THE OYSTER INDUSTRY OF MARYLAND. 
279 
The total extent to which Maryland is dependent on the oyster fishery is not 
fully indicated in the foregoing tables. The amount of money received by the oyster- 
men for their product poorly represents the value of this industry. In the eleven 
counties in which the fishery is prosecuted it is the mainstay of the people, and the 
prosperity of nearly all business therein is regulated by it. As four-fifths of the 
oysters are sent out of the State through wholesale markets, etc., and as the value of 
the product after it has passed through these markets and transportation agencies 
averages about 90 cents for each bushel originally represented, it is reasonable to 
assume that for each bushel of oysters caught in Maryland about 70 cents is brought 
into the State. During the last ten years this would amount to about $80,000,000 
received by the oystermen, marketmen, transportation agencies, etc., which would 
not have been brought into the State were it not for the oyster fishery, and this does 
not include the value of the 'millions of bushels of oysters consumed within the State. 
This sum is much greater than the total taxable value of all property located in the 
counties in which this fishery is prosecuted, not including the city of Baltimore. 
At least 95 per cent of this revenue is received by men whose wages or incomes 
amount to less than $1,000 a year. In this class are included all the oystermen and 
nearly all the employes of the shucking-houses and transportation agencies. Then, 
when consideration is taken of the large number of persons engaged in other voca- 
tions, but dependent on the patronage of these men to a greater or less extent, such as 
vessel builders and repairers, sail-makers, blacksmiths, house carpenters, grocerymen, 
merchants, even the physicians, lawyers, etc., the enormous value of the industry is 
apparent, and it is observed how vitally important to the people of the State is the 
continued prosperity of the fishery. 
A careful survey of the extent of the oyster product of Maryland from the begin- 
ning of the present century develops the following as an approximation of the product 
during each decade, not including those taken by non-residents or those used for 
fertilizing purposes: 
Period. 
No. of bushels. 
Period. 
No. of bushels. 
1800-1810.... 
2, 500, 000 
4, 000, 000 
5, 000, 000 
8, 000, 000 
15, 000, 000 
1860-1870 
63, 000, 000 
114. 000. 000 
116. 000. 000 
31, 720, 000 
1810-1820 
1870-1880 
1820-1830 
1880-1890 
1830 1840 
1890-1893 
1 840-1 fiso 
1850-1860 
34, 000! 000 
Tota | 
393, 220, 000 
To exhibit the comparative value of this product, the following tabular statement 
is submitted showing the average prices received at Baltimore during the seasons 
indicated for u straight up” or standard stock. These figures are a trifle higher than 
the average for the product of the State : 
Season. 
Average 
price per 
bushel. 
Season. 
Average 
price per 
bushel. 
1850-51 
Gents. 
30 
1880-81 
Gents. 
40 
1855-56 
30 
1885 86 
45 
1860-61 
35 
1889-90 
53 
1865-66 
*70 
1890-91 
69 
1870-71 
35 
1891-92 
62 
1875-76 
33 
1892-93 
66 
* War prices. 
