480 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
Eiver. The oysters are brought iu the spring from the Lower Chesapeake and tribu- 
taries by sailing vessels, the freightage, etc., being about 10 cents per bushel. The 
cost, delivered in Connecticut, has been as follows: In 1887, 42 cents per bushel; in 
1888, 45 cents, and in 1889 about 47 cents. The cost has been constantly advancing 
for several years, owing to increased scarcity. 
After being taken to Connecticut they are bedded on grounds in New Haven 
Harbor, chiefly on the western side, on a long sandy bar, known locally as “The 
Beach.” For this purpose an acre may have placed upon it as much as 2,000 bushels. 
The ground used is mainly the property of the owners of the oysters, but frequently 
it is hired for the season for bedding southern oysters, at a rental varying from 2 to 
12 cents per bushel, according to location, the average being nearer the former than 
the latter price. The planters combine for mutual protection, employing watchmen, 
etc., to look after the beds. 
These oysters are not taken up until winter, when they have increased greatly in 
size and attained much of the fine flavor characteristic of Connecticut oysters, for 
which they may be sold, or they are disposed of under their own name, according to 
the nature of the demand. 
The following table shows the number of bushels planted during the past three 
years, their cost, the quantity taken up, and price received after opening: 
Tear. 
Bushels 
planted. 
Cost. 
Bushels 
taken up. 
Amount 
received. 
1R87 
87, 440 
$36, 101 
no, 900 
$83, 950 
1888 
95, 325 
41, 585 
124, 100 
93, 450 
1889 
115, 062 
53, 716 
142, 700 
111, 225 
It will be observed that the oysters increased nearly one-third in bulk during the 
time they were bedded. The ratio of increase has slightly diminished recently, on 
account of the great destructiveness of the drills iu New Haven Harbor. 
Many oysters are still brought from the Chesapeake to be opened immediately upon 
their arrival. This trade began about 1835 ; it reached its maximum between 1855 and 
18G0, when probably between 500,000 and 750,000 bushels were annually transported. 
When native oysters began to be easily raised the use of southern oysters decreased ; 
but, owing to the recent slight check in the productiveness of the Connecticut beds, 
it has increased somewhat during tlie past three years. In 1887 the number of 
southern oysters purchased to be opened at once was 32,500 bushels, costing $17,900; 
in 1888 it was 37,300 bushels, costing $19,194; and in 1889 it was 37,400 bushels, 
costing $21,682. 
33. Export trade . — The exportation of American oysters to Europe depends chiefly 
oii the' prod net of the Connecticut grounds. As a rule, few oysters are taken from 
east of Milford for this purpose, though occasionally many are sent to Europe from 
New Haven. The stock intended for foreign markets consists of oysters carefully 
culled, after which they are packed for shipment in flour barrels holding about 3 
busnels each. They are pressed down as tightly as possible into the barrels so that 
they will not rattle about, and also to prevent them from opening their shells ; as long 
as the shells remain closed the liquid is retained, thus keeping the oysters alive much 
longer than would otherwise be practicable. 
