THE OYSTER-INDUSTRY. 185 



The "green-gill" disease. — In ISSO what tlie oystermeu call the "green-gill" began to affect the planted 

 oysters in Back river, and Colonel McDonald inquired carefully into it. He learned that it began with the oysters 

 lowest down the river and traveled up the stream. It was supposed by the planters to be due to the extremely 

 dry weather, which caused the water of the river to be unusually salty, since the condition apjieared first where 

 the water was saltest. When the oysters of Back river were similarly affected many years ago, one man moved 

 several hundred bushels around to the Bay-shore, and allowed them to remain some time in the salty waters of 

 the bay without producing any change. The salient fact, if true, is that the change began in the salt water. 

 Furthermore, it is observed that this peculiarity only affects them when they are fat. The existence of it does 

 not impair the quality of the oysters, but it does materially affect the sale, because people generally are ignorantly 

 afraid of it. 



Pbejudicial otster-laws. — One other feature of this district calls forth remarks from Colonel McDonald, 

 which I quote herewith : 



The Ilamptou flats fiiruished a notaljlo example of a condition of things that is beginning to jirevail extensively in Virginia waters. 

 Formerly they were covered with a natural growth of oysters that had great reputation and counnauded a high jirice in the markets. 

 They lay right at the doors of Hampton, and gave profitable emjiloyment to her fishermen; now these flats are exhausted, and though 

 possessing a productive capacity of nearly half a million bushels annually under judicious planting, the law of the state prohibiting jilauting 

 upon "oyster rock", keeps them barren, when an annual income of not less than $125,000 is possible. There are not now, nor is it likely 

 there ever will be again, any natural, wild oysters growing there. Yet 2,C00 acres of fine planting-ground, at the very doors of the 

 oystermeu is compelled to lie idle through shortsighted prejudice. 



Oyster gathering and planting in York river. — For information in regard to the oyster-fisheries and 

 industries of York river, I am again indebted to Colonel McDonald, whom I quote : 



York river is the common estuary of the JIattaponi and the Pamunkey rivers. It is a broad arm of the Chesapeake, some 30 miles 

 in length. At the head of it stands West Point, the terminus of the Richmond, York River and Chesapeake railroad, whence lines of 

 steamers iily to New York, Boston, and Baltimore. The average width of the river is about three miles. At its mouth, between Yorktown 

 and Gloucester point, the width rapidly contracts to less than 1,200 yards. Through this narrow gorge the tide rushes with great velocity 

 and has scoured out the channel to the depth of nearly 80 feet * • • . 



The natural oyster-rocks of York river are now insignificant, compared to former days, and most of the oystermeu who formerly 

 worked on this river every season, now go to the Rappahannock and the James. Relatively, the oyster-planting interests are of greater 

 importance, yet are insignificant now compared to what they were ten years ago. At that time the high price of oysters caused 

 overplanting, which led to the impoverishment of the planting-grounds, while the sudden fall in prices ruined most of those who were 

 engaged in the business. 



The plants for this river are obtained in part from James river, the larger part from the Potomac, and cost to bring and lay down 

 from 1.5 to 20 cents a bushel. The same conditions of " greening" characterize the oysters in this river as in Back river. The greening 

 begun with those lowest down the river, and has traveled up. Cajitain Van Pelt states as a curious fact, th^t green oysters have never 

 been found on the York side higher up than Saudj' point. 



The planting grounds extend to about 25 miles above Yorktown, and are occupied by 15 or 20 planters, who 

 raised about 350,000 bushels for market during the past season. The ruling price was 35 cents, which would make 

 the total value $122,500. Including the hired help, a hundred families probably make a living out of oyster- 

 planting in York river, with the help of tonging, clam-digging, and various land-occupations. The product goes 

 in schooners to the New York and Boston markets. 



Planting in the Eappahannock.— In respect to the Eappahannock, what has been learned of the planting- 

 interests is rather discouraging. The extent of ground under use is a strip along the flats on both sides, 

 averaging 100 yards in width. The.se extend from Ware's wharf or Eussell's rock, which is about eight miles 

 above the light-house, to the mouth of the river. The seed comes chiefly from the natural beds in the 

 Eappahannock and Potomac rivers, with a few from elsewhere. The planters are roughly estimated by Mr. 

 B. L. Farinholt, of Montagues, Essex county, Virginia, who kindly gave me much information on this district, at 

 about a thousand ; and taking into account the tongers who sell exclusively to the planters, and others employed, 

 Mr. Farinholt thinks no less than 5,000 men are supported by this industry. Many of these persons come to the 

 river from elsewhere to work during the season, but very few are hired at stipulated wages in any capacity. 



Last season the planted crop is roughly estimated at about 400,000 bushels, which sold at an average price of 

 50 cents. The season of ISSO-'Sl was an exceptionally profitable one. Mr. Farinholt writes me in conclusion, as 

 follows : 



Planting is largely on the Increase. The natural beds are raj)idly being destroyed, oysters are becoming scarcer, and prices are 

 incr?asing from 20 to 25 per cent, each year for plants. Unless the season for catching is made shorter, or some heavy tax is laid on, or 

 both together, it is my opinion that within a few years this interest will become a very small one on this river, simply from the depletion 

 and destruction of the natural beds. 



The PACKING-TRADE OF VIRGINIA.— The packing-tradc of Virginia is of much later origin than that of 

 Maryland. About the year 1859 Mr. Edmonds states that Mr. Edward Fitzgerald opened an oyster-packing 

 establishment in Norfolk; but the war coming on, the business was greatly hampered and restricted, and it was 

 not until 1865 that the trade gave any evidence of ever becoming very exteusi^■e. As the transportation facilities 

 of the city increased, and the ill-effects of the war began to die out, the oyster-trade showed a very marked 



