[43] 



FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. 



"Toiiging," that is, takiug oysters by tongs, is permitted at any 

 point, and small tracts of bottom, contiguous to tlie land of tlie persou 

 desiring to plant or cultivate oysters, may be secured for that purpose; 

 very little in tbat line is, however, attempted. 



Virginia. — This State has also extensive natural oyster beds, and, 

 consequently, but little attention is given to planting and cultivation. 

 Dredging is no longer allowed, but the law on that point is frequently 

 disregarded by the lawless dredging vessels of the bay. A certain 

 amount of a rude species of cultivation is carried on, consisting merely iu 

 transplanting oysters from one locality to another, but the yield is incon- 

 siderable when compared with that of the natural beds. These, like the 

 Maryland areas, are fast being exhausted by the excessive fishery. ISio 

 ''fishery force" is maintained, and the law is enforced by local peace 

 officers, occasionally assisted by the militia of the State. 



None of the remaining Southern States are important oyster centers. 

 The fishery is confined to supplying the local demands, and no packing 

 or canning is attempted. As a general thing the natural beds afibrd 

 as many oysters, and those of as good a quality, as is desired. In the 

 neighborhood of Charleston, South Carolina, Mobile, Alabama, New 

 Orleans, Louisiana, and Galveston, Texas, a rude system of cultivation, 

 similar to that of Virginia, is carried on to a limited extent. 



On the Pacific coast, cultivators have made many attempts to intro- 

 duce the Eastern oyster or that from Mexican waters, but without ma- 

 terial success. The Eastern variety will live and increase in size, but 

 does not breed, and unless the suj^ply is continually augmented by 

 fresh importations from the East the planted beds gradually die out. 



The following statistical summary from the United States Census 

 Eei^ort shows the volume of the oyster industry of the whole country. 



Table showing, hy Sfafcs, the persons 'anpJojied, capital invested, and value of products in the 



oyster industry. 



n This (juantity represents only the euhanceiuent, the first cost being included iu the Maryland and 

 Virffiuia statistics. 



