920 



REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



[8] 



contracts after 1890, so that they may hold them nntil March 31, 1915, 

 In fntnre this area will yield the Government an annual revenue of 

 363,270 florins [$146,034.54]. 



This shows that the Dutch, in spite of the decrease in the oyster yield 

 in 1882, are by no means discouraged, but that, on the contrary, there 

 is the most lively competition for vacant portions, it being generally 

 considered an exceedingly good investment. It should also be remem- 

 bered that the Dutch, through an experience of fifteen years, have gained 

 a very thorough knowledge of every portion of this area, and by their 

 innate business tact and thrift have learned to appreciate its value and 

 the excellence of the methods employed in oyster-culture. This also 

 explains the enormous difference in the rents fiom 1870 to 1885. I may 

 mention, by way of illustration, that the rent for lot No. 362 (12 acres) 

 in 1870 was 1 florin [40.2 cents] per annum, while the rent paid at the 

 last auction was 2,425 florins [$974.85]. In 1870 lot 163 (same size) 

 rented for 1 florin ; but from 1885 on the rent will be 2,725 florins 

 [$1,105.45]. Lot Xo. 176 (same size) in 1870 rented for 270 florins, 

 [$108.54], but at the last auction it was rented for 6,100 florins 

 [$2,452.20]. Lot No. 138 (12 acres) rose in price from 222 florins [$89.24] 

 in 1870 to 9,150 florins [$3,678.30] per annum. The rents for other lots 

 have advanced or declined according to their value for oyster-culture 

 as shown in the past. 



The following table will show the sale of oysters during the different 

 months of the year : 



* Equals 21,844,672 oysters. t Equals 15, 632,450 oysters. 



In the year 1882 there were exported from the Netherlands to — 



I visited the more important places on the Schelde, such as Tholen, 

 Serg-op-Zoom, Ijerseke, Ijersekendara, and Wemeldinge, in order to 



