Conditions in the Northern Field 203 



busy in dredging and carrying oysters to the shucking 

 houses and shipping centers. 



There are several large markets and distributing cen- 

 ters in the northern field. Chief among these are New 

 Haven and New York. In the former city are the 

 establishments of fifty dealers, who together own thirty 

 thousand acres of planted ground in the state of Con- 

 necticut, and control an area equally great in Rhode 

 .Island and New York. 



Many oysters fresh from the water are shipped un- 

 opened to nearly all parts of the United States. The 

 greater number are opened at the packing houses. Some 

 of the larger companies are able to ship nearly a thou- 

 sand gallons of " meats " in a day. These are washed, 

 cooled, and sent out in barrels or tubs in a perfectly 

 fresh condition. 



Packers have learned that their business depends 

 largely on extreme cleanliness. Dirty receptacles used 

 in preparing or shipping oysters make certain their 

 early loss. Consequently barrels, tubs, or pails returned 

 to the dealers are most thoroughly cleaned and coated 

 inside with a water-proof preparation that of itself does 

 much to insure cleanliness. 



New York City, also, is a large distributing point, 

 and the West Washington market, on the Hudson River, 

 has become its center. It is thus described by one of the 

 state Oyster Commissioners : " On the river side of 

 the market there is an enclosed basin where boats may 

 be secure while unloading their cargoes of shell-fish. 

 The unique and commodious house-boats which are 

 moored to the docks are picturesque objects, quite 

 familiar to residents of the city. These barges are really 

 two-story houses, built upon scows or floats with ex- 



