The Chesapeake 223 



Conditions governing the oyster industry in Virginia 

 and Alary land are in a state of transition from depend- 

 ence on the wild crop to oyster culture. A great and 

 radical change is contemplated in the latter state, while 

 the former is slowly continuing progress inaugurated 

 years ago. 



There are several reasons for the slow progress of 

 oyster culture in Virginia. The industry has reached that 

 stage where its natural beds are as much a curse as a 

 blessing. According to the Baylor survey of 1892, these 

 beds covered an area of two hundred and twenty-six 

 thousand acres. These have dwindled to small propor- 

 tions; their size cannot be accurately estimated. Over 

 large areas oysters are scattered, and many of the orig- 

 inal rocks are now quite barren. Yet nearly every one 

 clings desperately to the idea that the future industry de- 

 pends on their preservation as natural beds. 



The result is that all the energies of the state are ex- 

 pended on policing this territory — in an attempt to en- 

 force the close-season, and to prevent the sale of small 

 oysters by tongers to planters — instead of affording some 

 protection to the oyster culturist, who is making a seri- 

 ous effort to succeed. As it is, the oyster " navy " is too 

 small to enforce the laws on a quarter of the public ter- 

 ritory alone. 



Another reason for slow development is the absence 

 of a triangulation survey of barren bottoms available for 

 oyster culture, and the consequent insecurity of title. The 

 oyster laws are so confused and so conflicting, contain 

 so many exceptions and special and local provisions, that 

 no one has a definite idea of his rights. 



The state is committed to the plan of raising the great- 

 est possible direct revenue from the industry, and gives 



