OYSTER CULTURE IN AMERICA. 787 



. . . . At an early stage in the investigation, it 

 was discovered that the means at the disposal of the State 

 were entirely inadequate to the accomplishment of the 

 desired ends. But a small sum of money was available ; 

 the State possessed neither vessels, boats, instruments, nor 

 observers skilled in the methods of hydrographic surveying. 

 The instruction of assistants would require considerable 

 time ; the improvisation of material, a large amount of 

 money. Neither could be done in time to afford any 

 information for the use of the Legislature, the principal 

 object of the investigation. A superficial examination of 

 the waters of the State had indicated that not only were 

 considerable areas already occupied by oysters, but that in 

 all probability an enormous additional area was suitable for 

 the cultivation of the most valuable of American sea- 

 products. 



The continued increase in the demand for oysters all 

 over the country ; the continued diminution in the supply 

 from the oyster-growing localities, together with the rapid 

 rise in prices during the past ten years, showed that an 

 increase of the productive area was not only desirable, but 

 would prove a great benefit to the people of the country at 

 large. The foregoing facts were presented to the Superin- 

 tendent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, and a request 

 was made for assistance in prosecuting the work. 



The request was granted, and the schooner Scoresby 

 and an ordinary hydrographic party detailed to work in co- 

 operation with the authorities of the State. 



. . . . To accomplish the results (of the instruc- 

 tions and investigation) with the least expenditure of time, 

 labour, and money, required constant care and forethought. 

 Work would be suspended in the sheltered localities, when- 

 ever a chance offered to proceed with the investigation of 



