234 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



it would not have been oifered in the market five years back. The only 

 locality along the coast where the supply is not diminishing at an alarm- 

 ing rate is in Connecticut. But that State produces but an inconsid- 

 erable quantity of oysters compared to the yield of the great bays. 

 The importance of arresting the deterioration of this important industry 

 does not need argument ; but from the nature of the fishery and the 

 character of the fishermen no effectual steps can be taken until the 

 usefulness and necessity of intelligent cultivation according to the most 

 approved modern methods is made apparent to the men engaged in the 

 business. The benefits of systematic culture must be actually aijd tan- 

 gibly before them before they can appreciate their value ; and I know 

 of no other way to accomplish this end than by the establishment of 

 small model oyster farms in the Chesapeake and Delaware regions. I 

 know by experience that the fishermen cannot be reached by anything 

 written or said ; they can only be taught by what I may call " object-les- 

 sons." The value of model and experimental stations is attested by the 

 great influence such establishments had in assisting the French oyster- 

 culturists in their efforts to restock the oyster beds of the French coast. 

 In 1858 there was a very great scarcity of oysters, and in consequence 

 the Imperial Government undertook the restocking of the beds and the 

 establishment of model oyster farms. To-day the waters of France are 

 again prolific, and the numerous oyster farms, breeding establishments, 

 &c., are all coj^ies of the model establishments of the Government. 



In addition to the operation of model farms, I would iiress the import- 

 ance of continued investigation of the embryological life of the 03'ster. 

 The effect of the various influences to which it and the mature animal 

 are exposed should be determined as early as possible. Knowledge 

 of those influences and intelligent ai)preciation of their effects are 

 absolutely necessary to the success of oyster-culture. Thousands of 

 dollars would be annually saved to the Connecticut oystermen if they 

 could determine, with even approximate accuracy, the date when the 

 attachment of the young brood would occur. Hundreds of thousands 

 would be saved if they had any reliable method of determining the 

 probabilities of the spawning season. Careful, continuous, and elabor- 

 ate study and investigation alone can determine these points and oth- 

 ers of equal importance. Considering the value of successful determi- 

 nation, not onl3^ in a scientific aspect, but i:)ractically, no effort or 

 exj^ense should be spared to obtain it. Obviously the investigation 

 cannot be undertaken by the fishermen, and if not accomplished by the 

 Government it must rest unsettled for many years. 



The area of the great beds of tlie Chesapeake and Delaware Bays is 

 471,171 acres; and the product per acre was, in 1880, 41 bushels. At 

 present it is certainly not more than 25 bushels. If the deterioration 

 continues at the same rate, the result is too evident to need comment. 

 That remedial measures should be taken is an imi^erative necessity. 



Washington, D. C, March 12, 1884. 



