52 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



lS.-REPORT OF THE WORK BN AN OYSTER INVESTIGATION 

 WITH THE STEAMER LOOKOUT. 



By EUGENE O. BLACKFORD. 



I have the honor to submit the following report of the work in the 

 oyster investigation with the steamer Lookout, which you so kindly 

 placed at the disposal of the New York State Oyster Investigation 

 Commission : 



During the thirteen days from September 12 to September 24, inclu- 

 sive, that the steamer Lookout was at my disposal for the purpose of 

 rendering assistance in our State oyster investigation ten trips were 

 made with her to various points in the immediate vicinity of the city of 

 New York, and along the north shore of Long Island as far east as 

 Northport Harbor. The trips, which were very satisfactory in their 

 general results, were made in the following order: City Island, Perth 

 Amboy and the south end of Stateu Island, Cold Spring Harbor, Hemp- 

 stead Harbor, Little Neck Bay, Manhasset or Cow Bay, Execution Light- 

 house Bock, Port Chester and Bye Beach, Northport Harbor, Princess 

 Bay, and Spuyten Duyvel Creek. 



During each trip one or more dredgings were made upon both the 

 planted and natural beds of the vicinity, and specimens of the oysters 

 of the beds were selected and preserved from each haul of the dredge. 

 Notes were made as to the general condition of the beds, as shown by 

 the proportion of oysters and shells taken at the different hauls, and the 

 presence or absence of the various enemies of the oyster ; also all in- 

 formation, which could be gained in so short a time in regard to the 

 general working of the beds and the industry in that particular local- 

 ity. 



September 13. — The first trip was made to City Island, which lies 

 northeast of the city near the entrance into the sound. Capt. Joshua 

 Leviness was taken on board as pilot. He owns about 150 acres of 

 oyster territory near the island, and was the first person to set stakes 

 for oyster-planting in the East Biver. Originally all the laud under 

 water about the island was natural oyster ground, but at present most 

 of it has been taken up and staked off for " plants." Before the stak- 

 ing off took place much of the territory had become exhausted from 

 overworking by the oystermen, and some of the laud has been ruined 

 by the dumping of garbage. The first dredge was made upon Captain 

 Leviness' planted ground. The dredge was down one minute, and 

 came up with 198 oysters and a few mussels, clams, and scallops. There 

 were not many shells and only a few drills. The second dredging was 

 made on a natural bed, and resulted in 16 small oysters and quite a 

 number of shells. The planted oysters were of good size and fine flavor. 

 There was no set of young oysters on either the planted or the native 



