PACIFIC COAST FISHERIES. 



207 



Seed oysters brought from the Atlantic remain on the beds from 

 three to four years, during which time they grow to the average size of 

 the oyster of like age on the Atlantic. The original iiavor is retained, 

 although planted on the same beds with the natives of Washington, 

 which are widely known for their small size and peculiar strong copper 

 flavor, which they retain when brought and planted in California. 



Ten small sailing vessels are engaged in transporting the oysters, 

 as needed, from the beds to San Francisco. On arriving at the city, 

 the bulk of the oysters grown from Atlantic seed are opened, canned, 

 and ijacked in ice, and are known to the trade as eastern oysters. 

 They are distributed all over the west coast, meeting those from the 

 Atlantic at Denver, Colo. 



In addition to the opening and canning of eastern oysters, consider- 

 able business is done in supplying the large city demand for oysters in 

 the shell. Both the eastern and native oysters show an improvement 

 during the past few years; they have larger shell, plumj)er meat, and 

 a better flavor. The only noteworthy feature since the more detailed 

 report of 1889 is a slow but steady growth in the business. 



There is room for an increase in the business, but to accomplish this 

 the industry, as at present carried on, will require large capital, and 

 several years would elapse before the seed would grow and returns be 

 expected. The freight on the seed from the Atlantic is a large item 

 in the expense of the business. Firms now engaged are reported as 

 holding several thousand acres of ground adaptable for oyster-culture, 

 but not so used. 



The extent of tlie oyster industry of San Francisco during the years 

 1889 to 1892, inclusive, is shown in the following tables. The persons 

 employed at the beds (105 in number) and on shore and the capital 

 devoted to the business were the same each year. 



Property and capital. 



Items. 



Value. 



Vessels :.-■■ $15,100 



Shore property 100,000 



Oyster beds . .* ' i 100, oOO 



Cash capital I 75,000 



Total 290, 100 



Products. 



