

40 



ice to ground upon them at any time; but those beds in shoal water (of about one fathom), and 

 the planted beds, which are generally in less, are subjected to both evils. The effect of gales and 

 ice in Pocomoke Sound seems to be less than that in Tangier Sound, in consequence of its less 

 extent and smaller area. 



GENERAL INFORMATION GIVEN BY OTSTEKMBN. 



The following information is that derived from the answers to the questions propounded to 

 the fishermen and others. 



All the oystermen and dealers that were encountered during the season, so far as was possible, 

 were interrogated. That wliich was not pertinent to the subject, or evidently influenced by self- 

 interest or other considerations, has been excluded. 



There has been no material change of the channel within the memory of the oldest fishermen, 

 nor have they ever found oysters in the deep water of the main channels of either Sound. With 

 regard to the improvement or deterioration of the beds, it was the general opinion that the beds 

 had been much extended in size, that the quality of the oysters had improved, both as to size and 

 flavor, but that the number on the beds had been very materially diminished, so much so, that it 

 was hardly profitable to work on some of the beds. About thirty years back, the large beds in 

 the Sound were not known to the fishermen and when first discovered and worked, the oysters 

 were in clusters, long and thin valved and of poor quality, though very numerous and easily taken. 

 Since their discovery, and especially during the last ten years, the beds have been greatly over- 

 worked and the number of oysters much lessened. 



Formerly, the best oysters were found on the Terrapin Sands, and there were none on the sands 

 inshore of the beds; now the finest oysters in the Sounds are found on the sands bordering on the 

 beds and are considered better than any in the general market. All the beds have been much 

 extended by dredging, especially the Bird Rock in Pocomoke Sound and the Great Rock in Tangier 

 Sound, the former being two-thirds larger than when first discovered, and the three rocks, of which 

 Great Rock was originally composed, having been dragged into one continuous bed. Though thus 

 extended, it was the opinion that there were not as many oysters on the beds at present as were 

 found on the smaller areas. In Fishing Bay, at the northern extreme of Tangier Sound, though 

 the beds as a whole had deteriorated, during the last four years there had been some improvement 

 on account of a more rigid observance of "close time." 



The cause assigned for the deterioration, and even the admittance of the fact, depended very 

 much upon the occupation of the informant. The tongers, or those who pursued the fishery with 

 tongs alone, were unanimous in laying the deterioration to excessive dredging, while the dredgers, 

 or those owning pungies or other vessels employed exclusively with the dredge, while they admit- 

 ted the decrease in the number of oysters, laid such decrease to the action of natural and unex- 

 plained causes, arguing that the evident extension of the beds and improvement of the oysters, due 

 to dredging, was sufficient to prove its good rather than ill effects. 



With regard to the effect of ice in cold weather, every one coincided in the opinion that the 

 oysters in deep water were most affected and those in shoal or brackish water were least so. In 

 the same depths and character of water, those oysters about the edges of "muddy rocks" and 

 close to muddy channels or sloughs were most affected by the cold or a severe freeze. After the 

 latter event the packers distinguish the deep water oyster by its dark, slimy appearance, and decline 

 it, though at the same time shoal-water oysters are in good order and are accepted. With regard 

 to the quality of the animals, those in the Sounds were considered finer than those in the creeks 

 and rivers, and of the different beds those from the Shark's Fin, Teirapin Sands, and Bird Beds 

 were considered superior. Regarding flavor alone, those from the salt water were the best, and 

 generally the Salter the water the better the flavor. 



With regard to an increased freshness of water, due to freshets and heavy rains, it was the 

 general opinion that during the winter season it was not of much consequence, but that in spring 

 or summer heavy rains or freshets were very beneficial, especially in the spawning season, hasten- 

 ing its advent and shortening its duration. An increased freshness of water alw ays fattened the 

 oysters. Oysters in salt water were always poor, and oysters were generally poorer after a dry 



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