THE OYSTER INDUSTRY OF NEW JERSEY. 517 



and are operated by hand. TLe size of tlie dredges is limited by law 

 to a tooth bar not exceeding 40 inches in length. The dredge chains, 

 when in use, pass over an iron roller attached to the rail of the vessel. 



Questions affecting the oyster industry of Delaware Bay. — One of the 

 most serious questions afiecting the oyster industry of Maurice Eiver 

 Cove and Delaware Bay at the present time is the depleted condition 

 of the natural oyster-grounds. With the exception of possibly from 

 75,000 to 100,000 bushels of oysters obtained annually from the Chesa- 

 peake Bay for planting purposes, these grounds are the source from 

 which the large quantities of seed oysters necessary to supply the great 

 demand of the business, which has already reached proportions of no 

 inconsiderable magnitude and is still quite rapidly increasing, are 

 obtained. An idea of the rate of increase may be gained from the fact 

 that in 1888 the number of vessels licensed by the oyster association 

 was 385, in 1892 it was 460, and in 1893 it was 480, which is an average 

 increase of nearly 16 vessels per year. While this rate of growth does 

 not seem large, it nevertheless indicates the probability that in ten 

 years, if the conditions continue to be equally favorable, about 160 

 vessels will be added to the fleet, and the demand for seed oysters 

 correspondingly increased. 



Of course there is a limit to the capacity of the resources now being 

 utilized which would preclude the possibility of the indefinite continu- 

 ance of any rate of growth, however small, in the business. The prob- 

 lem seems to be to preserve the proper relations between the supply 

 and demand for seed oysters to an extent that will not only enable the 

 maximum of prosperity to be reached, but also to be thereafter main- 

 tained. 



For the past seventeen years, during the planting season, both the 

 oysters and shells have been dredged from the natural beds in immense 

 quantities. This i)rocess has resulted in lessening their productiveness 

 and diminishing the abundance of seed oysters. While many of the 

 oystermen claim that the crop of natural oysters is as large as it was 

 twenty years ago, the fact that some means should be employed to 

 increase the yield of the natural beds has been gradually forcing itself 

 into recognition. Eecently the two following propositions have been 

 suggested: First, that the State assume control over Delaware Bay 

 and close it for oystering purposes (so far as the natural beds are con- 

 cerned) for a period of from three to five years, or less ; second, that a 

 rough-culling law be enacted, compelling all dredgers to throw the 

 shells taken with the oysters back upon the beds. 



Eegarding the first proposition, there are a number of strong objec- 

 tions on the part of many of the oystermen. One of these objections 

 is that to close the bay would throw about 2,000 men out of employ- 

 ment. It might also be urged that it would do no permanent good if 

 the same destructive and wasteful methods were, at the expiration of 

 the period, to be resumed. 



