THE OYSTER INDUSTRY OF MARYLAND. 
287 
CONCLUSION. 
The common fishery . — From the data presented on the preceding pages is obtained 
the following tabular statement, exhibiting for a period of years the total number of 
persons employed in the oyster fishery of Maryland and the total quantity and value 
of the products : 
Season. 
No. of 
men. 
Bushels of 
oysters. 
Value. 
Season. 
No. of 
men. 
Bushels of 
oysters. 
Value. 
1860-61 
3, 000 
6, 885 
7,470 
7, 582 
13, 748 
3, 000, 000 
8, 040, 970 
9, 233, 475 
8,947,803 
10, 600, 000 
$1, 050, 000 
2, 814, 340 
3, 231, 716 
3, 031, 731 
3, 869, 000 
1889- 90 
1890- 91 . . . 
20, 481 
21, 878 
21, 280 
21, 200 
10, 450, 087 
9, 945, 058 
11, 632, 730 
10, 142, 500' 
$5, 204, 456 
5, 665, 866 
5, 866, 120 
5, 500, 000 
1868-69 
1869 70 
1891-92 
1870 71 
1892 93 
1879 80 * 
It is surprising and contrary to what might be expected from observations in other 
States and countries that the oyster reefs of Maryland have continued so long to pro- 
duce oysters in such abundance, notwithstanding the vigorous fishery to which they 
have been subjected. But it will be observed that while little variation has existed 
during the last twenty-five years in the quantity of oysters obtained annually, there 
has been a very large increase in the number of persons, vessels, and boats employed, 
indicating a decrease in the average catch per man and necessitating an increase in 
the price of the oysters. 
The following table exhibits for a number of seasons the average catch of oysters 
and the average gross income for each man engaged in the fishery: 
Average per man. 
Average 
per man. 
Season. 
Bushels 
of 
oysters. 
Gross 
income. 
Season. 
Bushels 
of 
oysters. 
Gross 
income. 
1860 61* 
1,000 
$350 
409 
1889-90 
510 
$254 
259 
275 
1868 69 
1,168 
1, 236 
1890-91 
455 i 
547 
1869 70 
432 
1891-92 
1870-71 
1, 180 
399 
1892-93 
478 
259 
1879-80 
771 
281 
* No dredging. 
It is thus observed that according to the data at hand the present average catch 
per man is less than one-half of what it was twenty-three years ago, and only two- 
thirds of what it was thirteen years ago, notwithstanding the fact that the boats and 
apparatus of capture used at present are far more costly and effective, and because 
of the higher prices the fishery is more vigorously prosecuted than was formerly the 
case; also the gross incomes of the oystermen are constantly decreasing, being now 
less than two-thirds of what they were in 1870, notwithstanding the greater expenses 
which they incur. 
In the meantime another and more serious change has taken place. The fishery 
being more extensively followed year after year, sufficient time is not given the oysters 
to attain their full growth, resulting naturally in a decrease in the average size of 
those brought to market. This decrease has been very noticeable, and the following 
tabular statement is presented, exhibiting for a . period of years the proportion of 
“extra selects” among the Chesapeake oysters handled by Messrs. Platt & Co., one 
