TRANSPLANTING OF EASTERN OYSTERS TO WILLAPA BAY. 107 



There were 80 barrels of oysters in all, collected from the following- 

 localities: Raritau Bay, 10 barrels (natural growth); Chesapeake Bay, 

 12 barrels; Newark Bay, 8 barrels (seed); Prince's Bay, 14 barrels; 

 Keyport, 23 barrels; Bast River, 13 barrels. 



Examining the four or live upper layers of oysters in each barrel as 

 it was opened, a few dead oysters were found and counted, as follows: 

 For the 23 barrels from Keyport, 35 oysters ; for the 10 barrels from 

 Raritan Bay, G oysters; for the 12 barrels from Chesapeake Bay, 18 

 oysters, and for the 14 barrels from Prince's Bay, 22 oysters. The 

 Newark and East River lots were in still better condition. A few 

 oysters that were slightly open closed upon being placed in a bucket of 

 sea water, while a dozen or two that we opened were found fresh and 

 well wsupplied with liquid. 



By massing the entire consignment in one locality the chances for 

 fertilization are increased. The tract upon which the oysters were 

 placed, while not measured, is j)robably about 3 acres in extent. A 

 large representation of the local oystermen were present at the plant- 

 ing, in which they were greatly interested. It was agreed that the 

 entire tract, which lies a short distance south of the Bay Center wharf, 

 be reserved as a bed for eastern oysters, and upon the recommendation 

 of Mr. Crawford, State fish commissioner, the Washington legislature 

 enacted a law protecting these oysters.* 



Four months later Mr. N. B. Miller, of the United States Fish Com- 

 mission steamer J. /i«/ross, examined this bed by tonging and found its 

 condition to be excellent. State Commissioner Crawford, having touged 

 up enough to ascertain the general condition of the bed in October, 1895, 

 reported that the oysters were doing well. Very few dead shells were 

 found, while the oysters that were opened were fat and well-flavored. 

 The placing of spat-collectors in the vicinity of this bed is a work that 

 should be arranged for at the proper season. 



The good condition of oysters after a year in the waters of Willapa 

 Bay is sufficient evidence as to the suitability of the region for oyster- 

 growing from imi)orted seed, after the method employed at San Fran- 

 cisco. Many cultivators of the native oysters are anxious to try the 

 bedding of eastern seed, but shipping rates at present are so high as 

 to be prohibitory, the freight charges on a carload of oysters (31,200 

 pounds) shipped by the Fish Commission from New York to Willapa 

 Bay in October, 1894, having amounted to $784.80. 



The conditions for the acclimation of this oyster in Willapa Bay seem 

 favorable, the summer temperature of the water being but little colder 

 than in San Francisco Bay, according to our present knowledge of the 

 subject, while the nature of the bottom is such that young oysters have 

 wide tracts of shelly reefs upon which to settle and grow. The pro- 

 tection of oyster beds by closely driven stakes is here unnecessary, the 

 stingray, so destructive to oysters in California waters, not being 

 found here. 



* For the laws of Washington respecting oysters, see the writer's report on Oyster 

 Resources of the Paciiic Coast, previously quoted. 



