Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1919-05-16

provements are being made by all
oystermen, but their grounds require
time 10 put in shape.
Among many of the big oystermen
there is feeling that the industry
would be in better condition if more
land was under cultivation and the
supply of marketable oysters was
larger. The price now is SO high,
Oystermen claim, that the consump-
ton is falling off. We're it possible
to reduce prices the market could be
extended to take care of the extra
supply that would be available.
The big oyster reserve at Oakland
sive and best improved holding of the
state. Between IL and 13 acres are
diked and the oysters are protected
against all climatic changes. At
Clifton, on Hood canal. the state has
a reserve of almost the same size as
that at Oakland bay, which has been
protected by diking system. Work
is to be started Immediately on the
extension of the Clifton reserve dix
ing system.
Work of improving the Oakland
bay reserve was commenced in 1913,
when there was a shortage of seed
oysters. Now, six years later, the
state is in position to show surplus
of seed oysters.
The work of improving oyster beds
begins with hardening the ground so
that the oysters will remain on the
surface. In soft ground they sink
into the mud and are smothered.
Around the oyster beds a system
of concrete walls is built, the ground
being divided into sections so that
each can be handled separately. Gates
are provided in the concrete walls
adjacent to bitches that run through
the beds. When the tide is full the
oyster beds are covered with water
naturally, but before the work of
diking began the oyster beds we're ex
posed at low tide.
Under the new system the gates are
closed and when the tide recedes
about six inches of water Is retained
inside the bikes and over the growing
oysters.
The protection OF this water in
sures the oysters against injury by
heat from the summer sun or from
frost uring the winter. When neces-
sity requires getting at the oysters,
the gates can be opened at low tide
and the ground is exposed.
Before the diking work began oys-
termen and the state frequently lost
heavily during cold winter nights
when Q long run-out of the tide left
the oysters exposed too long. There
is little or no loss under the diking
system at the Oakland bay reserve.
This year It was demonstrated that
about one sack in six Of seed oysters
was composed Of oysters which will
be ready for the market this fall. The
others will have to be held about two
years. As the state sold the seed oys-
tiers at 81 sack the oyster growers
will recoup q big part Of their outlay
by the sale of the larger oysters later
in the year.
When the state begins marketing
seed to the oystermen. scows OF the
buyers are sent to the reserve. Loca-
.tions for each scow are marked by the
deputies on the ground. At low tide
the gates are opened and the ground
exposed. Then the oysters are raked
into piles and later shoveled onto the
,scows for transshipment to the beds
of private owners.
All the oystermen who would pro-
cure supply from Oakland bay have
been sold all the seed oysters they can
handle.
Work of gathering up seed oysters
from the Clifton and Oyster bay re-
serves started last Monday. At Cliff
ton It is expected many oyster grow
ers from Samish flats and other lower
Sound points will be supplied. but
advance inquiries indicate there will
be a surplus Of state-owned seed.