OYSTER INVESTIGATIONS IN GEORGIA 



97 



the shell S[)it mentioned above. This j^lace had been cleaned of 

 03'sters prior to the planting of brush and, as we know, collected 

 no si:)at in 1928. In A]ji-il, 15)28, about 200 oystei's Avere collected 

 from 1 to 2 feet below low-tide mark by hand and <()n<i;s. One hun- 

 dred and twenty-six of these oysters were measured for lenj^th and 

 width. For the most part they were single and of line shape, but 

 a few were in clusters of two and three. By referring to Figure 

 23 it will be seen that the oysters ranged from 55 to 110 millimeters 

 (2f'u to 4/\; inches) in length, and from 45 to 90 millimeters (1% to 

 3-i'Jj inches) in Avidth. Seventy oysters, or 55 per cent, ranged from 

 75 to 85 millimeters in length, and 84, or GG per cent, ranged from 55 



to G5 millimeters in width, 

 the measurements of these 

 oysters shows a normal 

 form, indicating that all be- 

 long to the same year class. 



If the above figures are 

 regarded as representative 

 for the whole coastal region, 

 the following estimate can 

 be made of the growth of 

 oysters in Georgia waters: 

 Year-old oysters (based on 

 measurements of oysters 

 from Duplin River) : 

 Length, ranging from 24 to 

 G9 millimeters (1 to 2% 

 inches) ; width, ranging 

 from 18 to 45 millimeters 

 {% to 1% inches). 



Two - year - old oysters : 

 Length, ranging from 55 to 

 110 millimeters (2i/8 to 43/^ 

 inches) ; width, ranging 

 from 45 to 85 millimeters 

 (1% to 33/8 inches). 



The frequency-distril)utioii curv(; for 



15 30 



WIDTH MM 



Figure 22.- 



-Width of oysters 

 Duplin Rivpr, May, 



grown 

 1920 



on brush, 



CONCLUSIONS 



The survey and experiments carried out in Georgia coastal waters 

 have demonstrated both the advantages and the difficulties in the 

 cultivation of oysters in this region. The present method of ex- 

 ploitation of natural beds, consisting in taking every good-shaped 

 oyster from the tidal fiats, leads to gradual depletion of the natural 

 resources. On the other hand, it appears possible by introducing 

 modern methods of cultivation not only to maintain the productivity 

 of the natural beds at its present level but to utilize waste areas of 

 barren bottoms by converting them into oyster farms, thereby in- 

 creasing the value of marsh land which is unutilized and low priced 

 at present. 



What measures should be taken to restore the natural wealth of 

 oyster resources, and what policy should be followed for better ex- 

 ploitation of barren bottoms? We know that most of the natural 



