276 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



building their sand houses over the little oysters the oysters are smothered and 

 poisoned by the sulphureted hydrogen thus generated. 



The drill has been long found in our harbors and rivers, but for the last few years 

 it has become much more plenty in the deep water of the Sound; they destroy vast 

 quantities of oysters by boring a minute hole, about as large as a needle, in the upper 

 valve of the oyster. The invention of some appliance for catching the drills is very 

 desirable. I estimate the damage they cause at over $1,000,000 annually. 



The periwinkle is another persistent enemy, but is more destructive to the older 

 oysters, while the others mentioned work faster among the younger ones. 



Occasionally vast quantities of oysters are destroyed by storms; this is caused by 

 the agitation of the water when the wind is in such a direction and of such velocity 

 as to cause a heavy sea. During the past August the damage by a heavy gale to 

 the oyster industry has been estimated by some authorities at $3,000,000. At that 

 time the wind reached a velocity of 53 miles an hour, and undoubtedly a large amount 

 of damage was occasioned, but in my opinion the above estimate of loss was much 

 too high. 



For catching oysters from the farms steamers are now mostly employed. Pre- 

 vious to the deep-water cultivation oysters had been gathered by hand power, with 

 rakes, tongs, and dredges. 



In 1878, when I commenced to use the first oyster steamer owned in New Haven, it 

 was said that steam could not be used to advantage in this industry, and its expense 

 would consume more than the profits of the business. 



There are now 68 steamers employed, one of which can take up 2,000 bushels of 

 oysters in a day (more than 50 men can catch), in twice or three times the depth of 

 water. 



Oyster and fish culture have added much to the food supply of the world. We 

 who grow oysters hope that you who multiply the fish will recognize us as in a com- 

 mon cause. We who devote our efforts to devising new methods of providing food 

 can not have the honor to benefit mankind in the same way as those who minister to 

 their religious, governmental, and educational needs, but so long as famine and want 

 occur, if we help to prevent the suffering of our fellow creatures, we may hope in some 

 humble degree to be classed, like "Abou ben Adhem," with "those who love their 

 fellow men." 





