100 FISHERY INDUSTRIES OF THE UNITED STATES. 
that about one-half the output goes out of the State, mostly to 
California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Montana, and some to British 
Columbia. As is well known, this native oyster is very much smaller 
than the eastern one. 
The eastern oyster is produced in several counties of the State 
from Samish Bay, in Skagit County, to Willapa Harbor, in Pacific 
County, but 84 per cent of the output is from the latter water. 
Shoalwater Bay, an arm of Willapa Harbor, is especially suitable for 
the culture of the eastern oyster, and it is said that so far as known 
the southern part of this bay is the only place on the Pacific coast 
where the eastern oyster will propagate and successfully develop. 
The most important oyster centers in this region are Nahcotta, 
Tokeland, South Bend, and Bay Center. Little attention is paid now 
to the native oyster at these localities as compared with times past. 
It is authoritatively stated that the first eastern oyster was brought 
to Willapa Harbor for planting in 1894. The shipment was made 
by J. GJ. W. Ellsworth Co., of New York, under the direction of the 
U.S. Fish Commission. Although conditions seemed favorable for 
the continued planting of eastern oysters in this region, practically 
nothing more was done for several years, due largely to the freight 
rates, which were almost prohibitory. About the year 1900 the - 
business took on new life and continued to grow until 1907, when it 
slacked up from lack of demand. Little planting was done during 
the following years until the spring of 1912, when six carloads of 
seed oysters were brought from the east and planted. ‘Allowing the 
usual time for maturing, these oysters were probably marketed in 
1914 and 1915. The planters seem to [ora “‘set” for planting, as 
they can get more out of a bushel and they develop into a better 
oyster than older stock. The demand for eastern oysters is now so 
ereat that they are rarely left on the beds after reaching 3 years of 
age. The high freight rates and heavy mortality contribute largely 
to the high price of these oysters. Some Japanese oysters have been 
planted in Willapa Harbor, but they did not meet with sufficient 
favor to justify further planting. 
The oyster eee ie occupied by planters in Washington have been 
purchased and deeded by the State to the owners. This deed holds 
good only so long as the land is devoted to oyster culture. 
Seed oysters.—During the year 1915, 3,544 bushels of seed oys- 
ters, with an estimated value of $8,619, were taken by planters 
from State reserves. Thereserves are tidewater grounds owned 
by the State, certain portions of which are opened up to planters 
each year between April 1 and June 15 for taking seed stock. Each 
planter is allowed 500 sacks of 120 pounds each for every acre pre- 
pared by him for seeding, and no seed stock can be sold. 
Crabs.—Crabs are taken entirely with hoop nets and pots, the 
total catch with both forms of apparatus in 1915 amounting to 
1,734,401 pounds, having a value to the fishermen of $54,526, show- 
ing an increase since 1904 of 174 per cent in quantity, and 102 per 
cent in value. All but 92,231 pounds, valued at $3,104, were taken 
in the shore fisheries. Crabs are taken commercially in almost all 
of the counties bordering on Puget Sound and in Grays Harbor and 
Pacific Counties bordermg on the ocean. In the two last-named 
counties the fishing is followed almost entirely in the ocean. The 
most important coast centers in the State are Bay Center, Tok- 
