224 O ur Food Mollusks 



practically no return of any sort. This will prove to be 

 a short-sighted policy. 



The fear of an oyster monopoly is very general and 

 very acute. Not enough bottom is leased to one in- 

 dividual to invite extensive oyster culture, and non- 

 resident capital is not allowed to develop any of the ex- 

 tensive and barren areas in the bay. All of the oyster 

 producing states have at some time placed this prohibi- 

 tion on the oyster industry — but never on one conducted 

 on dry land. It would be interesting to know what is 

 the economic principle involved in the discrimination. 



While there is a considerable area covered by planted 

 oysters in Virginia, the chief source of supply is still the 

 natural rocks or beds. Planting is not at present in- 

 creasing, and partly for the reason that the business of 

 rearing seed for sale has not yet been established. Plant- 

 ing in the deeper parts of the bay has not yet been given 

 a fair trial. True oyster culture — the capture of the 

 young on collectors and its rearing for market — has been 

 tried, and with success, but is not yet extensively prac- 

 tised. 



Criticisms of the Virginia industry should lead no 

 one to be pessimistic concerning it. In actual production 

 the state is one of the great leaders. Large and flourish- 

 ing packing houses are numerous, and some of the 

 brands marketed by them are of the greatest excellence. 



Methods of state control, that change only with the 

 gradual modification of public opinion, are slowly work- 

 ing through that series of experiments to the conclusions 

 that other states have already reached. Communities, 

 like individuals, seldom are benefited by the experiences 

 of other communities. But the time probably will soon 

 come in Virginia when dependence will be placed on a 



