OYSTER-CULTURE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. 
315 . 
situated on its west shore. The total area of the creek is about 290 acres ; area of 
natural oyster beds, about 2.6 acres. 
Morgan River is about 8 miles Ion g from Dales Creek to its mouth at St. Helena 
Sound. Its trend is east; it has a depth of 3 to 30 feet, and will average one-half 
mile in width. The bottom is generally hard and corresponds with the indications on 
the Coast Survey charts. It is liable to be disturbed at any time by the phosphate 
dredgers. The specific gravity at the head of the river at dead low water was 1.0193 
surface and 1.0194 bottom; at the mouth near St. Helena Sound, on the first of the 
flood, 1.0206 surface and 1.0207 bottom. The total area is about 2,496 acres; area of 
natural oyster beds, 9.1 acres. 
Bull River and its tributaries . — This river is formed by the confluence of the 
North and South Wimbee and has a general southeast course, flowing into the Coosa 
Biver opposite Parrott Creek. The bottom is generally hard and underlaid by phos- 
phate rock; the depth ranges from 2 to 30 feet. Several large phosphate companies 
are located on this river, and the bottom is extensively mined for rock. No oysters 
were found in deep water, but raccoon oysters of poor type extend along the shores, 
decreasing in quantity as one ascends both the North and South Wimbee. The water, 
while it is not muddy, has a dirty look with an oily scum on the surface. The specific 
gravity of the water at the highest point on the North Wimbee, at one-half ebb, was 
1.0185 surface and 1.0183 bottom; at the highest point examined on the South Wim- 
bee, at low water, 1.0184 surface and bottom; and at the mouth of Bull Biver, on the 
early ebb, 1.0179 surface and 1.0180 bottom. The total area is about 928 acres; area 
of natural oyster beds, 7.1 acres. 
Combahee River also has a southeast trend and empties into the Coosa 2 miles 
below the mouth of Bull Biver. While it has all the disadvantages of Bull Biver, 
being in the phosphate region, it becomes absolutely fresh 4 miles above its mouth. 
The bottom is generally hard and sticky, and the raccoon oysters extend along its 
shores to a point 14 miles above its mouth. One mile above the mouth of Old Cheehaw 
Creek the water was practically fresh both at the surface and bottom. At the mouth of 
Old Cheehaw Creek, at three-quarters ebb, the specific gravity was 1.0113 surface and 
1.0132 bottom; and at the mouth of the river, one-half ebb, 1.0162 surface and 1.0179 
bottom. Total area of oyster-producing part, 1,088 acres; area of natural oyster beds, 
about 5 acres. 
Ashepoo River was examined only from its mouth to the mouth of Mosquito 
Creek, which connects this river with the South Edisto. It is about 6 miles from the 
mouth to this point and will average about 200 yards in width. The bottom is favor- 
able, being hard and sticky, with a depth ranging from 2 to 30 feet. But very few 
oysters were observed in this river, the largest area being near the west shore about 
1 mile below the mouth of Mosquito Creek. The water is slightly tinged near the 
mouth and grows yellowish as one ascends the stream. I was informed by native 
fishermen that the water is fresh about 5 miles above the mouth of Mosquito Creek. 
This creek itself becomes absolutely fresh 3 miles above its mouth. The specific grav- 
ity of the water at the mouth of the river at one-sixth ebb was 1.0231 surface and 
1.0234 bottom; near the mouth of Mosquito Creek, one-half ebb, 1.0152 surface and 
1.0154 bottom. The area of the part examined was 760 acres; area of natural oyster 
beds, about 12 acres. 
