REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 21 



causes of the failure of the oysters to reproduce, and to make inves- 

 tigations preliminary to experiments by the Bureau looking to the 

 establishment of self -perpetuating beds in the coastal waters of the 

 state. During a period of about five weeks 59 localities were exam- 

 ined, covering, in general, the entire coast between Portsmouth, 

 X. II., and Rockland, Me. From the data collected it appears that in 

 many of these localities adult oysters would thrive and fatten, but the 

 density and temperature conditions are such that there would be prac- 

 tically no hope of establishing self-perpetuating beds. In many 

 places the temperature is permanently too low; in others it sometimes 

 reaches the minimum at which spawning takes place (about 68° F.), 

 but the fluctuations due to the How and ebb of the tides are too violent. 

 In a few places — for example, about the dam at Alna, in the tidal dam 

 at York Harbor, and in Great Bay, New Hampshire — the conditions 

 appear to be favorable both in degree and constancy, and in the same 

 places and for the same reasons the salinity is also apparently satis- 

 factory. The three places named, however, are deficient in food sup- 

 ply, and 0} T sters planted therein would in all probability never fatten 

 to a degree to give them a good place in the markets. 



In view of the results of this preliminary work, it appears probable 

 that if oyster culture is introduced on the coast of Maine it will be 

 necessary to subdivide the process, raising the young seed oysters in 

 one locality and growing them for market in another. During the 

 ensuing fiscal }^ear the Bureau contemplates undertaking experiments 

 in breeding oysters in some suitable locality in the state. 



Oyster survey of Matagorda Bay, Texas. — Pursuant to a request 

 from the governor of Texas, the Bureau during the past winter and 

 spring made a survey of the oyster beds of that portion of Matagorda 

 Bay lying northeast of Half Moon light, a body of water 39 miles 

 long, with an average width of \\ miles and an approximate area of 

 1-16 square miles. The object of the work was the determination of 

 the character and extent of the natural oyster beds, the locating 

 of the bottom suitable for oyster culture, and the biological and phys- 

 ical features of the bay with special relation to oysters and the oyster 

 industry. The results of the surve} r will be published in a forthcom- 

 ing special report, which will contain charts of the oyster grounds 

 and recommendations looking to the further development of the oyster 

 industry of the region. 



Experiments at Lynnhaven, Ya. — -The oyster-fattening experiments 

 at Lynnhaven have been continued, but the illness and death of the 

 local agent, who has had supervision of the work from its inception, 

 has militated against a successful conclusion. As has been stated in 

 previous reports, the same conditions that are desirable in stimulating 

 the growth of diatoms, the oysters food, are favorable also to the 



