THE OYSTER INDUSTRY OF MARYLAND. 
207 
with those of this industry in other localities, consideration must be taken of the enor- 
mous extent to which, during the last twenty-five years, it has been prosecuted. The 
water area of Maryland is the greatest oyster-producing region in the world, and the 
output of the industry is fully equal in value to one- sixth of the product of all the 
fisheries of the United States combined and gives employment to one-fifth of the 
persons engaged therein. 
For purposes of comparison the following tabular statement is submitted, show- 
ing either approximately or by latest returns the catch of oysters from public and 
private areas in each of the various States of America and the principal foreign 
oyster-producing countries : 
Table showing the oyster product of the world. 
State or country. 
No. of 
bushels. 
Value. 
Year. 
Massachusetts 
58,007 
$81, 938 
1892 
Rhode Island 
172, 945 
241, 978 
1892 
Connecticut 
1, 940, 174 
1, 426, 244 
1892 
New York 
2, 611, 062 
2, 748, 509 
1891 
New Jersey 
2, 632, 117 
1, 746, 930 
1892 
Pennsylvania 
132, 380 
101, 850 
1892 
Delaware 
175, 332 
73, 863 
1892 
Maryland 
11,632,730 
5, 866, 120 
1892 
Virginia 
5, 984, 636 
2, 487, 638 
1891 
North Carolina 
807, 260 
175, 567 
1890 
South Carolina 
63, 150 
23, 204 
1890 
Georgia 
224, 355 
40, 520 
1890 
Florida 
468, 431 
93, 692 
1890 
Alabama 
481, 070 
107, 812 
1890 
Mississippi 
806, 478 
166, 672 
1890 
Louisiana 
841, 585 
299, 896 
1890 
Texas 
440, 800 
127, 990 
1890 
Washington 
142, 730 
127, 000 
1892 
Oregon 
2, 500 
3, 125 
1892 
California 
178, 645 
698, 257 
1892 
Total for United States 
29, 796, 387 
16, 638, 805 
Canada 
152, 580 
183, 846 
1891 
British Isles 
2, 760, 000 
6, 200, 000 
Approx. 
France 
2, 000, 000 
5, 000, 000 
Do. 
Holland 
70, 000 
440, 000 
Do. 
Italy 
65, 000 
200, 000 
Do. 
Germany 
13, 000 
75, 000 
Do. 
Miscellaneous 
400, 000 
600, 000 
Do. 
Total for foreign countries 
5, 460, 580 
12,698,846 
Grand total 
35, 256, 967 
29, 337, 651 
It is thus observed that the quantity of oysters produced in Maryland is one- 
third of the total product of the world and more than twice as great as that of all 
foreign countries combined. 
This report is largely the result of observations and inquiries made by the writer, 
as an agent of the U. S. Fish Commission, during extended trips through the tide- water 
counties of Maryland and of examinations of the voluminous State and county records. 
Liberal and valuable assistance has been accorded the work by the State and county 
officials and many other persons in positions to be informed respecting the oyster 
industry. Especial acknowledgment is made to Gen. Joseph B. Seth, sometime com- 
mander of the State fishery force, to Mr. William D. Platt, an extensive oyster-dealer of 
Baltimore, Marion deK. Smith, esq., comptroller of the State treasury, Col. Thomas S. 
Hodson, and Conway W. Sams, esq. Acknowledgment is also due Mr. Daniel Bendann, 
of Baltimore, for the use of an excellent series of photographs illustrating the various 
phases of the oyster industry of Maryland. 
