THE OYSTER-INDUSTRY. 193 



R. THE GULF OF MEXICO. 



54. OYSTER INTERESTS OF WEST FLORIDA. 



General considerations. — The Gulf of Mexico preseuts an area of. profuse and widespread oyster-growth, 

 and of considerable coaimercial interests. Though the extent of coast is large, and the points of noteworthy 

 production are scattered, yet the whole Gulf can conveniently be considered together. In addition to my own 

 hasty investigations of this region, I am afforded the assistance of two very competent gentlemen — Mr. Silas 

 Stearns, of Pensacola, Florida, and Mr. Franklin F. Ainsworth, of New York, whose contributions are specially 

 and tbankfullj' acknowledged, as they severally appear in the ensuing account: 



Early abundance of oysters. — The immense abundance of oysters and oyster-reefs on the western coast 

 of Florida, astonished the earliest explorers, and their histories of explorations contain many allusions to it. 

 Charlevoix went there (or along the reefs) two centuries ago, and writes in his Voyages (II, 1255): 



But this Coaft is the Kingdom of Oyfters, as the great Bank of Nsu-foundland, and the Gulph and the River SI. Lawrence are that of 

 the Cod-Fifh. All these low Lands, which we coalted as near as iiolfible, are bordered with Trees, to which are faftened a prodigious 

 Quantity of little Oyfters, of an esqnifite Tafte : Others, much larger and lefs dainty, are found in the Sea in fuch.Numbers that they form 

 Banks in it, which we take at firft for Rocks on a Level with the Surface of the water. 



The trees to which Charlevoix's men "found oysters attached were mangroves, and a short discussion of the 

 service these mollusks are doing in aggrandizing the commonwealth and territory of Florida will not be out of 

 place. 



South Florida. — Among these now commercially worthless reefs of oysters, various beds or "rocks" have 

 been found, supplying those which are edible and locally put on sale, or at least sought by the shore-peoide from 

 time to time. Excellent oysters, lying singly and of large size, are thus found at several points in Whitewater 

 bay, at Cape Romano, Gordon's Pass, and in Charlotte harbor. These are the beds which supply the "shell" 

 market of Key West*, the greater part coming from Punta Rassa (a steamer landing), and gathered in that 

 vicinity for the most part among the mangrove islands between Pine island and Sanibel island. The average 

 number shipped from Punta Rassa is 5,000 a week from October 1 to April 1, making 120,000 (by count) in all. 

 At SO 50 a thousand these are worth -$780. Occasionally lots of 5,000 to 6,000 oysters are received from Caximbus 

 bay, which are sold at auction, generally at a value of $5 per thousand. The total value in a season will not, 

 however, exceed about $125, representing 25,000 oysters. This total of 145,000 oysters in shell, by count, equals 

 about GOO bushels, worth nearly $2 a bushel in Key West. Unfortunately I have no record of the number of men 

 or boats given employment. 



Charlotte harbor, Little Sarasota, etc.— Northward of Charlotte harbor and Caximbus bay good 

 oysters are to be had in Little Sarasota bay, and are especially recommended. At the mouth of the Manatee river 

 there is an oyster-bar that produces the stock mainly used by the peo])le who live at Braidentown, Manatee, and 

 on the river banks. These are of inferior quality in both shape and taste, but would doubtless be improved by 

 transplanting into purer and Salter water. No estimate of the irregular supply from these reefs can be made; it is 

 of small consequence. Mr. Stearns also discovered large single oysters at Pal ma Sola. 



TA5IPA AND NORTHWARD. — The towu of Tampa and the villages at the head of Tampa bay get their oysters 

 from some famous reefs olf Gadsden's point. These oysters are said to be single, and, though not of very large 

 size, to be admirable in flavor. No planting is done in any shape, nor are any oysters sent from here to Key West. 

 I was told that three men and three boats found pretty steady employment in oystering there, and the catch 

 perhaps amounts to a total of 1,500 bushels a year, worth about $500. 



As fast as settlement proceeds on the shores of this low and indented coast, more and more beds of oysters are 

 found available for local use, so that each settlement and nearly every farm, as a rule, has its particular locality or 

 bed. These will midtiply, of course, as people and explorations increase, and consequently a demand grows. 

 Thus far, however, no beds have been discovered, bearing an edible sort, in Big Sarasota bay or in Clearwater bay, 

 but that they formerly existed there, and at the lower end undoubtedly exist yet, is shown by the thousands of 

 good-sized specimens mingled with other mollusks in the mounds and shell-heaps at Point Pinellos and elsewhere 

 in this neighborhood. 



About the Anclotes (inside), however, and thence, wherever they have been diligently sought for in the mouths 

 of all the rivers and suitable localities, they exist and are used up as far as Crystal river, where is found the first 

 real " fishery ", albeit of small ])roi)ortions. 



Between Crystal river and Cedar Keys there is little worth mention in the way of oysters, the Homosassa and 

 Withlacoochee beds sufficing only for local demand, supplemented by the better stock from above and below there. 



* The main consumption of oysters in this reef city consists, according to Mr. F. F. Ainsworth, of canned stock from Baltimore, 

 shipped via New York by steamer. Nearly 25,U00 cans (1 and 2 pounds) are reported as used annually, the value of the sales in 18d0 

 approximating $1,1500. 



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