OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI SOUND, ALA. 



45 



tongs will not always take up all oysters within their grasp, and as 

 the foregoing estimates are based primarily on the area of bottom 

 covered by a "grab" and the number of oysters taken therein, the 

 actual density of growth is somewhat greater than shown. Where 

 the oysters do not lie so thickly this is not true. 



On some of the beds, notably Buoy Reef, Grants Pass, Pass aux 

 Herons, and Redfish Gully, oystering had been carried on for a 

 month or two prior to the examination, and the survey therefore 

 disclosed fewer oysters than had been on the beds at the beginning 

 of the season. Moreover, the bushel as measured by the survey 

 party contains probably at least 30 per cent more oysters than the 

 ordinary market bushel, as to secure uniformity in the case of the 

 former the oysters are culled and the clusters broken to singles and 

 doubles and carefully packed in the measure. 



Of less immediate importance, but greater potential significance 

 than the marketable oysters, are the young ones. Upon them depends 

 the future of the fishery. A bed with a large number of healthy 

 young, not unduly subject to accident, is an asset of more value than 

 a bed of old oysters whose future is imperiled by a deficiency of spat. 

 That in this respect the principal beds covered by the survey are in 

 good condition is shown by the following table: 



Summarized Content op Young Oysters on Public Beds. 



