OYSTER-BEDS OF LOUISIANA. 69 



probable. Nearly every old shell on these reefs bore young, and many 

 of them were completely covered by oysters from 1 to 3 inches long. 



In their present crowded state it is not likely that these will develop 

 into good oysters, either as regards shape or condition, for as they 

 increase in size many of them will be killed by the growth and crowd- 

 ing of their fellows, and the remainder will show in their poorness and 

 irregularity the bad effects of their severe straggle for existence. 



It would be of great advantage to have some of the superfluous 

 oysters removed. If half of those now on the beds were taken up, the 

 clusters brokeu, and the single oysters planted on suitable bottom, 

 there would result not only an improvement in those planted, but also 

 in those left upon the beds. This is one of the instances where it 

 would be advisable to depart from a general policy of prohibition of 

 the removal of small oysters from the natural reefs. Some of these 

 oysters were taken to the planting-grounds west of the river while the 

 canal was still open, subsequently to the crevasse; but that avenue is 

 now cut off, and the voyage around the Delta is so long as to make it 

 more advantageous for the planters to go to Timbalier for their seed. 

 It is not at all unlikely, however, that planting could be carried on 

 with some advantage on the east side of the river, where it is now 

 extremely limited in extent. 



South of Bird Island the heavy discharge of fresh water from Cubits 

 Gap so reduces the normal salinity as to prevent the growth of oysters, 

 and in Garden Island Bay, where natural reefs formerly existed, the 

 oysters were exterminated by the Pass a Loutre crevasse. The only 

 natural reefs now existing in the vicinity of the Delta are a small one 

 in East Bay and another in West Bay, near Southwest Pass. 



West of the Mississippi River the natural reefs of Plaquemines Par- 

 ish are limited in extent and of but little importance as compared with 

 the planting interests. There are a few oysters of volunteer growth in 

 August Bayou and in Cyprian Bay. In Chi Charas Bay there are said 

 to be several reefs, which give employment for a term each season 

 to from 30 to 40 boats. These beds are overfished, and are said to have 

 decreased greatly during recent years, although it is probable that they 

 were never very extensive. 



In Bayou Cook the natural beds were long ago exhausted, and in 

 Bay Adam? where there were originally a number of reefs, practically 

 no oysters are now taken from them, although occasionally some are 

 caught. In Bastian Bay there are still some natural reefs from which 

 oysters are taken each season, but these also are said to be much less 

 productive than formerly, and doubtless will before long become 

 extinct. 



In that part of Barataria Bay lying within the limits of Plaquemines 

 Parish there are now no productive natural reefs, and even the rem- 

 nants of those previously existing are fast disappearing through the 

 destruction and dissolution of the dead shells. 



