OYSTEE BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OP BILOXI. 21 



Details op Examination of Back Bay, East Bed. 



BACK BAY, WEST BED. 



This bed begins about a quarter of a mile nearly west of the draw 

 in the railroad bridge and stretches along the northern edge of the 

 main channel for a distance of about three-fourths of a mile, its 

 northwestern edge adjoining the boundary stakes of the planted 

 beds. The water varies from less than 3 feet near the eastern end 

 of the bed to about 10 feet at the western edge. Among the beds of 

 Biloxi Bay this is distinguished by the abundance of small oysters. 



The following table summarizes the areas, character of growth, and 

 general condition of the several parts of the bed: 



Oyster Growth in Back B.'^.y, West Bed. 



The area of dense growth is a narrow strip extending nearly the 

 entire length of the bed and for a considerable part of the distance 

 near its northeast edge, forming a ridge covered by very shallow 

 water. It covers about 29 acrea^ and bears an average per acre of 

 214 bushels of market oysters and 279 bushels of small ones. There 

 are about three small oysters to each one over 3 inches long. The 

 stock is generally of poor shape and quality and badly clustered. 

 The area of scattering growth lies between the eastern edge of the 

 preceding and the margin of the bed. There is a fair quantity of the 

 larger oysters but a dearth of small ones. 



9275^—13 -61 



