EIGHTH REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 9 1 



labor of the year. Starfish may swarm over a well planted and well tilled bed 

 and leave scarcely a living oyster behind. The borer and periwinkle perform 

 their deadly work, and in addition to these known agencies of destruction, there 

 are conditions of water, etc., as yet not understood (as during the present season) 

 which materially affect the output. 



TI)e Ouster Crop, 



The crop of the present season has been short, though unimpaired in quality, 

 it being stated that the quantity of oysters marketed does not exceed, in bushels, 

 the amount of seed oysters planted. The reason of this condition is obscure and 

 cannot be explained by the planters, who, in consequence of the poor supply, have 

 sustained severe loss, and were it not for the favorable system maintained by 

 the State many of them would have been forced out of business. About once 

 in from five to seven years there occurs in New York waters an abundant set of 

 young oysters. The last extensive set was in the summer of 1899, and in its 

 abundance it was altogether unprecedented. As the oyster requires from three 

 to five years to mature, a few years of plenty follow each general set of young 

 oysters to those planters who industriously cultivate their grounds and are 

 fortunate enough to escape all or most of the many dangers attendant upon the 

 occupation. 



The liberal policies of the States of New York and Connecticut in dealing with 

 the shellfish planters have been imitated by other States with like excellent results. 

 Even the States upon the Pacific coast have been giving much attention to the 

 subject. State Fish Commissioner Kershaw, of Washington, is quoted as having 

 said: "Eastern transplanted oysters are coming to the front everywhere. People 

 who never investigated the subject do not know the importance of this 

 fishery question. It is now one of the four great industries of Washington, and 

 ranks with coal, lumber and wheat as a money producer. The oyster business 

 will, in my opinion, soon become more important than other fisheries." 



ai)eUfi$l) Calfcire. 



It may be of interest to describe here something regarding the men engaged 

 in the shellfishing business, and of the methods used by them in this odd style of 

 farming. 



There are two classes of oyster planters: The first is represented by the poor 

 bayman who, without capital, cultivates a small piece of ground by his individual 



