THE OYSTER INDUSTRY OF NEW JERSEY. 493 



thus render the circulation of the inside waters more shiggish than 

 they would be with freer intercourse with the sea is highly favorable 

 to the growth of the eelgrass and correspondingly unfavorable to that 

 of the oysters. It is claimed that the grass has extended its area more 

 rapidly since 1880, and for two or three years immediately preceding, 

 than was before noticeable, and that the oysters which have been 

 planted have not yielded so large an increase. 



An example which illustrates the rate of growth under favorable 

 conditions, and, at the same time, the damaging effects of the eelgrass, 

 was furnished by a planter operating in Lakes Bay. In 1877 he planted 

 on a small piece of ground, wliich he estimated to be not more than 

 half an acre, 625 bushels of native seed oysters, at a cost, including the 

 expense of planting, of 30 cents per bushel, amounting to $187.50. They 

 were taken up for market in the fall of 1879 after remaining on the 

 ground two years, and were found to have yielded 1,176 bushels of 

 marketable oysters, which were sold at $1.25 per bushel, aggregating 

 $1,470. In the same fall the ground was again planted with the same 

 kind and quantity of seed (625 bushels), at a cost of 50 cents per bushel, 

 or a total of $312.50. This crop was harvested in 1881, after lying 

 the same length of time as the former one, and yielded 928 bushels of 

 oysters for market, which were sold at $1,25 per bushel, or a total of 

 $1,160. In the spring of 1881 the ground was agaiu planted with 665 

 bushels of native seed, costing 35 cents per bushel, or $232.75. During 

 the two ensuing years the eelgrass completely covered the ground and 

 destroyed all the oysters. The ground has since been valueless, though 

 it had previously been estimated to be worth not less than $1,000. 



Eelgrass becomes especially irijurious to the beds from the fact that 

 it facilitates the accumulation of sediment at the bottom. It has the 

 effect of keeping the water calm and thus allowing large quantities of 

 sea cabbage, mud, and various sorts of debris to settle down upon the 

 oysters and smother them. 



It is claimed by the oystermen that the oysters (native seed) do not 

 grow so rapidly nor yield so aljundantly as they did formerly. It was 

 not unusual in earlier years for planters to receive a largely increased 

 number of bushels as the result of planting, while at present it is sel- 

 dom that they take up a greater quantity than they plant. The profits 

 of the business are said to arise from theincreaseof the oysters in value 

 rather than in quantity. It used to be customary to allow them to lie 

 on the grounds about two years, but it has now become necessary to 

 extend the period to three years, and sometimes longer. From the time 

 the oysters are i)lan ted until they are taken up for market they are in 

 constant danger of being destroyed. During the first year they fre- 

 quently (as near as can be determined) double in quantity. In the 

 second and third years a large i^roportion of them die, so that for the 



