OYSTER-CULTURE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. 
307 
Hawk. Tlie presence of raccoon oyster ledges was readily detected at nearly all 
times of the tide, and their length and width were easily determined. The positions 
of submerged oyster beds were ascertained by the nse of sounding or dredging appa- 
ratus or from information given by the fishermen. The territory examined extends 
from the Savannah River in the south to North Inlet in the north, omitting the region 
between Winyah and Bull bays, and a few smaller areas farther south. On the 
accompanying charts the natural oyster beds and the density observations are indi- 
cated in red. Four degrees centigrade has been used as the standard for the density 
observations, which are in all cases reduced to a temperature of 15° 0. (approximately 
60° Fp 
DESCRIPTION OF AREAS EXAMINED. 
Wright River is a narrow, tortuous stream, about 13 miles in length, with an 
average width of not more than 200 yards. It rises in the marshes near the Savannah 
River, and, flowing in a southerly direction, empties into the same river opposite 
Long Island. The water is thick with mud in suspension received from the Savannah 
River, and it becomes practically fresh 3 miles above its junction with the latter. 
The specific gravity of the water at the mouth, at high tide, was 1.0121 surface and 
1.0133 bottom; 1 mile above the mouth at the same time of tide, 1.0104 surface 
and 1.0112 bottom; and at the mouth of Walls Out, 1.0060 surface and 1.0146 bot- 
tom. Above this point the water is practically fresh, both at the surface and at the 
bottom. No oysters are found in this river, and the general conditions existing there 
preclude the possibility of successful cultivation. It deserves mention, however, by 
reason of its being the most southern stream within the jurisdiction of the State. 
The only source of salt water is the last of the flood, and even this small quantity is 
influenced by the freshets of the Savannah River, for in time of freshets little or no 
salt water could reach it. 
New River is a narrow, winding stream 16 miles long, which also has a general 
southerly direction, and enters Tybee Roads 2i miles north of the mouth of Wright 
River. It has an average width of 200 yards, and ranges in depth from 5 to 20 feet. 
The character of the bottom corresponds favorably with that indicated on the Coast 
Survey charts, being generally hard mud or sand, or sticky, with occasional soft spots. 
This river presents many favorable conditions for oyster-culture. The greatest draw- 
back, perhaps, is the mud in suspension in its waters, received from the Savannah 
River through Walls Cut, and from its mouth on the flood tides, when the outflowing 
water from this river is thrust back up New River and discolors its waters to a point 
about 6 miles above the mouth, where it becomes clear again. This is due, no doubt, 
to the salt-water circulation through the Cooper River at its junction with New River, 
and through Rams-horn Creek, as the division of the tides occurs in New River about 
1 mile below this junction. 
The observations were made on the last of the flood and throughout the entire 
ebb tide, and it will be observed that the changes in the specific gravity of the water 
is marked. Commencing at its mouth with 1.0176, it declines until it reaches a min- 
imum of 1.0107 at the surface and 1.0113 at the bottom, at a point about one-half mile 
above the lower mouth of Rams-horn Creek, when it begins to rise again, caused by 
the salt water from the Cooper River, and reaches a maximum, at the highest point 
examined, of 1,0157 at the bottom. 
