320 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
tinged, resulting no doubt from the waters of the Ashley and Cooper rivers being met 
at sea by the rising tide and forced back through this inlet. The specific gravity at 
the mouth of Schooner Creek was 1.0221 surface and 1.0222 bottom, on the last of the 
ebb; near the head of the flats, early flood, 1.0226 surface and 1.0222 bottom; and 
in Light-house Inlet, abreast of the light-house, one-third flood, 1.0204 surface and 
1.0210 bottom. Raccoon oysters not only extend along the shores in patches, but are 
also found in great numbers ou the mud flats. Hard-shell clams or quahogs also occur 
in considerable quantities in these creeks. The total area of the creeks, including 
the mud flats at the head, is about 820 acres The area of the natural oyster beds is 
about 17.5 acres, and that of the planted ground about 20 acres. 
Mr. Henry Merritt is engaged in planting oysters in Light-house Creek from the 
beacon to a point 2 miles above. Unfortunately he was not at home when this locality 
was examined, and but little information could be obtained as to the extent of the 
planted area and the quantity of oysters marketed. But specimens of the planted 
oysters were taken, which showed a wonderful improvement over those occurring 
in the adjacent raccoon beds. The method pursued is to transplant the raccoon oys 
ters from the borders of the creek to deeper water. The worst enemy encountered, 
Mrs. Merritt states, is the conch, which devastates the planted beds, sometimes 
destroying 50 per cent of their contents. The improvement in the quality of the 
planted oysters, coupled with the success of Mr. Merritt (everything about his premises 
indicating thrift) tends to prove that this is a good field for the transplanting of the 
raccoon oysters to more suitable bottoms. In fact, while his operations are restricted to 
a small area, he seems to be the most successful planter in the State. A scarcity of 
reliable labor interferes with the increase of his business, most all of the work being 
performed by himself. 
Asliley River . — The topography of this river, as well as of the Cooper and Wando 
rivers, has never been completed above the city of Charleston, and the shore line had 
to be sketched in as accurately as possible by course and distance while the survey 
was being made. The Ashley River was examined to a point about 12 miles above its 
mouth, or 2 miles above the railroad bridge, where it becomes practically fresh. It 
averages three-eighths of a mile in width, and the depths range from 2 to 30 feet. The 
bottom is favorable, being generally hard and sticky with occasional soft places. The 
raccoon oyster ledges are inconsiderable along the shores of this river, and cease alto- 
gether about 2 miles above the Charleston bridge, but oysters are found in deep water 
near the railroad bridge, and in a cove 2 miles below it on the west shore. The 
specific gravity is 1.0116 at the former locality and 1.0166 at the latter. The water is 
yellowish, with mud in suspension, in the upper part of the river. The oysters found in 
deep water have the usual attachment of barnacles. There is such a wide range of 
specific gravity that any desired density may be obtained, but that part of the river 
between the railroad bridge and the Wando Phosphate Works is especially recom- 
mended as suitable ground. It is also possible that this area can be stocked by the 
catching of spat on bottom shells or cultch, if such is desired. 
A series of density observations was made at both ends and at the middle of the 
Charleston bridge at different times of the tide, at the surface, mid depth, and bottom. 
The specific gravity of the water in the mouth off Charleston at one-half flood was 
1.0217, surface and bottom; 1 mile above the Charleston bridge, one-sixth flood, 1.0198 
surface and 1.0200 bottom; at the Wando Phosphate Works, one-sixth flood, 1.0188 
