186 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
waters, and some of the Baltimore packers established houses in that 
State. The new Maryland “cul! law,” requiring the return to the water 
of all oysters less than 24 inches in length, materially reduced the out- 
put and was the principal cause of the scarcity of oysters for shucking 
purposes. 
The oyster-packing industry of Norfolk and the adjacent city of 
Portsmouth had the following extent in the calendar year 1890. The 
season of 1890-91 was not over at the time of the inquiry, and no statis- 
ties for that time could be obtained; it is known, however that the 
business was considerably larger than is shown by the figures. 
INALID DEY OL HOLT INS 2 aia cs a cieseiainie arsine nate cale a miejotrahain ame ate a's miata eee ees 24 
Nomber ofremploy 68s cs 2552 = ecoccme t= qos eee ete Sash eaeee ee eens 1, 605 
Value of buildings, machinery,-tools, etc. .-......-.-..-2-----2---- $308, 125 
Gesbicapiballane. «sere ae ete saltiness eee $94, 800 
Doses OMOysters OUP Wb maces oan e cece Shee eee oe a eer 1, 897, 871 
Costiot-same Ss. -2h2222 hs 22.82 25-28 Peete Boas Se eck ae ces eee eee $1, 043, 829 
COStOL- OpenIny ane DAC KINO naan sce one ae eats ee eee mere $317, 060 
Gallons jofishocked oystersisold>- = 2-4. 22h reig jose eee. ae oye 1, 885, 307 
Walt TEGelV Od Ss < co asccas oct = eae ease ee eee aee seer ea casnee eae $1, 454, 572 
Gross' profits of they trades.) . ckisc.sssccehnclsageesccscedesee ce eafteees $93, 683 
During tlie year 1890 the average price paid by the packers for the oys- 
ters utilized was between 50 and 60 cents a bushel. The shucked oysters 
had an average value of $1.05 a gallon, the latter measure representing 
about 12 bushels. ; 
While at Norfolk, the methods of oyster-culture pursued in Lynn 
Haven River were studied, and a knowledge was acquired of the con- 
ditions to which the celebrated oysters there reared are subject. Lynn 
Haven River empties into the Chesapeake Bay about 5 miles from 
Cape Henry and 12 miles in an air line from Norfolk. The river has 
two main arms and extends inland for about 5 miles. On the east it is 
connected by an exceedingly long and narrow thoroughfare with Broad 
Bay, which, in turn, joins Linkhorn Bay. Owing to the very slight 
rise of tide which occurs in these bays, they can not be utilized for 
planting purposes, as the oysters will not fatten and thrive under such 
conditions, and they simply serve as natural seed beds. The river has 
long been the scene of oyster-raising, and of late has come into promi- 
nent notice on account of the fine grade of oysters that have been 
shipped from this place, known to the trade as “Lynn Haven Bays,” 
or “ Lynn Havens,” which deservedly rank among the finest stock now 
placed on the market. As early as seventy-five years ago oysters were 
planted in the river, and the business may be considered to have been 
permanently established fifty years ago, since which time it has grad. 
ually inereased in extent and importance. 
The fresh-water streams emptying into the Lynn Haven River are 
of small size and do not carry a sufficient volume of water to affect, 
except in a minor degree, the salinity of the river, which is said to be 
almost as pronounced as that of the adjoining waters of the Chesapeake 
Bay. Conditions exist apparently favorable to the development of 
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