224 
THE BOOK OF FISHES 
termining the physical and biological 
characters of the oyster grounds, in sur¬ 
veying and plotting those grounds with 
a view to their allotment for oyster cul¬ 
ture, in conducting experimental and 
model planting operations, in recom¬ 
mending oyster legislation, and in giving 
disinterested expert advice on the va¬ 
rious problems that arise in the devel¬ 
opment and administration of the oyster 
fishery. 
Assistance of this kind has been ren¬ 
dered to every coastal State, and offi¬ 
cial requests for additional aid have been 
so numerous that the facilities of the 
Bureau of Fisheries have been overtaxed 
with respect to both funds and trained 
men for the work. The most recent sur¬ 
veys, experiments, and inquiries have been 
in Connecticut, New York, Delaware, 
Maryland, Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, 
Louisiana, and Texas, in several of which 
States the Bureau of Fisheries and the 
Coast and Geodetic Survey have joined 
forces in the accomplishment of special 
plans. 
The beneficial results of the govern¬ 
ment’s efforts in behalf of the oyster in¬ 
dustry of the various States have been 
conspicuous and lasting. The recent re¬ 
markable increase of the oyster output 
in the Gulf States is directly attributa¬ 
ble to those efforts. In Long Island 
Sound recent experiments by the United 
States Bureau of Fisheries in the artifi¬ 
cial propagation of the oyster have given 
promising results. 
Especially noteworthy has been the 
outcome of certain experimental plant¬ 
ing operations in Louisiana. In Bara- 
taria Bay, where there had previously 
been no oyster industry, experimental 
beds laid out by experts of the Bureau 
of Fisheries yielded marketable oysters 
at the extraordinary rate of 1,500 to 
2,000 bushels per acre in two years from 
the time the cultch was deposited on bar¬ 
ren bottom. The natural consequence 
has been that all available oyster-grow¬ 
ing land has been leased by the State, 
and a great impetus has been given to 
oyster culture. 
The oysters thus produced on bottoms 
never before utilized are of high quality 
and meet with ready sale in New Or¬ 
leans, where the “raccoon” and other 
oysters from the natural beds can hardly 
be sold at one-fourth the price. 
In further pursuance of its paternal 
policy of promoting the oyster industry, 
the Bureau of Fisheries has sought to 
make known to fishermen. State officials, 
and legislatures the methods and condi¬ 
tions of oyster fishing and oyster culture 
in all parts of the world. To this end 
inquiries have been made in all foreign 
countries having important oyster re¬ 
sources. Special reports thereon have 
been issued and distributed broadcast, 
and, so far as its powers and facilities 
have permitted, the government has ap¬ 
plied the knowledge gained abroad and 
at home to the particular requirements 
of the individual States in pointing out 
the way for the most successful utiliza¬ 
tion of the oyster grounds. 
