174 
2d classes represent the mature oysters. If, then, we com- 
pare the mature with the young, we have at once a sure indi- 
cation of the state of the bed so far as its fecundity is con- 
cerned. 
In order that the areas under consideration might be as 
similar as possible to the extensive beds inside the Sounds, I 
have only used for the following table the three largest sec- 
tions — ISTos. 1, 2 and 4: 
DREDGING RESULTS. CHESAPEAKE BAY. Table I. 
Locality. 
No. of 
Section. 
Oysters. 
1st & 2d. 
Oysters. 
3d & 4th. 
Ratios. 
West of Kedge’s Straits. ... 
“ Red House 
Hog Neck Bed | 
Section 1 
“ 2 
“ 4 
2,640 
719 
4,576 
3,824 
765 
7,979 
1.06 
1.06 
1.70 
7,935 
12,568 
TVf pan of Ratios 
1.58 
Accepting this mean ratio of all young growth to mature 
oysters, upon comparatively unworked beds, as the standard, 
it is inferred that it should not fall below 1.5 or 1.6. 
FECUNDITY OF THE BEDS IN THE SOUNDS. 
In order to ascertain whether the fecundity of the beds in 
the Sounds was the same as that of those outside in the Bay, 
a very thorough dredging was continued during the summer 
and autumn, and the oysters classified according to the plan 
already described. 
The dredging lines are shown on the sketches accompany- 
ing the report, and were run over all beds where it was possi- 
ble to carry the vessel. 
The results are assembled in the following table : 
