226 FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [42] 



by exposing them to fresh water for a short period is prevalent. The 

 planting of Southern (Chesapeake or Virginia) stock is mostly confined 

 to the Cape May district and Delaware Bay, and most of the plants 

 come from the seacoast, about Chincoteague. The regulations govern- 

 ing the fishery are made by the towns or counties, and generally permit 

 the leasing, for limited periods, of small areas to residents only. The 

 State law prohibits the use of the dredge and pre-emption of natural 

 beds. 



In the Delaware Bay the law permits the leasing of larger areas and 

 the use of the dredge. Dredging vessels are licensed at $1 per ton. A 

 "collector" and "special officer", who execute the laws and collect dues 

 and fines, are elected by the persons leasing oyster lots. One-half the 

 money from licenses, property sold, and fines goes to the "oyster fund," 

 which is devoted to paying the expenses of guarding the leased beds. 

 The "seed" for these tracts comes usually from the natural beds, but 

 some is also imported from the Chesapeake and Virginia seacoast. 



Delaware. — The natural oyster beds of this State lie on the western 

 side of Delaware Bay, and, though formerly very productive, do not now 

 yield a large crop. Probably 500 acres comprises the total productive 

 area. The State law permits the pre-emption of tracts of 15 acres of " free 

 bottom" for $25. Natural beds are exempted, and citizens of the State 

 alone are permitted to "plant" oysters. An oyster guard-boat is pro- 

 vided, with officers and crew, and regulations governing the close-time, 

 night-fishing, &c, are enforced. The natural beds are worked contin- 

 uously for "seed," but the major portion of the "planted" oysters come 

 from the Chesapeake. The oysters are culled as dredged, but the " seed" 

 and small oysters are transferred to the "idle- ground," a tract where 

 " seed " is growing, instead of being thrown back on the planted bed. 

 The plantations are located off Little Creek Landing, and no natural 

 beds legally exist, south of a line drawn eastward from Mahon Biver, 

 except in less than 3 feet of water. 



Maryland. — The oyster business of this State is practically confined 

 to dredging the natural beds that exist to an enormous extent in Chesa- 

 peake Bay and its tributaries. There is little or no planting or cultiva- 

 tion, the natural areas having in the past supplied all the demands ; but 

 of late those areas are becoming much exhausted, and the diminished 

 quantity and quality of the oysters is causing great complaint. 



The laws which govern the fishery are, briefly, as follows: Dredging 

 is allowed from October 1 to May 1. Taking of oysters in other ways 

 from September 1 to May 1. Dredging is not allowed in the rivers or 

 creeks, or in their mouths. No steam dredges are allowed. All dredgers 

 and " tongers" must be licensed. Violations of the law are punished by 

 not more than two years imprisonment nor $200 fine. For the enforce- 

 ment of these regulations there is established a State fishery force, con- 

 sisting of one steamer and several small sloops. The officers of this fish- 

 ery force and the sheriffs and constables of the different counties are em- 

 powered to make arrests and enforce the law. 



