FOREST, FISH AXD GAME COMMISSIONER. 131 



Value of outfit $i , 573 



Number of tongs used 69 



Number dredges used 138 



Number of hands employed 167 



Amount paid in wages $67,550 



Value of shore property 25,100 



Bushels market oysters produced .... 335,900 



Bushels seed oysters produced 188,930 



Bushels seed oysters planted 130,800 



Bushels seed oyster sold 42,930 



Value seed oysters sold $17,965 



Value market oysters sold 337.55° 



Bushels clams produced 9 , 500 



Value clams sold $9 , 860 



Principal market New York 



Jamaica Bay. 



The returns from this locality show a considerable falling off from 

 last vear. There were several reasons for this result. 



1. The planters have been more or less confused in respect to their 

 titles to land. 



2. The dearth of set and consequent high prices for seed tended to 

 their discouragement. 



3. For several years the crops had been far from satisfactory. As the 

 season advanced, however, those who had refrained from planting realized 

 that the mistake of not putting in a good crop would be most costly to 

 them, as never had oysters from this bay (known to the trade as " Rocka- 

 ways ") been more plump and delicious. Prices have been good and those 

 planters who have been able to supply the market with this stock have 

 had a most profitable season. 



The proximity of Jamaica bay to the New York market reduces the 

 cost of shipping to the minimum. About 560,000 bushels were marketed 

 during the year. 



Acres held under lease 630 



Acres held under franchise 44-6 



Total acres cultivated 146.58 



Location of tracts — Jamaica bay. 



