
ment of the new law. the funds derived
from licenses after paying the ex-
penges Of the Came Department are
IL he divided in proportion 10 the re-
anectiye contributions from the coun-
ties Contracts for tho purchase OF
$40 oCo worth Of game for restocking
purposes have already been made and
additional sums will be spent for feed
ing and protecting the States supply
Of game.
Commenting on the failure Of the
legislature to provide adequate rev
enue to carry on It's work, the Com
mission says
The time has come when the public
ct large should realize the Importance
OF the conservation of Maryland's nat
ural water resources. This line Of
worl. cannot be successfully conducted
unless the Comnissioa is provided
with adequate revenue This revenue
should logically come from the water
foods themselves and it should be
eauitabiy distributed among the yari-
Gus kinds OF water foods in the form
Of license fees and productivity taxes.