NATURAL OYSTER BEDS OF DELAWARE. 



11 



SAND BED. 



Sand bod lies nearly north of the Ridge and northeast of Silver bed, 

 being separated from the latter by a distance of about one-third of a 

 mile. It covers an area of about 54 acres, of which 16 acres are cov- 

 ered by a dense growth of oysters and 11 acres by a scattering 

 growth, the remaining 27 acres being depleted. 



The productive bottom forms a zone along the inner edge of the 

 bed, the southern and middle portions bearing the denser growth. 

 The depleted bottom occupies the outer half of the bed. It is esti- 

 mated that the bed contained about 4,600 bushels of oysters of all 

 sizes at the time of examination, and that of these 3,700 bushels were 

 on the area of dense growth, 700 bushels on the very scattered growth, 

 and 200 bushels on the depleted bottom. Oysters over 3 inches long 

 preponderated on the productive portions of the bed, but were inferior 

 in quantity on the depleted area. 



The oysters are superior in shape to those found on the bars north 

 of this, being in smaller clusters and rounder. Dead oysters were 

 comparatively few, and no indications of the drill were noted. 



Several boats were observed working on Sand bed during the latter 

 part of June, and it is reported that the bed was dredged to some 

 extent earlier in the season. 



The following examinations were made: 



Details of Examinations of Sand Bed. 



LEIPSIC ROCK. 



This is a small but exceedingly prolific bed lying in the mouth of 

 Leipsic Creek within one-eighth of a mile of the shore. It is approxi- 

 mately circular in outline and consists of about 4 acres of very dense 

 growth. It is estimated that the bed bears' nearly 3,000 bushels of 

 oysters, practically none of which is over 3 inches in length, and it 

 is probable that it represents a recent rejuvenescence of an old bed. 

 There is a deep deposit of shells forming the core of the bed, but 

 around the edges this is covered by a deposit of mud which appears 

 to be encroaching on and causing a gradual contraction of the pro- 

 ductive area. It is probable that the oysters are subject to peri- 

 odical destruction from fresh water and mud carried by freshets. 



