NATIONAL FISHERY CONGRESS. 301 



ness of the labor, the exceedingly limited character of their business in every respect, 

 the utter want of scientific or practical knowledge of oyster-culture possessed by 

 them, the acquisition of such sums in so short a time is marvelous. And yet when we 

 consider their manner of life and their immense profits, hereafter shown, it is easily 

 comprehended. They " squat" on any lands, public or private, for which they pay no 

 rent. Hitherto they have paid no rent or taxes of any kind. They pay nothing tor 

 their oysters if they toiij; them themselves. They subsist on fish, which arc plentiful 

 and easily caught at all seasons, supplemented with poultry, which they raise, and 

 game of all kinds, which abounds at proper seasons. In some cases they reclaim a 

 portion of the marsh land in the neighborhood of their cabins by filling it in and culti- 

 vating vegetables thereon. During the " close" season, when only a small quantity 

 of oysters are illegally or surreptitiously marketed, they engage in other profitable pur- 

 suits. Their expenses are almost nil, outside of a small account for store provisions 

 and rough clothing, and their proceeds are almost clear profit. 



In addition to the sale and shipment of fresh oysters, large profits have been 

 realized by the canneries, which have been established from time to time; but as 

 the oyster supply in their neighborhood has been diminished by indiscriminate and 

 unseasonable fishing, and as the prices have increased, some of these establishments 

 have removed to more favorable and lower-priced localities where their materials could 

 be purchased almost on their own terms. The canned oysters shipped from Louisiana 

 until recently have always been of the poorest and cheapest quality, subjected to the 

 "bloating" process by continued ''floating" in fresh water, and then canned by some 

 imperfect process which imparts to them an unpleasant and " woody " taste. All 

 these practices have combined to give Louisiana oysters an unfavorable reputation in 

 markets outside of the State, though when properly prepared connoisseurs have pro- 

 nounced them equal, if not superior, to the best of Chesapeake Bay or those of any 

 of the other eastern fisheries. 



If we turn from this primitive, loose, and careless method in which the oyster 

 industry of Louisiana is at present carried on, and compare it with the skill, industry, 

 and science with which the industry is conducted in the Eastern States and in 

 Europe, and then consider the vast area that the Louisiana oyster-grounds present, 

 the warm waters of the Gulf, the richness of the food, and the numerous other 

 superior advantages which their situs affords, there dawns before us a field for 

 investment, with such rich returns therefrom, as is scarcely presented anywhere else 

 in the wide world in this or any other employment of men and money. 



Let us for a moment illustrate the enormous profit accruing to these primitive 

 planters and luggermeu. A bank barrel of coon oysters will, when transplanted for 

 six or eight months, increase to 1 barrels by reason of growth. The coon oysters 

 can be obtained free from the natural beds at no cost except the price of labor. If 

 purchased, they cost 30 cents per barrel. This 1 barrels is sold to the luggermen at 

 from $1 to $2 per barrel at the plant beds. When the luggerman sells at the city 

 market he obtains from $3 to $4 per market barrel, 2 bank barrels making 3 market 

 barrels. Thus the bank barrel of fish which the luggerman has bought at $2 brings 

 him 1 barrels (market), or from $4.50 to $C per bank barrel. If the planter himself 

 ships he would obtain $6.00 for what he has paid 30 cents, or obtained for nothing 

 if he fished for them. The same would be relatively true, only with a smaller amount 

 of profit, where natural oysters are transplanted and so kept a few weeks simply to 

 improve their condition by fattening before shipping. 



