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BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
Mr. Charles H. Stevenson. The report consists of a history of the oyster industry of 
Maryland from early times, a review of the legislation by which the fishery has been 
regulated, a description of the oyster-grounds of the State, a detailed account of the 
methods employed in taking oysters, a notice of the progress of oyster-culture in 
Maryland, a history of the State oyster police and of the oyster-revenue services, 
statistical tables showing by counties the extent of the industry in recent years, and 
a discussion of the transporting, packing, and marketing trades. 
The extent of the oyster industry of Maryland in the season of 1891-92, as deter- 
mined by the investigations carried on by this office, may be summarized as follows : 
The number of persons engaged in various capacities was 33,388; of these, 10,813 
were employed in tonging oysters, 5,059 in dredging, 3,757 in scraping, 1,651 in trans- 
porting only, and 12,108 as shore and factory hands. The vessels employed numbered 
1,624; the number of boats used was 6,554; the vessels and boats, with their outfit and 
apparatus, were worth $2,618,745. The capital invested in the shore and accessory 
property devoted to the packing and marketing trades was $4,650,500. The total 
investment in the industry was therefore $7,269,245. The quantity of oysters taken 
and sold was 11,632,730 bushels, for which the fishermen received $5,866,120. 
The report is accompanied by 15 plates illustrating fishing methods and appli- 
ances and a chart showing the location of the oyster- grounds and indicating the respec- 
tive areas on which tonging, scraping, and dredging are authorized. 
Marshall McDonald, 
U. S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries. 
Washington, D. 0., 
November 29, 1893. 
