122 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF I'^ISII AND FISHERIES. 



The total water area surveyed amounts to about 81,280 acres, or 127 

 square miles, <»l" which it is estimated that about oue fourth, in its ])res- 

 eut couditiou, is suitable for oyster-planting. The extent of the natural 

 oyster beds in the same area is placed at about 775 acres. Other ter- 

 ritory, which was not examined, from the lack of time, would greatly 

 increase these ligures, and nuich of the bottom not now regarded as 

 favorable might be rendered so by proper treatment. Furthermore, 

 it is believed (hat the marslies and flats aloiig the coast channels are 

 well ada])ted lor the establishment of tidal jxmds, which could readily 

 be constructed by excavating the soft material to a slight depth or, in 

 some places, by building dikes. In this manner the oyster-producing 

 territory could be greatly exteiuled, and the plan suggested Avould give 

 the oysterman complete control over his stock. 



Two reports respecting this investigation have been published. One, 

 by Mr. John D. Battle,* contains a detailed account of the hydrograpaic 

 survey, including the density observations at all the localities visited. 

 It is accompanied by seven charts, showing the topography of the coast 

 region, the location and extent of all the natural oyster-beds discov- 

 ered, and the specific gravity of the water in each stream. The base 

 charts used for this purpose were furnished by the U. S. Coast and 

 Geodetic Survej^ A second report, by Dr. Bashford ])ean,t treats 

 especially of the character and conditions of the natural oyster-beds 

 and their environment; tlie food of the oyster, its character, distribu- 

 tion, and abundance in the region examined, aiul the chemical composi- 

 tion and physical characteristics of the water upon the oyster-grounds. 

 The account of the general natural history of the region has not yet 

 been completed. 



MARYLAND AND VIKGIXIA. 



The oyster inquiries were extended to the waters of Chesapeake Bay, 

 adjacent to the States of Maryland and Virginia, during the spring of 

 1891. Tangier and Pocomoke sounds, located on the east side of Chesa- 

 peake Bay, were first selected for examination, both because they have 

 been for many years the seat of very extensive and important fishing 

 operations, and because their oyster-beds had ])reviously been sub- 

 jected to carefid investigations, which furnished a suitable basis for 

 C(miparis(ui. The Fish Ilairlc began its work in this region on May 15, 

 1801. The middh^ of June, however, this vessel was temporarily with- 

 drawn to engage in tlu^ hatching of Si)anish mackerel, and her i)hvce 

 was taken by the launch i*e/>e/. The survey was still in progiess at 

 the close of the fiscal year, and was continued until late in the fall. 



*An investigal ion of tho const waters of South Carolina with reference to oyster- 

 culture. By .John I), liatllc Hull. U. S. Fish Com., vol. x, ISOO, pp. :{03-3;?0, 7 charts. 



tThc physical and ltiolo,i;ical chai iurt(^ristic.s ol" tho naiuial oysf«u-<;roun(la of South 

 Carolina. l',y Hash Cord J)caii. Hull. II. S. Fish Com., vol. x, ISilO, pp. 335-361, pis. 

 LXll-LXVIl. 



