492 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



In addition to the native seed there are also planted from 35,000 to 

 40,000 bushels per year of Chesapeake Bay oysters, which are obtained 

 by means of transporting vessels. They cost on an average about 70 

 cents per bushel, and, like the large natives, are of nearly marketable 

 size when planted. Large oysters, whether natives or Ohesapeakes, 

 are usually planted in the spring and taken up during the summer fol- 

 lowing, to supply the constantly increasing summer trade of Atlantic 

 City and Philadelphia. It is not generally expected that during the 

 few months they are allowed to remain on the grounds they will 

 increase very much in size; but there is some growth and also some 

 loss, the one usually being sufficient to offset the other. The price 

 received for oysters when marketed is from $1.25 to $1.65 per bushel, 

 or an average of about $1.50. The small native seed is planted in the 

 spring and fall aud is allowed to grow about three years before being 

 taken up for market. They are planted in from 2 to 5 feet of water, or 

 as much deeper as may be available. 



Deterioration of the oyster supply. — The oyster-planting industry has 

 been prosecuted quite extensively in the waters of Atlantic County 

 from an early date. It apiiarently reached its climax of prosperity and 

 importance in 1880. Since that time the planting operations have not 

 been attended with so good results as formerly, but the diminution in 

 the yield has been more appreciable since 1888. That the industry is 

 not now so prosperous as in 1880 is doubtless due to a combination of 

 causes. 



In the early history of oyster-planting in these bays, Great Bay was 

 a much more i)roductive source of seed supply than it has been in 

 recent years. I^atural oysters could also be obtained in considerable 

 quantities in the smaller bays and in the creeks along the shores, 

 whereas they have now become very scarce. Great Egg Harbor Bay 

 and Eiver were also noted for their abundant yield of natural oysters. 

 The beds in these waters were not extensive, but extremely productive, 

 and were annually visited by a large number of boats from Atlantic 

 and Cape May counties. It is said to have been not uncommon for a 

 boat or large scow to be loaded with oysters without having to change 

 its place of anchorage, and that more than 100 bushels were frequently 

 taken by one man in a day. As the beds began to be exhausted they 

 gradually spread over larger areas and the oysters became more thinly 

 distributed. At the present time the yield of these beds is compara- 

 tively small, and they are not relied upon to any great extent to furnish 

 seed for the use of the planters. 



The most important cause, perhaps, assigned for the decline in the 

 planting industry is the damage and frequently the total destruction 

 of many of the most valuable planting areas by the growth of eelgrass? 

 which is especially abundant in the bays where the planting-grounds 

 are principally located. It would seem that the tendency of the 

 inlets connecting the bays with the ocean to fill uj) with sand and 



