FOREST, FISH AXD GAME COMMISSIONER. 1 29 



Thev rise and fall with the tides, which keeps them upon a level correspond- 

 ing with that of the decks of the boats of the oyster carrying fleet, thus 

 facilitating the loading and unloading of stock. These houses may be 

 moved from place to place when necessary by tow boats. 



Statistics of the Industry. 



The writer has endeavored to make a careful and thorough use of all 

 the means at his disposal for the purpose of collecting and collating reli- 

 able data concerning the extent and value of the oyster crop; the number 

 of men emploved in the industry and the number, style and value of ves- 

 - used, as well as the value of appliances and of shore property. The 

 oyster planters upon our seaboard were furnished with blanks containing 

 questions by means of which information was sought upon the following 

 points, to wit: Number of acres cultivated; location of tracts; number of gas 

 and steam vessels employed; tonnage of gas and steam vessels; value of 

 gas and steam vessels ; value of steam and gas outfit ; number of sail vessels 

 employed ; tonnage of sail vessels ; value of sail vessels ; value of sailing outfit ; 

 number of other boats employed ; value of other boats employed ; value of 

 such outfit; number of tongs used; number of dredges used; number of 

 hands employed; amount paid in wages; value of shore property used; 

 quantity of oysters produced for market, in bushels; quantity of seed 

 oysters planted, in bushels; bushels of seed oysters sold; value of seed 

 oysters sold; bushels of clams produced; value of clams sold and the prin- 

 cipal market for the products. 



In cases where such blanks were not filled and returned as requested, 

 personal visits to the oyster localities were made by a representative of 

 the Shellfisheries office. By use of these methods a mass of detailed 

 information was obtained which has been verified by comparison with 

 reports from the transportation lines, market vessels and market wagons. 



The following figures are presented as being as nearly accurate as 

 may be obtained, the totals rather understating the real quantities, as no 

 account has been made of oysters consumed in the localities of the beds 

 where they are grown : 



