VIRGINIA: OYSTER INDUSTRY. 473 



a respite of four years to these rocks, they would be restored to their status of 1865. Probably 

 the most destructive enemy to the young oyster, while the shell is comparatively soft, is the drum 

 nsh. They come up in large schools, and are also destructive to the soft-shell planted oysters of 

 full size. 



"There is a peculiarity attending the oyster in this section which has never been explained., 

 (Can you give us an elucidation ?) Probably once in a period of ten years the gills of the oysters 

 are marked by a distinct green color, which remains with them nearly or quite a year. This 

 change, 1 think, is general in this locality; yet I think the quality of the oyster is not in the least 

 impaired by this discoloration. After heavy rains in the mountains, the water coming down from 

 the Upper Rappahauuock and Rapidan, being of a red color and thick, has a very bad effect on 

 the oysters of the large rocks; it makes them sick, as the oystermen say, and they lose much of 

 their muscular power, with their mouths open, constantly ejecting the offensive water. Many die 

 after one of these heavy freshets." 



