OYSTER BOTTOMS IN VICINITY OF APALACHICOLA, FLA. a1 
The following tables show the data obtained from these patches: 
OystER GROWTH ON PatcHES East or BULKHEAD AND East Hote. 
Oysters per acre. Esti- 
. a ee mated 
Character of oyster growth. Area. content 
Under 3 | Over3 of 
Total. 
inches. | inches. oysters. 
Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. 
5 109 288 397 1,985 
| 
DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF PAtTcHES East oF BULKHEAD AND East Hote Bars. 
Oysters caught per Estimated quantity 
Ss d. oysters per acre. 
Sta. Date of | Depth | Area ens Shells Mp Shs Cl farOr 
2M exami- of ecov- |——_——_- DS ee yharacter 0 
tion. nation. *| water. |ered. square oyster growth. 
Spat.|Culls. | Counts. yard. Seed. ket Total. 
1915. Feet. |Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush. 
265....| Feb. 3 3.5 3.35 0 | 13.7 9.5 1 122 263 385 | Dense. 
Fey (BAe Ser do:..4 10.5 2.04 | 4.4] 10.8 11.7 5 96 312 408 Do. 
14. PELICAN BAR (APALACHICOLA BAY). 
This bar or reef is situated in Apalachicola Bay about 1 mile west 
of East Hole and immediately north of Signal Wharf. From shore it 
extends northeastward for about one-half mile, thence turns west by 
north and follows this direction for 1 mile. It has an average width 
of a little over 500 yards and an area of 298 acres. The dense area, 
with the exception of a small patch on the western margin, occupies 
the central portion of the bed and is practically surrounded by very 
scattering growth or depleted bottoms. The depth of water is from 
one-half foot to 54 feet on the bar, the limits of which are but slightly 
elevated above the adjoining grounds. The bottom is hard sand 
with some mud and shells. 
During the last 20 years the bed has grown in all directions to about 
six times its former size. -The increase is especially noticeable on the 
south and west. 
The oysters were found in clusters of rather good shape and size, 
although some stations revealed a number of scissor-bills. The quality 
ranged from poor to good. The better grades, as a rule, were taken 
on the dense growth. At the time of the examination only one or two 
boats were tonging on the bar. Mussels, barnacles, and algze were 
observed at several points. 
