MASSACHUSETTS: BOSTON DISTRICT. 



201 



was not at first a regular and systematic tbing. The bedding-grounds were usually in the Charles, 

 Mystic, Maiden, and Pines Elvers, often above the bridges, or on the Winthrop shore. Later all 

 the dealers bedded on the South Boston flats, which arc now being wholly filled up by the New 

 York and New England Railway. There was a large, oval, bare space here, occupied by all the 

 dealers in the city, who had it regularly divided. Mr. J. IT. Wiley's father's portion was at the 

 extreme end, and was bounded by eel-grass. He experimented by putting oysters over, upon, and 

 among the eel-grass, and found that they did far better than those on the open flat, which had 

 been occupied for a long time, and ebbed dry. Mr. Wiley supposed that the reason was, that it 

 was new ground, from which fresh and plenteous nourishment was to be derived. The grass af- 

 forded so much protection, also, that many oysters used to survive the winter. 



"At present (1S79-'SO) the only vessels, so far as I could learn, registered in Boston and en- 

 gaged in the oyster-carrying trade, are the following schooners, all the property of a single firm: 



"2. PRESENT CONDITION OF THE OYSTER BUSINESS. Another great change from ancient 

 methods of conducting the business h as been caused by the introduction of opened oysters from 

 Norfolk. These are received twice a week (Tuesdays and Fridays) by steamer direct from Norfolk, 

 and on other days, to a less extent, by steamer from Norfolk to New York, and thence by railway. 

 In the neighborhood of 250,000 gallons were thus handled in Boston during the winter of 1879-'80, 

 for they come only between September and April. They are shipped in barrels and kegs. The 

 effect of this innovation has been very marked upon the trade; whether for good or ill there are 

 two opposite opinions, the general verdict being that this feature works against the best interests 

 of the trade. In their favor, it is said, in general, that they can be sold cheaper than any other 

 oysters, and hence are accessible to the poorer class of people ; that they are as good as the cargo- 

 oysters, and that in the increased number sold is compensation for the diminished percentage of 

 profit. I will quote some opinions expressed to me iu this direction: 



"The Boston Oyster Company considered the innovation of Norfolk opened oysters not unfa- 

 vorable to business generally, although hurtful to the cargo-trade. Although higher profits were 

 received five or six years ago, three times as many gallons are sold now as then, and hence dealers 

 can afford to take less. Selling more cheaply a grade of goods equal to the old stock opened here, 

 they give better satisfaction and sell more. There is less risk, also, than with cargoes, in which 

 they had relinquished large dealings. They washed all their oysters from Norfolk carefully, and 

 had heard no complaint of ill-health resulting from eating them. 



"The Chesapeake Oyster Company deal almost wholly in opened oysters, and believe iu the 

 Norfolk trade, for the same reason as given iu the report of the ' Boston' company, and say that, 

 with their refrigerator barrels, they have no trouble with warm-weather losses. One of the advan- 

 tages of this new business is, that a man can begin it with small means, since the stock may be 

 procured in quantities as small, or large, as desired. 



"E. E. Higgins thought the oysters opened in Norfolk as good by the time they got here as 

 those of the same grade opened here out of cargoes. He used them largely, and had opened a 

 branch house in Norfolk in order to compete with Norfolk shippers on their own ground. By 

 sendiug to his customers full packages, he avoided the complaints against the Virginia shippers, 



