cv 



Oyster — ( street mrginiana. ) 



In my last re]3ort submitted to the Legislature on the 

 1st of January, 1880, I explained how the consideration 

 of the oyster beds and the study of this important mol- 

 lusk had been forced upon the Commission, as a thorough 

 appreciation of the influences which bear upon the exis- 

 tence or non-existence, the increase or decrease of many 

 of our important fishes, required some investigation as 

 to the state of the oyster beds and the possibilities of 

 employing means of continuing or restoring these beds, 

 should they be destroyed by natural influences orbj^ the 

 too extravagant and wanton use of them. 



Whereas the investigation was commenced rather to 

 ascertain the capacities of the oyster-beds for pro- 

 ducing food for the more important fishes, the devel- 

 opments have been so important and the prospects so 

 bright of increasing b}^ artificial means not only the num- 

 ber of oysters, but adding to their excellence by careful 

 cultivation, I have prosecuted these researches to the 

 :fullest extent that the limited means at my disposal 

 would permit. 



It has been with much regret that the important expe- 

 ximents have of necessity been delayed and postponed 

 from time to time, until by the practice of the closest 

 economy in other branches of fish culture in the State a 

 sufficient jproportion of the portion of the appropriation 

 assigned to me could be devoted to this pur]3os«^. 



In consequence of the reduction of the amouut availa- 

 ble, the experiments have not been made on such a scale 

 and with that thoroughness which I had hoped, nor have 

 they been made as rapidly as their possible importance 

 to the State would seem to demand. Enough has been 

 determined to warrant the prediction that tlie day is not 

 far distant when oyster culture on the Chesapeake Bay 

 will be one of the most jjrominent industries of the State. 



Besides indicating how the oyster industry can best be 

 fostered and guiding capital in its best investment, I 



