FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 1 75 



dance of that year has ever since furnished the trade with market stock and will 

 carry the dealers over another year, during which, however, higher prices may 

 be looked for. Should the next season not prove more bountiful in this particular 

 the planters will be in dire straits. 



Minute oysters, known as "seed" oysters, are regularly dealt in and carried 

 from one locality to another and transplanted. Our growers usually purchase 

 large quantities of seed from the Connecticut natural beds, but our Connecticut 

 neighbors, as well as our own people, have lately failed to find a set. Seed 

 oysters from Southern waters will not thrive upon our colder coasts, though 

 Northern seed prospers well in the South. Our planters, consequently, cannot be 

 supplied from that source; we have, therefore, to face a condition of scarcity 

 of oysters during ths next two years. No doubt nature could always, under 

 normal conditions, be depended on to renew and perpetuate this species, but it 

 must be remembered that by the agency of man the natural beds have been 

 depleted and nature's balance disturbed. Notwithstanding the deadly attacks of 

 the starfish, the borer, the periwinkle and other enemies of this bivalve, nature 

 has always provided for the survival of the oyster; but when the oystermen rake 

 up the shellfish of entire bays and arms of the sea it will be understood that 

 every advance in intelligent methods of cultivation is welcomed, and that experi- 

 ments such as the General Government is making along the line of artificial 

 propagation are watched with the greatest interest. 



Our New York oyster is the best and most sought shellfish that the market 

 affords. Blue Points, East Rivers, Rockaways and those from Princes Bay are 

 too well known and too highly esteemed to require further mention here. Our 

 domestic markets demand them, and thousands of barrels are exported to foreign 

 countries. Perhaps it may be of interest to note that we also import oysters, 

 though the quantities imported are infinitesimal in comparison with the exports; 

 still there are certain epicures who, to satisfy a taste which might properly be 

 called a fad, require that the bills of fare at their favorite restaurants shall afford 

 "Green Marennes," a French oyster, which, to the extent of five or six barrels a 

 week during the season, are brought to this country. While the New York oyster 

 is unsurpassed in quality and may be had fresh from its salty medium, its foreign 

 relative commands a fourfold greater price. 



A Hazardous Occapafion. 



Some of the difficulties which make the business of oyster culture hazardous 

 and laborious have been mentioned, but more might be related; in fact, more 

 exist than are actually known, such as storms, tides, temperature of water and 



