NATURAL, OYSTER BEDS OF DELAWARE. 



15 



looking for theni. But three of these places were examined in detail, 

 and their location may be determined by an inspection of the chart . 

 One of them was about 3 acres in extent and was estimated to con- 

 tain about 2,500 bushels of long, sharp-edged oysters in large clus- 

 ters, growing on a soft, muddy bottom. The other two spots exam- 

 ined bore a very scattering growth. The largest of these, about one- 

 fourth mile inshore of the upper end of Drum bed, was estimated 

 to be about 8 acres in extent and to contain about 300 bushels of 

 oysters. The other, just south of the middle of Silver bed, has an 

 area of about 4 acres and contained at the time of examination about 

 120 bushels of oysters. 



The five areas located but not examined varied in extent from 

 about 1 to 14 acres, and are situated variously. They are shown on 

 the chart as unshaded places surrounded by red lines. Judging 

 from the chain readings none of them is particularly productive. 



The following observations were made in this region: 



Details of Examinations op Lumps between Silver and Ridge Reds. 



DRUM BED. 



Drum bed lies west of and very close to the depleted edge of the 

 ridge and about 1 mile from shore. It has a length of over one-half 

 mile, a width of about one-fourth mile, and a total area of approxi- 

 mately 68 acres. Its condition and the relative extent of oyster 

 growths of the several degrees of productiveness are shown in the 

 following table: 



Oyster Growth on Drum Bed. 



