90 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



The total acreage of the reefs surveyed on the east side of the bay 

 was less than 500 acres, but the oysters are generally large and of fine 

 quality. The known reefs are few, of small size, and considerably 

 depleted, owing doubtless to excessive fishing. Oyster planting is 

 carried on to quite an extent in the southeastern part of this side of the 

 bay, especially in and around the mouth of Bon Secours River and in 

 Oyster Bay. The natural oyster-grounds are more extensive on the west 

 side of the bay, the beds are larger, and at present are in a more flourish- 

 ing condition. They seem to lie more in the x>athway of the fresh waters 

 coming from the large tributaries at the head of the bay, which may 

 produce a more abundant supply of food, although at times these fresh 

 waters may be a source of danger if too long continued. The total area 

 of natural reefs surveyed on this side of the bay was 2,245 acres. 



Only a few days could be given to the examination of Mississippi 

 Sound, which for a distance of 15 miles east and west belongs within 

 the State of Alabama, and detailed observations were, therefore, 

 impossible. This territory merits further attention at an early date, 

 its advantages for oyster cultivation suggesting the utility of a careful 

 investigation. The water area embraced within the State, north of a 

 line extending due west from the western end of Grant Pass, is 

 roughly estimated at 35,000 acres, two- thirds of which has less than 6 

 feet of depth, and the remaining one-third averaging less than 9 feet. 

 That much of that area may be considered suitable for oyster cultiva- 

 tion is borne out by the circumstances that oysters are growing in all 

 parts of it. There may also be added to it no less than 10,000 acres of 

 marsh, which if the occasion should demand might with a comparatively 

 slight outlay for dredging be changed into canals or basins for oj^ster 

 purposes. Little is known of the southern part of the sound, in which 

 the water is of greater depth. 



BEAUFORT, N. C. 



During the late spring and early summer of 1894 observations and 

 experiments relating to the oyster were carried on at Beaufort, N. C, 

 by Mr. O. P. Sigerfoos, of Johns Hopkins University, under the 

 immediate direction of Dr. W. K. Brooks. The plan contemplated the 

 utilization of a tract of tide- water marsh land on the Government 

 reservation at Fort Macon, by the damming of one of the creeks flowing 

 through it, in order to control the supply of water as desired and to test 

 its nutrient value to the oyster. Unfortunately these arrangements 

 could not be perfected, owing to the lateness of the season when the 

 work began, but other experiments respecting the feeding of the species 

 were conducted on a smaller scale and with significant results. 



Although a complete report upon the investigation has not yet been 

 submitted, it may be said that noteworthy progress was made in the 

 attempt to rear oysters from the egg, a subject to which Dr. Brooks 

 has given much attention, but not to the extent of entirely overcoming 

 the difficulties previously existing in that respect. In connection with 



