71 



Owing to the large number of vessels dredging, it was frequently impossible to visit and inspect 

 all that entered during the day. When such was the case, those inspected were selected from dif- 

 ferent classes and from different dredging grounds that a fair idea might be obtained of the num- 

 ber of oysters removed each day from each bed. 



The method of examination was as follows: 



The total number of bushels in the load given by the master of the vessel was recorded, with 

 the number of hours of labor necessary to obtain that quantity, and other matters of statistical 

 interest. Several samples of one-quarter or one-half bushel each were then selected from different 

 parts of the load and the number of oysters of each class in each sample counted and recorded. 

 The number ot samples examined depended upon the number of bushels in the load and upon the 

 character of the oysters, a large number being taken when the oysters appeared dissimilar, and 

 when the quantity was great. At least three samples were usually examined. In most cases the 

 average number of each class per sample was nearly the same as that given by each examination, 

 a.nd, consequently, it is assumed that a close estimate of the number of each class in the entire 

 load was obtained by multiplying the number of each class in a bushel, as shown by the samples, 

 by the total number of bushels in the load. From the record of these inspections I have been able 

 to determine with practical accuracy the number of oysters of the several classes removed from 

 the various beds by each description of dredging vessel. 



After September 1, when the dredging began, we counted each day all the vessels in sight from 

 the "Palinurus," specifying the size and the ground upon which they were working, and the 

 masters of the dredging vessels were also requested to note the number of dredgers working in 

 their vicinity, whicli they in many cases very obligingly did. As even with these data, the number 

 of working days given on each bed is very small, and because no bed is dredged continuously dur- 

 ing the season, but at intervals, I have divided the sections in a similar manner to that described 

 in my previous report. 



The first section includes the beds north of Piney Island Bar and the Muscle Hole; the sec- 

 ond section, those from the Muscle Hole and Piney Island Bar to the Great Bock; the third sec- 

 tion, the remaining beds in Tangier Sound; and the fourth section, all the Pocomoke beds. By this 

 arrangement duplication of the vessels counted is prevented and the average number of vessels 

 working each day is more nearly a correct estimate. 



The vessels dredging on these several sections, as counted by ourselves and by their masters, 

 have been assembled; the number of oysters assigned to each class of vessel working in the section 

 has then been multiplied by the number of vessels of each class, and the total number of oysters 

 taken off the beds in each section thus obtained. The number of oysters taken by anj T vessel in 

 a day varies greatly, owing to the weather principally, but in assigning the quantity on each day, 

 the number brought in by vessels of the same class, as shown by ''record of statistics," has been 

 used, as a more correct estimate is thus assured than would be given by using the average for the 

 whole season. The following table has been compiled from the calculations, and shows the num- 

 ber of. oysters taken from each section in a specified number of days; supposing the observations 

 to have extended over a sufficient period, the number of oysters has been divided by the number 

 of days, and the average number removed in each day thus obtained. 



Table showing estimated number of oysters removed in 1879. 



Section 1.— UPPER TANGIER SOUND. 



Number of sail. 



Total number of oysters removed in 12 days By 521 sail 2, 322, 200 



Average per day 



Total first and second classes per day . . . .' 











tn 



tn 



m 



« 



to 

 eg 



o 



ci 



o 





■3 



o 



.3 





9 



■3 





CD 







p 







Id 



O 



^ 



CO 



H 



6* 



2, 322, 200 



1, 934, 200 



1, 382, 500 



371, 000 



192, 683 



161, 183 



115, 200 



30, 916 



! 



353, 866 



j?T3 - 



I a » 



8,100 



