84 



FISHERIES OF THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES. 



Statement, by Counties, op the Bow-net Catch in the Shore Fisheries op 



Maryland in 1904. 



NOTES AND DETAILED STATISTICS OF PRINCIPAL FISHERIES. 



Oyster. — In addition to the prolific waters of Chesapeake Bay 

 Maryland has important oyster grounds in Tangier Sound and in the 

 Potomac, Choptank, Nanticoke, and Patuxent rivers. Dredging is 

 the method of oystering followed in the open waters of the bay, 

 but oysters from the rivers are mostly tonged. 



Since 1901 the yield of oysters has decreased more than 22 per 

 cent in quantity and 20 per cent in value. The decrease in quantity 

 has been continuous for several years, but 1904 is the first year 

 recording diminished value, a condition attributed by many to the 

 two consecutive cold winters, by which many oysters are said to have 

 been killed. In a few localities the oysters were covered with a 

 growth of mussels, which considerably reduced their market value; 

 and in Wicomico and Dorchester counties oysters on private beds failed 

 to fatten, in many cases remaining unfit for market during the entire 

 season. 



The oyster-planting business in Somerset County shows a decided 

 improvement since 1901. In this locality most of the oysters on pri- 

 vate beds are raised from spat collected upon oyster shells deposited on 

 the grounds. The same practice is followed in Dorchester and Wico- 

 mico counties, but not to the same extent, most of the supply there 

 being raised from seed oysters brought from the Potomac River. 

 Baltimore, Cambridge, and Crisfield continue to support very exten- 

 sive oyster-shucking establishments. The prosperity of Cambridge 

 especially depends upon this trade. The following table shows the 

 extent of the oyster fishery of Maryland during the season of 1904-5. 



