FISHERIES OF THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES. 519 



opeiun- to work to advantage. The opener picks up an oyster from 

 the pile before him, placing its edge on an upright pin, and with a 

 small hanuuer breaks off the tip end, then inserting his oyster knife 

 with a quick motion, flips off the top shell which drops down a spout 

 by his side; another quick motion with the knife and the oyster is 

 thrown from the shell into a measure, the shell following the first one 

 down the spout. From the chute the shells fall into an oval-shaped 

 trough that extends under the entire length of the long table. An 

 endless chain passes over the trough to which, every 2 or 3 feet, is 

 attached an iron scraper that scrapes the shells as they fall from the 

 hands of the opener. Arriving at the end of the table, the shells fall 

 into another trough running at right angles, which is also provided 

 with an endless chain with scrapers that passes on outside of the 

 building and up an incline of 50 feet in height, out on an extended 

 arm some 50 feet, around which it returns and continues its endless 

 course. The extended arm at the top is provided with openings 

 through which a continuous stream of shells falls so long as the 150 

 openers are at work. When one pile of shells reaches up to the 50- 

 foot level the first opening is closed, the shells falling through the 

 next opening, starting another pile from the ground. The endless 

 chain is 1,000 feet long and is driven by a 45-horsepower steam engine. 

 This appliance was first used in the oyster industry during the season 

 of 1899 and 1900, removing 125,000 bushels of shells. 



In the season of 1900-1901, 190,000 bushels of shells represented 

 the bulk of the season\s work of opened oysters by one firm. At the 

 close of the season these shells were all removed and scattered over 

 the private oyster beds of the firm, for the spat or young oysters to 

 catch on soon after hatching out. 



For many years the removal of the large amount of shells was quite 

 a tax on the business. Shells were gladly given away to anyone who 

 would remove them. Then as they came more in demand for road 

 building, the filling of low lands, for making lime, and other purposes, 

 a small price of 1 cent or less a bushel was paid. As the leasing of 

 land for oyster culture increased, the shells came largely in demand 

 for planting on oj^ster beds and were so used for several years, the 

 price advancing to 2 cents a bushel. During the years of depression 

 their use was discontinued. With the return of more prosperous j^ears 

 and a large increase of private beds, an active demand for shells to 

 plant called for nearly all the supply, at prices ranging from 3 to 4 

 cents a bushel, adding many thousands of dollars to the receipts of 

 the dealers. 



FISHING WATERS AND SEASONS. 



The State of Virginia is bountifully supplied with waters that pro- 

 duce many species of food fish. Beginning on the south near the 

 State line of North Carol iiui. pound nets and haul seines are used all 



