PKOGRESS IX BIOLOGICAL IXQUIEIES, 192 7 221 



lij^drotjraphical conditions in these two localities, it is desirable to 

 discuss them separately. 



Mobile Bay.—Thfi oyster-bearing bottoms in this bay can be 

 grouped into two distinct classes. The first comprises the reefs 

 extending along the western shore of the bay from Fowl River to 

 Grant Pass, a distance of 12 miles, and for 4 miles more in a south- 

 easterly direction and parallel to the northern shore of Little 

 Dauphin Island. These reefs are confined almost entirely to the 

 area lying between the G-foot and 12-foot depth curves. The sur- 

 rounding bottom is of soft mud on the eastern side of the reefs and 

 of sand between the shore line and the western edge of the reefs. 

 The area between the 6-foot and 12-foot curves from Fowl River to 

 the eastern end of Little Dauphin Island comprises about 20,000 

 acres, but the actual extent of the natural beds or reefs amounts to 

 2,245 acres. The 03'ster growth on these reefs may be characterized 

 as dense. In many instances the reefs of this group produce only 

 '" coon " oysters of inferior quality, due entirely to the extreme 

 abundance of the set, which covers the adult 03'sters and causes the 

 formation of clusters of oysters, preventing their normal develop- 

 ment and growth. The reefs between Cedar Point and Fowl River 

 Point are 10 or 12 feet deep and are exposed to rough seas on the north, 

 east, and south. Consequently very little to-nging is done on these 

 grounds and is possible only on exceptionally calm days. 



The second group comprises the ground along the eastern shore of 

 Bon Secours Bay. These reefs are few in number, with sparse 

 growth, but produce single oysters of good quality. The depth of the 

 water over the beds varies from 6 to 8 feet, and the beds are sur- 

 rounded by a soft mud. Between the 6-foot curve and the shore is an 

 area of hard, sandy bottom, a large part of which is suitable for 

 cultivating oysters. The total area of the natural bed is about 500 

 acres. The bottom of the bay, although generally soft, contains large 

 areas of sticky mud suitable for oyster planting. 



Mississippi Sound. — The natural oyster beds in the eastern part of 

 Mississippi Sound, Mobile County, cover 4,000 acres. Most of the 

 beds are to be found at the junction of Mobile Ba}^ and the sound, 

 but a few are in Portersville Bay and vicinity. About one-third 

 of the area supports a dense growth and produces cluster or coon 

 oysters. The depth of water over the reefs varies from 2 to 8 feet. 

 The character of the bottom is different in various localities, varying 

 from fine, soft ooze to sticky or hard mud. There are considerable 

 stretches of barren bottom, especially in Grand Bay, Portersville 

 Bay, and around Goffel Island that are suitable for oyster planting. 

 Hard bottom is found in the middle of the sound and along the 

 northern shore of Dauphin Island also. The general plan for in- 

 creasing production and improving the quality of the oysters in these 

 waters is as follows : 



1. Return a large quantity of shells to the natural beds. 



2. Extend the natural beds by planting shells on adjacent firm 

 bottoms. 



3. Plant seed and adult oysters on depleted beds. 



4. Close depleted areas until they are restored to a self-sustaining 

 basis. 



1G147— 28 i 



