OYSTER BOTTOMS IN VICINITY OF APALACHICOLA, FLA. 37 
OystER GROWTH ON THIGPEN Bar. 
Oysters per acre. Esti- 
mated 
Character of oyster growth. Area. content 
‘ ~| Under 3 | Over3 
inches. | inches. 
Acres, | Bushels. | Bushels. Pastels. Bushels. 
DONSO 2s.0'5,50 Sass SIA eee PEM S oe SEeE 4 81 255 1,344 
DeEraILs OF EXAMINATION OF THIGPEN Bar. 
Oysters eeuent: per Estimated quantity 
Taté.of.|. Depth. Aree square yar Shells oysters per acre. 
ues | asta of Age per Character of 
tion. | nation. | water. | ered. pice iar oyster growth. 
Spat.| Culls.| Counts.| Y"°+ | Seed. ket Total. 
1915. Feet. | Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush. 
795...-| Mar. 15 5.0 2.55 0} 9.0 8.2 1 80 214 294 | Dense. 
868....| Mar. 19 6.0 2.21 0; 8&1 11.8 1 82 297 379 Do. 
19. WEST LUMP AND ADJACENT PATCH. 
This bar, lying a short distance northwest of the center of Apalachi- 
cola Bay, is situated about 2 miles southwest of the entrance to the 
dredged channel at the jetty. It is somewhat scythe-shaped in out- 
line, measures about three-fourths mile in length, and 300 yards in 
width, and is 74 acres in extent. The depth of water is from 44 to 6 
feet. The bottom is composed of mud, sand, and shells and is raised 1 
to 2 feet above the neighboring grounds. The bed supports a dense 
growth, excepting where scattering oysters were found on the project- 
ing arm of the northwest border. During the interval since the last 
survey the bar appears to have shifted its position very slightly to the 
southwest and has maintained its average length and breadth fairly 
well. However, the eastern extremity has broadened somewhat, and 
the projecting arm is of recent growth. 
The oysters were in rather small clusters or singles of general good 
shape, and at the time of the investigation (March 15) were fat, 
becoming milky, and varied in quality from poor to good. Mussels 
and barnacles in small numbers were observed at most of the stations. 
This bar is fished principally for raw stock. 
The small patch, about one-half mile north of the lump, has a 
length of about three-eighths mile, a width of 140 yards, and contains 
approximately 17 acres, nearly three-quarters of which has dense 
growth, the remainder being very scattering. It is the remnant of a 
long, slender bar that had a length of about 14 miles. The bottom, 
composed of mud and sand, with some black shells, has an elevation 
of about 1 foot. The depth of water is 54 to 7 feet. The oysters are 
in clusters of good shape, although some were flattish and of the 
6111 °—1/—_42 
