50 OYSTER BOTTOMS IN VICINITY OF APALACHICOLA, FLA. 
32. HOPPE FLAT. 
This body of oysters, forming a broad skirting along the north shore 
of St. Vincent Sound, begins near Signal Hoppe and extends westward 
for about 13 miles. Its breadth is about 400 yards, and, exclusive 
of the private claim located within the eastern limits, contains about 
151 acres. Depth of water is from 1 to 4 feet, with inshore parts 
becoming dry or awash at low tide. The bottom is firm and com- 
posed of sand, mud, and scraps. A few buried shells were observed in 
the central section of the bar. The elevation on the outer border is 
about 1 foot. Both the east and west ends of the bed, comprising 
about 110 acres, bear scattering growths of oysters; the central por- 
tion of 32 acres, very scattermg; and the tongue or projection, an area 
of 9 acres, dense growth. 
The oysters are large, occur usually in small clusters, and were found 
fat and in good condition, but milky. Many mussels, some barnacles, 
and considerable sea lettuce were taken, especially on the scattering 
growth. 
The following tables point out the character of oyster growth and 
examination of this bed: 
OysTER GROWTH ON Hopper FLAT. 
Oysters per acre. Esti- 
mated 
Character of oyster growth. Area. content 
Under 3 | Over 3 Total of 
inches. | inches. * | oysters. 
Acres. | Bushels. Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. 
Mensen ees see eecee cere nee Cee cece eee cere eee ee 9 171 790 961 8, 649 
Scattering: 22.3 sb-c ence ct esas nes sieeasee eee ee eer 110 22 117 139 15, 290 
Wely SCatlonine 6 soe eee et meee eee nectee sca eae tr 32 il 67 78 2,496 
“NGG Sit See eS P eS Seca eae cSBeOBOnS aac od soa. sore Gy RRS SHSe eel HSse = SeSellccecocescr 26, 435 
DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF HoprE Fuat. 
=. : 
Oysters caught per Estimated quantity 
square yard. oysters per acre. 
Sta- Date of Depth tee i i cae 4 r Character of 
tion. naticneel twatoralmereds ‘uate ieee oyster growth. 
Spat. Culls.| Counts.| Y8™° | Seed. eet Total. 
1915. Feet. \Sq. yds. Bush. | Bush. | Bush. 
1237...) Apr. 12 2.0 4.50 0 | 16.0 26.0 0 171 790 961 | Dense. 
1216 oa enO: too 3.5 Saou (0) |i Rae 4.8 3 39 145 185 | Scattering. 
1232... do.- 5... 4.5 2. 80 0 Sic 4.0 6 7 121 128 Do. 
1233. . - d0.-=-2 2.0. 4. 50 0} 2.9 3.1 2 31 94 125 Do. 
1236. - GO:.252 4.5 2. 80 (ele leat 3.6 3 12 109 121 Do. : 
1231. - do..... 4.5 2. 80 OU LO 2.2 5 ll 67 78 | Very scattering. 
33. HOPPE OR TEN-MILE BAR. 
This small dense area of 9 acres is situated near the center of St. 
Vincent Sound and lies equidistant from Paradise Flat and Bayou 
Bar on the south and Hoppe Flat on the north. At mean low water 
