203 
It will be noticed that the number of dredging vessels in- 
creases on each succeeding section in Tangier Sound, but that 
the number taken by each sail, and the yield per day, decreases. 
Also that the number of sail in Pocomoke Sound is much 
smaller than in any other section, and that the yield per day 
is also much smaller. 
The character of the bottom and the depth of the water 
materially influences the yield of the bed, those in shoal water 
with soft bottoms allowing more frequent hauls of the dredges 
than those in deep water or on hard bottoms. But as the 
dredges used in deep water and on hard bottoms are usually 
much heavier, this inequality is overcome to some extent. 
Again, the large vessels take a greater proportion of the 
oysters than the small ones, and those large vessels usually 
work on the deep water beds. 
Considering the different sizes of the vessels and the supe- 
riority of the crews of the larger ones, and the heavier dredges 
used by them, I am of the opinion that the disparity between 
the yields of the Upper and Lower Tangier beds is greater 
than it should be. 
The beds of the Middle Section are, with the exception of 
Piney Island Bar, similar to those of the upper section; yet, 
with a larger number of vessels working, the yield of that sec- 
tion is less than the upper. 
These facts, I think, show that the beds in Lower Tangier 
Sound are less productive than those ir the upper. 
The dredging in Pocomoke Sound was principally on the 
upper beds, and none was done as far as we could ascertain on 
either the Brig or Parker’s Bocks. 
As the middle and upper beds in this Sound are very similar 
in character of bottom and depth of water to the middle and 
upper beds in Tangier Sound, it would be inferred that the 
yield per day in Pocomoke would be about the same. On the 
contrary, as shown by the table, it is absurdly small ; and, con- 
sidering its size, it is not astonishing that the beds have been 
to a great extent abandoned. 
Taking the number of oysters removed each day, and consid- 
ering, for the reasons give in my previous report (Yol. 2. — con,- 
