224 U. S. BUKEAU OF FISHERIES 



6. The nature of the bottom is variable. Generallj'^ it is soft to 

 sticla' in the shallow bays and estuaries on the western side and in 

 the deep offshore ^Yater, while it is hard on the shoal areas. 



7. The fattest and best quality 03'sters are growing on sticky bot- 

 toms in the various indentations on the western side south of Long 

 Shoal and on the hard bottom in the paths of strong currents. 



8. Xatural oyster beds are found in the water below low-tide mark 

 and on a few of the tidal flats close to Ocracoke Inlet. 



9. Excellent supplies of seed oysters can be obtained from the tidal 

 flats near Ocracoke Inlet (Shell Castle) and in northern Roanoke 

 Sound opposite Xaggs Head. 



10. " Setting " occurs in deep water as well as on the tidal flats near 

 Ocracoke Inlet. 



11. The natural oyster beds can be restored and considerabh^ ex- 

 tended bj^ making shell plants according to a well-devised plan. 



12. High-grade single oysters can be cultivated in the areas de- 

 scribed if the oysters are not allowed to become overcroAvded and 

 grow in clusters. 



13. Some oyster areas, such as Wyesocking Bay and INIount 

 Pleasant Bay, are overcrowded. 



14. The soft bottom of Bay River, in the vicinitj^ of Vandemere, is 

 unsuited for the production of high-grade oysters, unless the bottom 

 be hardened by shell plants, 



15. The oyster grounds north of Long Shoal are subject to freshets 

 and do not compare favorably with other oyster grounds in the State 

 in the production of high-grade oysters. 



In order to increase oyster production and produce high-quality 

 oysters in Pamlico Sound and its tributaries, the following recom- 

 mendations are offered : 



1. Shell planting on favorable oyster grounds should be increased. 



2. At the end of the first year the plants, if the " set " ha^ been 

 thick, should be thinned by transplanting in order to prevent over- 

 crowding. 



3. Shells should not be planted among marketable oysters but 

 should be placed a short distance from the main bed in the path of the 

 strongest current. 



4. The cull law, prohibiting the removal of shells and yoimg oysters 

 from the bottom, should be enforced. 



5. The overcrowded oyster beds in Wyesocking Bay, Mount Pleas- 

 ant Bay, and Rains Bay should be thinned by dredging. 



6. Private oyster farming should be encouraged. 



Florida. — In compliance with the request of the engineering direc- 

 tor of the National Research Council, a survey of the inshore waters 

 of Florida was made by Dr. P. S. Galtsoff, with a view to ascertain- 

 ing whether conditions suitable for cultivation of pearl oysters exist 

 in Florida waters. Upon considering the location of different bays, 

 the character of the bottom, salinity of water, its pH, and general 

 ecological conditions, it has been found that Blackwater Sound is a 

 suitable place in which to experiment with pearl oysters. 



Inshore areas of Long Island Sound. — In order to determine the 

 location and extent of areas in Connecticut suitable for seed-oyster 

 production, H. F. Prytherch made a cruise of over 50 miles in August 

 along the coast from Stamford to the Thimble Islands. In the 



