VIRGINIA: OYSTER INDUSTRY. 469 



GENERAL SUMMARY. The grand totals of the trade of the Chesapeake Bay are as follows : 



Jfitmber of bushels of oysters cavijlit and the ilgposition made of them. 



Xnmbcr of people tuijiujid in the trade tend llnir euriiiiign and wayes. 



The total value of all oysters caught in the bay, as sold from first hands, is about $4,000,000. 

 The product of the packing houses, which are, of course, classed as manufacturing industries, was 

 valued at $4,610,995 for the year ending May 31, 1880. 



PLANTING. The natural beds of the Chesapeake Bay are so very extensive and productive 

 that they have hitherto been able to stand the immense drain annually made upon them, and thus 

 the necessity for cultivating oysters has never been forcibly impressed upon the oystermen of 

 either Maryland or Virginia, although in the latter State this branch of the business is gradually 

 attracting increased attention. In Maryland there are comparatively few planters. The time is 

 rapidly coining when, to supply the constantly increasing demand, it will be absolutely necessary 

 for the oystermen to engage in the cultivation of oysters. The beds are being depleted, and it is 

 yearly becoming more difficult to obtain oysters enough to meet the wants of packers. Fine 

 oysters especially are getting very scarce, and it is often impossible to obtain them at any price. 

 One of the largest packers of Baltimore was compelled, during the winter of 1879-'80, to employ 

 an agent in New York to purchase fine oysters for orders which could not be filled in the former 

 city. About 1,000,000 oysters were bought by the agent and shipped from New York to the points 

 from which the orders came. 



