2f) REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



above referred to. An exarainatioji ol" the piles of neighboring wharves, 

 however, showed the presence of adult oysters and spat in a flourishing 

 condition, as well as an abundance of other forms of life which are 

 generally found in such situations. The pungent odor of creosote was 

 very strong under the nearest wharf, but it did not seem to affect the 

 welfare of the oysters there, although they appeared to Mr. Battle to 

 leave an astringent taste in the mouth. A sample of the water and 

 specimens of oysters from the wharves were afterwards subjected to 

 chemical examination in Washington, without discovering the presence 

 of creosote or of anj^ other poisonous matter. 



Besides the inquiries above referred to, Mr. Battle also located 

 approximately all of the natural oyster beds in Galveston Bay. There 

 are none in the deeper parts of the bay, probably owing to the soft 

 character of the bottom, but they are situated on shoals, from which, in 

 some instances, they have encroached on the adjacent soft bottom by 

 yearly accretion. Except for the preponderance of this soft bottom 

 the conditions seem favorable for oyster- culture south of Redfish Bar, 

 in case the water is never fresher than in August for any length of 

 time. The only enemies known are the drill, couch, and drumfish, no 

 harmful starfishes, it is asserted, finding their way to the oyster beds. 



SEA ISLE CITY, N. J. 



In the last annual rejiort reference was made to experiments by Prof- 

 John A. Ryder, of the University of Pennsylvania, respecting the col- 

 lecting of oyster spat in accordance with an entirely new method, which 

 promised excellent practical results. Formerly, while a member of the 

 scientific stafi' of the Fish Commission, Professor Ryder's energies were 

 directed chiefly toward the solution of this important and perplexing 

 problem, which involves the prosperity of a large proportion of our 

 coastwise population. His work was then carried on mainly at St. 

 Jerome Creek, Maryland, and at the Woods Hole station of the Fish 

 Commission, and, although fair success was met with, it fell short, for 

 some reason, of the practical benefits which had been anticipated. 



During the season of 1891, taking advantage of the facilities afforded 

 by the marine station of the University of Pennsylvania at Sea Isle 

 City, N. J., Professor Ryder started upon a new series of experiments 

 differing radically from any he had tried before. The incidental 

 expenses of the work that year were met by the university. During the 

 next summer, 1892, coo])eration with the Fish Commission was accepted 

 to the extent of paying for the ap])liances and supplies necessary to 

 condu<'t the work ui)on a larger scale. 



The followi)ig extracts from letters written by Professor Ryder in May 

 and June, 1892, will serve to explain his plans: 



I propose this sninmor to conduct a scries of exi)crimouts on a wholly now line. I 

 think most of us have l)eon mistaken in our way of looking at the (luestion. I want, 

 this year, to produce from 30 to (R) bushels of seed oysters to the square rod. I have 

 already experimented far enough at Sea Isle to show that such an estimate is not 



