THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE OYSTER. ' 9 



to four dollars per day. In fact, it may be safely estimated that about 

 10,000 men, directly or indirectly, make a living in the oyster-trade of 

 the two cities. Many of the ancestors of the wealthiest Knickerbocker 

 families were oystermen, and at the present day many a bluff, rugged- 

 looking man engaged in this business has a bank account that more 

 pretentious people, living in a brown-stone house, might well envy." 



American oysters are now being shipped to Europe by steamer. 

 The first ventures proved disastrous. They were shipped in bulk in 

 the vessel's hold. They " spoiled," that is, perished, doubtless from 

 the warmth and want of air, as oysters are often carried by sail-ves- 

 sels from the South to the North safely, although they may be longer 

 on the way than the steamer, and even carry larger quantities in 

 bulk. These vessels employed by the oystermen carry, according to 

 the vessel's capacity, from 1,800 to 2,800 tubs, a tub being a bushel 

 and a half. But, though oysters were at first lost in their transit by 

 steamer, they now go more safely, being put up in barrels, instead of 

 in bulk. And this business of oyster transportation is destined to 

 assume immense proportions ; hence the following from the World of 

 December 22, 187, may become an item in history: "N. B. Mulliner, 

 A. W. Mead, Oliver Charlick, and Miles Smith have formed a com- 

 pany for the shipment of oysters to the London market, and made 

 their first consignment during the past week from Freeport. It is pro- 

 posed to sell the oysters on commission." 



An experiment, the results of which, if successful, will be followed 

 by great consequences, is a recent attempt made to acclimatize the 

 New Jersey oyster in California. Joseph Ellsworth, a heavy operator 

 in this bivalve, who owns one of those floating establishments known 

 as scows, affairs of immensely greater importance than the name would 

 imply, made a very interesting venture last fall. He freighted a car 

 with the "seed" for San Francisco. The seed was obtained in New- 

 ark Bay, and 60 cents per bushel were given for it in the rough, that 

 is, as it adhered to shells, etc. The best and cleanest were selected, 

 averaging in size about that of the old copper cent. The cost of 

 this seed would be about $8 per bushel at its delivery in San Fran- 

 cisco. It is estimated that two years' growth will suffice for this 

 market, where they will be more easily suited on the question of size 

 than the people East. It is also expected that, after the spawning- 

 season is safely passed over, enough stock, or seed, will be had to 

 make future operations successful. Of course, the whole matter is, as 

 yet, an experiment. The native Californian oyster is a puny affair, 

 and it is to be feared that the Eastern oyster will degenerate in Pa- 

 cific waters. We shall see. Meanwhile the experimenter deserves 

 great praise for the energy shown in his bold venture. 



The Risks. It will be news to many to hear that the business of 

 the oyster-producer is one of great risk. All is not gain to these in- 

 dustrious people, for often capital is sunk in the waters that is never 



