14 



OYSTER BOTTOMS OP MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA, 



The dense growth covers about 75 per cent of the total area, and 

 either constitutes the entirety of the several beds or forms a center 

 fringed by less dense areas, as shown in the chart. 



The oysters are in clusters containing a fair proportion of large 

 individuals. In the areas of dense growth, the market oysters exceed, 

 numerically and in volume, the young under 3 inches in length, but 

 on the less densely populated parts of the beds young oysters prepon- 

 derate over the old ones. The depth of water over the areas of dense 

 growth varies from 6 to 8^ feet and on the adjacent less dense parts 

 of the beds it is usually a foot or two deeper. 



A few drills were found here and some dead oysters, but in general 

 the beds seem to be in good condition and capable of producmg a 

 good supply of oysters of indifferent quality. The market oysters 

 on tliis and Kings Bayou and Cedar Point Reefs ran about 300 to 

 the bushel, and it required over 700 of the small oysters under 3 

 inches in length to fill the same measure. 



The following examinations were made: 



Details op Examination of Buoy Reef. 



