41 



season. Planted oysters above Pig- Point and the Old Bocks, in Pocomoke Sound0have been 

 known to die from absorbing too ruuch fresh water, and those on the Old Rocks have sometimes 

 suffered from the same cause; but this only occurs during heavy freshets. 



With regard to the depth of water and character of bottom, shallow water was preferred, and 

 sticky mud or mud and sand, about six inches in thickness over a hard substratum, was considered 

 the best, though a larger amount of mud did not matter, provided it was not so soft as to allow 

 the oysters to sink in it aud had a strong current over it. 



The oysters were said to feed on the flood tide, having their bills open then and at no other 

 time. No one had noticed any enemies or animals that preyed upon the oysters, and all seemed 

 to be ignorant of the drills and their destructive effects. 



The oysters are "culled," that is, they are separated from the old shells and other debris, while 

 the boat or vessel is on or near the bed. Everything except the oysters is thrown back, sometimes 

 striking the bed and as often the mud. The young oysters under a year and a half in growth and 

 less than two inches long are also thrown back. 



All persons interrogated were of the opinion that at least 75 per cent, of the oysters on a bed 

 are taken off each year, and that no more than 50 per cent, should be removed. Off the beds near 

 Haine's Point, at least 100,000 bushels, or about 20,000,000 oysters, were taken in the season of 

 1878. Off the Great Eock, about 100,000 bushels, were taken by one hundred boats in October and 

 November of 1877. The oysters on the rock at the end of November were so scarce that but a very 

 small number of boats could And profitable work on the bed. In the spring about 75,000 bushels 

 more were taken up and sent north, aud as the oysters were small, they amounted to probably 

 15,000,000 at least. Exclusive, then, of the fishing done during the winter months, in one season it 

 is estimated that 30,000,000 of oysters were removed from one bed alone. 



Nearly all the oystermen advocated a " close time," either from April 1 or May 1 to October 

 1; many considered a prolongation until November 1, and an entire rest every other year, would 

 be beneficial. 



With regard to transplanting the oyster and its transportation, all experienced persons were 

 of the 'opinion that delicacy of handling, and freedom from jars, concussions, and shocks of any , 

 kind were desirable. Oysters when under hatches -have very frequently been killed by heavy 

 thunder storms and firing of guns. Any concussion or sudden shock will prove destructive if the 

 animals are in a confined space. Oysters taken up during the summer are much more susceptible 

 to injury from this cause than those obtained during the winter. 



Oysters are transplanted at any and all seasons, but generally in the spring and autumn. 

 Oysters obtained by the use of the "tongs" are preferred to those dredged, and generally those 

 taken either before or after the spawning season are most desirable. The dredged oysters are apt 

 to be broken about the bills and will die on the planting grounds sooner and in larger numbers 

 than the "tonged" ones. Those oysters planted about the Sounds are generally obtained from 

 "tongers," but those sent to the north, being in such large numbers, are usually dredged. The 

 size and age of the oysters to be transplanted depend on whether they are for early consumption 

 or not. If the former, the larger and older the better, but in the latter case young oysters, from 

 one to two years old, are preferred. Generally any and all oysters are taken, without regard to 

 age or size. The oysters for the northern planting grounds are usually taken up as soon as ice 

 clears away and are used during the spring. Those transplanted in the Sound are taken up later 

 in the spring, or during the early summer or autumn months, and used during the following winter. 

 Blunt-nosed oysters, with thick shells, do not thrive on the planting grounds. A change of bottom 

 in transplanting oysters is not considered of so much importance as a change of water. The 

 planted beds should be laid at the mouths of creeks and rivers having a rapid current. The bottom 

 best for natural beds was considered best for planted ones. 



The spawning season was said to be from May until August, inclusive, though most of the 

 spawning was done in June and July. All opinions coincided that the oyster in shoal water 

 spawned first, but differed as to whether, the depth being the same, all oysters on the same bed 

 spawned at or about the same time, as many being for as against the theory. Currents were said 

 to have no effect upon the spawning. Oysters of one year's growth, three-fourths of an inch long, 

 have been seen with the spawn in them, and oysters on natural beds were thought by the majority 

 App. 11 6 



