464 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



The methods and conditions here observed are, in some respects, 

 dissimilar to those of any other State, and there are many i^hases of 

 the subject which afford suggestive information of great value to other 

 States, not only to those in which the artificial production of oysters 

 has recently been taken up, but those in which successful cultivation 

 has long been practiced. 



The paper has been prepared by Mr. Ansley Hall, field agent in the 

 Division of Statistics and Methods of the Fisheries, and is based 

 entirely on original inquiries conducted by him in 1892. In the course 

 of his work he visited every part of the State having an oyster fishery, 

 and made a careful study of the conditions and methods in each locality, 

 giving special attention to the methods of planting and cultivation. 



The oyster industry of the State is here considered by geographical 

 divisions. In each bay, river, county, or center, as the case may be, 

 the subject is discussed with the fullness which the extent of the busi- 

 ness warrants. Detailed statistics covering the years 1889 to 1892 are 

 presented. Mr. Hall's inquiries show that, in 1892, 4,351 persons were 

 directly engaged in the oyster industry of the State; $1,593,892 was 

 invested; and 1,097,228 bushels of marketable oysters were taken, the 

 value of which was $1,220,878. 



Hugh M. Smith, 

 Assistant in charge of Division 

 of Statistics and Methods of the Fisheries. 



