CHAPTER VI. 



A TALK ABOUT OYSTERS. 



An intelligent and successful farmer, visiting an 

 oyster-packer in Baltimore, said : " I know nothing of 

 oysters except what I have heard, but I wish to know 

 more, and I should like to ask you a few questions. 

 Since I have been here I have seen in the newspapers 

 most glowing statements regarding the advantages of 

 Maryland for producing oysters, yet I am constantly 

 being told that all branches of the oyster industry are 

 depressed and in a most discouraging condition. The 

 last two or three winters have been very mild and, I 

 should suppose, very favorable for work upon the 

 beds ; yet I hear that few of the oystermen earned 

 enough to pay expenses last year, and they all say 

 that this winter matters have been very much worse. 

 Your friends in the packing business tell me that the 

 oysters are deteriorating in quality, and that they are 

 growing so scarce that some of the packers have 

 moved away from Baltimore. You say that people in 

 Australia and New Zealand, as well as in Europe and 

 in all parts of our own country, who formerly ordered 

 great quantities of Maryland oysters, no longer 

 patronize you. I hear you complain that, while your 

 business is falling off, you have more and more diffi- 

 culty each year in filling your orders, and I can see 



