TIES

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR
BUREAU OF FISHERIES

GEORGE M. BOWERS, Commissioner

CONDITION AND EXTENT OF THE
OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES
RIVER, VIRGINIA

Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 729

WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1910

ms,

CONDITION AND EXTENT OF THE OYSTER BEDS OF
_ JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA

By H. F. Moore
Assistant, U. A Bureau of Fisheries

Bureau of Bisnecice Document No. 729

1 185 Jd; Je) Ja (© Idi.

On February 3, 1909, the Bureau of Fisheries received from Hon.
Claude A. Swanson, governor of Virginia, a communication inclosing
the following resolution of the Commissioners of Fisheries of the
State: >
_ Resolved, That the governor be requested to enlist the services of the United States

Bureau of Fisheries in determining and defining the fertile and the barren areas in
~ James River, marking and platting same, provided it can be done without expendi-
ture by the State.

At the urgent solicitation of Governor Swanson, and upon the con-
viction that the work would prove of value as a guide for contem-
plated legislation by the State in respect to the future administration
of the public oyster grounds, the request for the survey was acceded
to, the steamer Fish Hawk and civilian assistants were detailed for
the work, and Dr. H. F. Moore, assistant in the Bureau of Fisheries,
was directed to assume charge.

_ The erection of signals was begun early in July and completed by
August 7. The actual examination of the oyster beds commenced
on August 9 and extended, with only such interruptions as were due
to the weather, to September 14, the survey thus covering the period
just prior to the opening of the oyster season, when the beds were in
their optimum condition. Under the terms of the resolution quoted
above, the Bureau has not felt justified in offering advice as to the
future treatment of the beds, and the following report is therefore
confined to statements of fact and a short discussion of their several
obvious avenues of application.

GrorcEeE M. Bowers,
Commissioner.

UNITED States BuREAU oF FISHERIES,

Washington, D. C., December 1, 1909.

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6 CONTENTS.
Page.
Paulo lie foot dy: yaya 8 seve isp e S aa lea tee ae a ea fe ee 56
No. 2 Nansemond County and No. 6 Isle of Wight County.-..-...-.......- 60
No. 1 Warwick County below Deep Creek............---.-.------------- 64
Manoripulblic:crouiids 222 Sage he es pet elaye an ot ae 67
No. 1 Warwick County above Deep Creek.............----.-.-.--------- 67
No. dTsle of) Wight Counity en ae). yee ey eee ee koe cele es ee 70
PS RMELAI RTS yee yk cea NY A eee eee, Se a 2 ee
Marketioyster area. si) SMa s Sep ARUN ga gs Bp tie Ses 2a aS Ae She 72
Seed oyster areas es ec. {yes 5 Leg Ue cia ete ete gute acta ere seer ena 7
Conclusione 2) isc acepetinccee = ae ae eee ee eee SE se Ls te ree ged 80
Deseription’ of charts: so 202.,. assesses to ee a ene ee 83

CONDITION AND EXTENT OF THE OYSTER BEDS OF
JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

By H. F. Moors,
Assistant, U. S. Bureau of Fisheries.

PREVIOUS SURVEYS.

Prior to the investigations made by the Bureau of Fisheries in
July, August, and September, 1909, two surveys of the James River
oyster beds had been made, neither of which professed to delineate
the rocks accurately or to furnish detailed information concerning
their productiveness and condition. The first of these surveys was
a reconnoissance made in 1878 by Lieut. (then Master) Francis
Winslow, U. S. Navy, in command of the Coast and Geodetic Survey
schooner Palinurus. The second was the survey of the public
grounds by Mr. J. B. Baylor, assistant, Coast and Geodetic Survey,
under the authority of the State, in 1892 and preceding years.

As Winslow himself states, his ‘examination of these beds was a
very hurried one, and the delineation must be regarded as merely
approximate, being the result of a hasty reconnoissance.’’ The
chart published with the report delineates merely the general out-
lines of the oyster-bearing areas, without attempting to show the
smaller individual rocks or the density of growth, and the text is of
very general character. Comparing the chart with the results of
the recent survey, however, it is evident that Lieutenant Winslow’s
brief investigation must have shown with considerable accuracy the
general distribution of oysters in the James and Nansemond rivers
at that time. The differences between the general results of the two
surveys are such as could be readily produced by the lapse of time
and the vicissitudes through which the beds have passed under the
operation of natural and human agencies. Some areas have become
depleted through the intensive fishing they have sustained, or from
the effects of freshets and other physical factors, while on the other
hand some appear to have had their boundaries extended or have
become merged with adjacent beds through the operations of the
tongers.

7

8 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

The Baylor survey was of an entirely different character from
that conducted by Winslow. It was in no sense an examination of
the oyster beds themselves, but primarily and avowedly a delimitation
of boundaries which included the recognized or reputed oyster-bear-
ing bottom, as pointed out by local commissioners or representa-
tives of each oyster-producing county. It is the writer’s understand-
ing that the county commissioners were, under the state law ordering
the survey, the final arbiters with whom rested the decision whether
or not a given area should be included within the boundaries of the
public grounds. So far as can be learned no examinations whatever
were made on the beds, the commissioners using their judgment and
local knowledge in selecting the corners and the engineers with their
theodolites cutting in the points indicated from stations on the shore.

Whether or not beds were omitted from the confines of the public
grounds so located can not now be satisfactorily determined, owing
to the development of the planting industry, outside of the Baylor
lines, on all or most of the available bottom. It is evident, however,
that in the region under discussion no very extensive rocks were dis-
regarded, and a comparison of the results of the recent survey with
that of 1892 shows that the Baylor lines, considered as a broad
scheme of delimitation, conform closely with the general distribution
of the rocks. At several places, notably on Gun and Kettle Hole
rocks, parts of the natural beds undoubtedly fell outside of the lines,
but the writer hazards the suggestion that this may not have been
through inadvertence but because those parts of the rocks may have
been already taken up as private holdings.

It has been claimed, and Mr. Baylor himself has so stated in
official communications to the State, that a very considerable area
of barren bottom, amounting to many thousand acres, was included
within the public grounds. That this should be so, under the sys-
tem adopted by the local commissioners and under the desire to
assure the inclusion of all naturally productive bottom, was inevi-
table. Moreover, the boundaries of the beds are irregular curves,
while the including surveyed boundaries must be straight lines, for
purposes of administration and policing as long and unbroken as
possible. To have excluded the greater part of this barren bottom
would have necessitated a careful location of the natural rocks and
the breaking up of the public grounds into a considerable number
of small or moderate areas instead of segregating them into a few
large ones.

To what extent the claim that great areas of barren bottom are
included in the public grounds is justified will appear from the accom-
panying charts and in the following descriptions and discussions.

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 9
METHODS OF THE PRESENT SURVEY.

To furnish authoritative and definite information as to the actual
extent and condition of the natural rocks and the character of the
bottoms embraced within the boundaries of the public beds, it was
necessary to depart widely from the methods of the previous surveys.

It was decided to confine the investigation wholly to the public
beds, passing their boundaries only far enough to give assurance
that the entire area had been covered. Nothing was to be gained
by an examination of the excluded areas, as it is now almost impos-
sible to determine whether natural rocks were omitted from the
grounds laid out in 1892, and it is too late to correct such omissions
if they could: be determined. For legal purposes, all that is not
avowedly public ground is barren bottom, and if held under leasehold
from the State can not be alienated from the possession of the lessees
as long as the law has been complied with.

The methods followed have been essentially those pursued in for-
mer surveys conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries, with the changes
and improvements dictated by recent experience and the local
conditions. - ;

The Coast and Geodetic Survey furnished projections on which
were platted the triangulation points used in former surveys by that
bureau. Several of these points, including the light-houses, were
‘“‘recovered,’’ and from them the signals, usually tripods, erected where
necessary, were cut in and platted by means of the sextant and
3-arm protractor. This method, while lacking the great precision
attained by means of the best theodolites and the nice computations
employed by the Coast Survey in its work, insures an accuracy more
than sufficient for the purposes of an oyster survey.

The oyster beds were discovered by soundings with a lead line,
but principally by means of a length of chain dragged over the bottom
at the end of a copper wire running from the sounding boat. The
wire was wound on a reel and its unwound length was adjusted to
the depth of water and the speed of the launch, so that the chain was
always on the bottom. Whenever the chain touched a shell or an
oyster the shock or vibration was transmitted up the wire to the hand
of a man whose sole duty it was to give heed to such signals and
report them to the recorder.

The launches from which the soundings were made were run at a
speed of between 3 and 4 miles per hour, usually on ranges ashore
to insure the rectitude of the lines. At intervals of three min-
utes—in some cases two minutes—the position of the boat was
determined by two simultaneous sextant observations of the angles
between a set of three signals, the middle one of which was common
to the two angles, the position being immediately platted on the
bout sheet. At regular intervals of twenty seconds, as measured by

10 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

a clock under the observation of the recorder, the leadsman made a
sounding and reported to the recorder the depth of water and the
character of the bottom, immediately after which the man at the
wire reported the character of the chain indications since the last
sounding—that is, whether they showed barren bottom or dense,
scattering, or very scattering erowths of oysters.

With the boat running at 3 miles per hour the counidwie were
between 80 and 90 feet apart and, as the speed of the boat was uni-
form, the location of each was determinable within a yard or two
by dividing the platted distance between the positions determined
by the sextant by the number of soundings. The chain, of course,
gave a continuous indication of the character of the bottom, but the
record was made at the regular twenty-second intervals observed in
‘sounding.

The chain, while indicating the absence or the relative abundance
of objects on the bottom, gives no information as to whether they
are shells or oysters, nor, if the latter, their size and condition. To
obtain this data it was necessary to supplement the observations
already described by others more definite in respect to the desired
particulars. Whenever in the opinion of the officer in charge of the
sounding boat such information was required, a numbered buoy was
dropped, the time and number being entered in the sounding book.
Another launch, following the sounding boat, anchored alongside
the buoy, and a quantity of the oysters and shells were tonged up,
separated by sizes, and counted.

In former surveys made by the writer, in order to arrive at an
estimate of the density of the oyster growth a definite area, usually
5 yards, was staked off by means of steel-shod pikes and everything was
removed from the bottom and counted. This method is accurate,
but slow and difficult in deep water, and, as it was desirable to make
a large number of observations, the system developed in the Maryland
survey was adopted. This consists essentially in making a known
number of ‘‘erabs” with the oyster tongs, exercising care to clean
the bottom of oysters as thoroughly as possible at each grab. Ina
given depth of water and using the same boat and tongs an oysterman
will cover practically the same area of the bottom at each grab, but,
other factors remaining the same, the area of the grab will decrease
with an increase in the depth.

Careful measurements were made and tabulated showing the area
per grab covered by the tonger employed on the work at each foot of
depth of water and for each pair of tongs and boat used. With this
data, and knowing the number of “‘grabs,” the number of oysters
of each size per square yard of bottom was readily obtainable by
simple calculation. The following example will illustrate the data
obtained and the form of the record:

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 11
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR.
BUREAU OF FISHERIES.

Field record of examinations of oyster beds.

General locality: James River.
Local name of oyster ground: Between Rock wharf and Spindle rock.

Date: August 28, 1909. Time: 9.25 a. m.

Angle: F. 140. Buoy No.: 23.

Depth: 7 feet. Bottom: Hard.

Condition of water: Medium clear.

MeTSIt yee ence eee a eee ee MeMPOnAGULe ss ohne c'5: ISOeT a ae ia eee,
BO UEEOT Lae cabs ewe a Aes eee nets StAGe OF SIM er cei gea os. 5 deel: Hela ke

Tongman: Lawrence, in flatboat.

No. grabs made: 8. Tongs: 14 feet.

Total area covered: 34 square yards . Enodeddasncdode soondeasAceseE soBEBeN ees

-—Lin.: 27. 1in.—X in.: 69.
No. oysters taken: {x in.—4 in.: 10. Ain.: 3.

Quantity shells: 4 bushel.
Spat per square yard: 7.7.
Result: ems per square yard: 19.7.
Counts per square yard: 3.7.

X in.=cull limit prescribed by law.

This furnishes an exact statement of the condition of the bed at a
spot which can be platted on the chart with error in position of not
‘more than a few yards. From the data obtained a close estimate
may be formed of the bushels of oysters and shells per acre in the
vicinity of the examination and, by multiplying the observations,
for the bed as a whole. In the course of the survey 590 observations
were made at various places, principally on the natural rocks, but
some on the barren bottoms also.

In former surveys by the Bureau the relative density of the oyster
growth has been considered solely from the standpoint of the total
quantity of oysters. That method is satisfactory where the depth
is fairly uniform throughout the region examined, but was not con-
sidered accurate enough for the purposes of the present report.

With a given quantity of oysters per square yard or acre, a bed
lying in shoal water is more valuable commercially than one in deep
water, owing to the fact that the labor of the tonger is more efficient
inthe former. As has been pointed out, the area covered by a “‘grab”’
decreases with an increase in depth, and, moreover, the deeper the
water the greater is the labor involved in making the “grab” and
the smaller is the number of grabs which can be made per hour or
per day. With 14-foot tongs used from a canoe, such as is employed

12 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

on the James River, an oysterman can cover twice as much bottom
per grab in 4 feet as he can in 8 feet, and about two and one-half
times as much as he can using 20-foot tongs in 16 feet. Using the
tongs stated, the average tonger observed in Maryland, and the data
will hold in Virginia, will make about 2.7 grabs per minute in 4 feet,
2.6 in 8 feet, and 1.8 in 16 feet of water. In other words, if he can
cover 1 square yard of the bottom in a given time in 16 feet, he can
cover 1.7 yards in 8 feet, and 3.3 yards in 4 feet of water.

It is obvious that if a tonger in a given time is to obtain the same
quantity of oysters in each of these depths, the oyster growth must lie
on the bottom with a density inversely to the areas stated above.
The value of a bed, the price per bushel of the oysters being the same,
depends on the quantity which a man can take in a given time, and
it therefore happens that a bed in deep water may be valueless com-
mercially, while another rock, with the same density of growth but
covered by shoaler water, may be tonged with profit.

Based on these principles, and taking into consideration the number
of oysters per bushel on the different beds as determined by actual
counts, tables were prepared showing the number of oysters per
square yard for each foot of depth necessary to yield to the tonger
1 bushel of oysters per day of tonging. From these data the beds
were divided into areas, according to the number of bushels of
oysters which they were capable of yielding per day to the tonger,
based on nine hours of actual tonging and disregarding the time
occupied in culling. The bottom was divided into 5 categories:
Barren, on which there were neither shells nor oysters; depleted, on
which the tonger could take less than 3 bushels of market oysters or
4 bushels of seed, according to location; very scattering growth, on
which between 3 and 5 bushels of oysters or 4 and 8 bushels of seed
could be taken; scattering growth, on which the limits were 5 and 8
bushels of market oysters or 8 and 12 bushels of seed; and areas of
dense growth, on which upward of 8 bushels of market oysters or 12
bushels of seed could be taken per day.

During the survey 10,440 soundings were taken, and the position of
the boat was instrumentally determined at 1,369 places. The chain
was dragged for 226 miles, giving continuous indications of the char-
acter of the bottom, which were plotted on the chart at 10,440 places.
The density of oyster growth was determined by the 590 biological
observations already referred to, and the extent and boundaries
of the areas as charted were fixed by a combination of these observa-
tions and the 10,440 records of the continuous chain readings. Dur-
ing the work the writer was in charge of the sounding boat and in
constant touch with all operations. The biological observations
were all under the immediate charge of Mr. T. E. B. Pope, whose

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 13

experience in such work is such as insured their accuracy both as
to the area covered by the tonger and the quantity of oysters
taken. The oysters brought in by the biological party were all
examined by the author, who has also personally made all of the
many calculations required and directly supervised the laying off
of the areas on the charts. The basis for the determination of the
character of the beds was decided on in advance, but the work of
the survey was so planned that it was impossible for any member
of the party to form an opinion as to the conditions found until
after the field work was completed, and, any involuntary prejudice
was thus eliminated as far as possible. The author himself could
form but a vague idea of the general results until the charts were
completed and the report almost written.

In the following pages the subject is gradually developed from a
detailed description of the several parts of the individual natural
rocks to a broad consideration of the market oyster and seed areas
as a whole, and in every case there is given the principal data on
which the several statements are based.

OYSTER ROCKS.

The term ‘‘oyster rock,” as used in Virginia and employed in this
report, is synonymous with natural oyster bed and is to be distin-
guished from the term ‘‘public ground,” which is used to designate
the areas legally embraced within surveyed lines and set apart for
the use of the public. The public grounds were intended to embrace
all of the oyster rocks, and usually each includes a number of the
latter within its confines.

An oyster rock is usually a more or less definite area of bottom,
limited by the extent of actual oyster growth. Originally, the bound-
aries were rather definitely marked and the rocks were separated from
one another by barren areas, but the operations of oystering have in
many cases strewn oysters and shells over the surrounding bottom,
so that in cases the original limits have become obscured and adjacent
rocks merged.

On the accompanying chart much of the bottom indicated as
depleted really represents the areas which have been thus covered
with scattered oysters and shells, and the term employed indicates
that oysters and shells are very scarce rather than that they have been
removed, though the latter is the fact in many cases. The so-called
“depleted ” areas are those on which oysters grow in quantities much
below those which would make it commercially profitable to tong
for them.

The boundaries of the rocks, as shown by the red inclosing lines
on the charts and as considered in the text, were defined by the

14 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

results of the chain indications, the methods of obtaining which
have been before explained. All areas in which shells or oysters
were encountered are regarded as rocks, but their character, so far
as productiveness is concerned, was determined by tonging and
counting the yield in the manner heretofore described. The de-
pleted areas, except where it is shown that they contain a reasonably
heavy growth of young, may be regarded as worthless from the
viewpoint of the tonger; the areas of very scattering growth are of
doubtful value except where a heavy growth of young oysters indi-
cates potential improvement, while the areas of scattering and dense
growth can be regarded as really productive natural rocks. The
-barren bottom, which is shown on the chart as an unshaded area
outside of the red lines, is that on which neither oysters nor shells
were found. A few small unshaded areas inclosed by red lines indi-
cate beds the exact nature of which was not accurately determined.

An attempt is made in this report to designate the rocks by the
names employed by the oystermen, so far as these could be ascer-
tained. In several cases, as for instance ‘Fishing Point Rocks”’
and ‘‘Marshy Island Rock,” names have been coined to serve the
purposes of reference and designation. The exact extent of Point
of Shoals Rock was not definitely ascertained, and as shown on the
chart it may not accord with the usage of the oystermen. There
was also some doubt about the location of Kettle Hole and Thomas
Point Rocks, but, as the names used in the text are clearly shown
on the charts, there can be no confusion in the references. In a
number of cases where the several beds were more or less continuous
with one another arbitrary boundaries have been adopted, but,-as
these usually pass through depleted areas and as in a later discus-
sion the rocks are considered as a whole in their grouping in the
public beds, the necessity for this treatment causes no loss in the
final accuracy or exactitude.

In the following pages the rocks are considered in detail.

MARKET OYSTER AREA.
HOLLANDS ROCK.

This was intended to be included by the Baylor survey in Public
Ground No.3, Nansemond County, though it is stated that a mistake
was made by which it was omitted. The area, 22 acres, which is
described under this name included the only bottom within the public
ground which gave any indication of being an oyster bed, though the
examination showed it to be depleted. It is completely surrounded
by planted beds.

The results of the examination were as follows:

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 15

Deraits oF EXAMINATION oF HoLLANDs Rock.

Mean Oysters cpu per Estimated quantity of
ayia square yard. oyste acre.
penton Date of ex- | depth | Character of growth & Die SR car
ee amination. | of wa- | of market oysters. |— sl -
ver. Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total.
; Feet. ‘ Bush. Bush. | Bush.
4| Aug. 9,1909 11.0 | Depleted.........- 0 0. 4 1.8 3 29 32
30 | Aug. 11,1909 OG) Sadoo Ose ase nese 0 0 0 0 0 a
|

NANSEMOND RIDGE ROCK.

This is the ptincipal and only productive bed in Nansemond
River. It lies mainly on and about a shoal extending through the
middle of the river from Cedar Point almost to the middle of James
River, opposite Newport News. At its northern end it is connected,
by an unproductive, practically barren area, with three smaller rocks
hereafter described. Its area, density of oyster growth, and con-
tents are as follows:

OystER GROWTH ON NANSEMOND RIDGE Rock.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated
content
of market

Seed. Market. | oysters.

Character of growth of market oysters. Area.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
148 93 7,905

Dense Sek e ee se Biel SY oi SAN GE RNIN CESS xr earns oid 85

Scattering ee see ee ee 446 133 60 26, 760

Very scattering 294 34 37 10, 878

IDG cleat yea Seca E Bee Seen In Onna an cau es emo ee ye ae 782 35 | 11 8, 602
CO) ie NS aa lt i ie en a Rie elon MON Cy MT HT sea aes TSO (el Rea oeeee se) EaOmae cee 54, 145

The market oysters on this bed are large, averaging at the time
of the survey a few over 300 per bushel. They are said to attain
a good condition, particularly late in the season, and are used mainly
by shucking houses. The small oysters ran about 750 per bushel.

The broadest, largest, and most productive part of the bed stretches
northward from opposite Pig Point on the west side of the channel.
It is estimated that this portion has an area of about 1,156 acres, of
which 69 acres bear a dense growth of market oysters, 386 acres a
scattering growth, 201 acres a very scattering growth, and 500 acres
are depleted. The latter does not include the barren bottom embraced
between the edges of the bed and the lines of the Baylor survey. It
is further estimated that on the dense bottom a man tonging exclu-
sively could take in a day about 10 bushels of market oysters, on the
scattering area about 6 bushels, on the very scattering part about 3}
bushels, while on the depleted area he could not take an average of
over 1 bushel. These estimates are for the beginning of the season,

20201—10 —2

16 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

and any considerable tonging of the beds would soon materially reduce
the average catch per day.

In the dense and scattering parts of this portion of the bed, especially
near the crest of the ridge, there is a growth of small oysters so dense
that an average of upward of 12 bushels could be tonged per day,
and these areas can undoubtedly be regarded as both presently and
prospectively productive. There is also a dense growth of young
oysters on the inner parts of the depleted area opposite Nansemond
River Light. On the areas of very scattering growth the small oysters
are in even smaller quantity than the market oysters, but in places
there are clean shells in sufficient quantity to indicate that under
proper conditions a good set aig occur and the bottom become
fairly productive.

Above a line drawn between Pig Point and Barrel Point the bed
may be divided into two parts, one a tail-like continuation of the
main bed running along the eastern edge of the channel and the other
a detached portion lying on a shoal west of the channel, north of Lar-
kins Rock. The former has 126 acres of depleted bottom and two
small patches, one of scattering growth covering about 22 acres and
the other of about 41 acres on which the oysters are very scattering.
The detached area covers about 260 acres, of which 15 are dense, 39
scattering, 51 very scattering, and 155 depleted. On the areas of
dense and scattering growths of market oysters there is a heavy
erowth of culls, but the scattering and depleted areas are generally
impoverished of young.

On the two areas just described as lying above a line between Pig
and Barrel points it is estimated that there are 15 acres of dense growth
on which a man could tong an average of about 8 barrels of market
oysters per day, 61 acres on which he could average about 5 bushels,
92 acres of very scattering growth where he could take about 4 bushels
per day, and 281 acres of depleted bottom which will not yield 1
bushel per day. On the depleted area there are few young oysters
and practically no shells. The barren bottom lying within this part
of the Baylor survey, on which oysters do not now grow and appar-
ently never have grown in marketable quantities, nearly equals all
of the foregoing combined, covering about 430 acres. The barren
and depleted bottom together aggregate about 711 acres, while all of
the bottom which is capable of yielding even as little as 3 bushels per
day, exclusive of the time consumed in culling, covers about 168 acres.
In other words, at least 80 per cent of the area is at present commer-
cially worthless.

The observations, in addition to the sounding and chain investi-
gations, on which the foregoing is based, are as follows:

<OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

i

Derams OF EXAMINATION OF NANSEMOND RipGE Rocks.

Estimated quantity oys-
ters per acre.

oaks Oysters caught per
i uar rd.
Ststion Date of ex- | depth | Character of growth sduateyard
ber. amination. | of wa- | of market oysters.
ter. Spat. | Culls. | Counts.
Feet.

1] Aug. 9,1909 155Ou|Denseeeeene eee 6.0 5.1 8.2
549 | Sept. 13,1909 GS lssess GO eee ees 4.7 27.7 4.7
582 | Sept. 14, 1909 OH esses COs einsbesesie 3.9 21.2 4.4

15] Aug. iO) 1909 6.0 | Scattering. .....--- nee 13.4 2.7
IS]. secC@sedease Hil § Isgece GOtea eer eeceee ~2 .0 4.0
33 | Aug. “b, 1909 10..5) loseas CO nee eee -6 12.4 4.6
SANE GWecsaose het eee GOMs ee eakee 4.8 13.3 3.6
425 Ghysaeenee OF 5) Soe GOR eae 2) -6 4.5
550 | Sept. 13, 1909 BG Wands OMe are os 253 11.6 2.3
576 | Sept. 14, 1909 Ho Veeode Choe seeeassococe 1.8 9.7 3.1
ileal ene does SUO ee: CO AAO 45.0 26.6 3.9
S03} || oe ce donate I @ |esece doe ae as 4.0} 16.3 4.0
ONO) Nee dots. (B,(0) loser GONE Meee ee 5.3 27.3 3.5
580 }___.. done: Eee Oana 5.3 25.6 4.2
OSes doa eee SYS ea CG oye Sh ea 3.4 15.7 4.9
7 | Aug. 9,1909 10.0 | Very scattering - - 2.9 9.3 1.8
21 | Aug. 10,1909 ©, O\en20- GUO Coe eer .4 1 ON
26 | Aug. 11,1909 OF We eoce OMe ae aes 1.6 10.9 2.8
35 ue 22, 1909 a5 5 | eee Gh) Es ee 9 3.8 O),9}
SH) he a Ko) Been MONO esece On Seance eee a2, 4 253
C8) Too eee a Sete OB eo ck4 Owe ue alae 8 2.4 3.1
542 | Sept. 13,1909 | . 6.0]..... (610) eee ee ae -0 -8 1.4

2] Aug. 9,1909 12.0 | Depleted ...-..-.-- -0 -0 9

3) Res donsessee @0) |lsasoa Goss ke een eee 3.5 20.0 9

@ |ssece CWeses5ad5 ESO bese Gee ene rceae 8.4 23.9 -6

11 | Aug. 10,1909 G49 |ocoee GOs es es 1.8 13.3 of)
Wee see Co Koy ene GoW sess Ome aoe 2.1 4.5 9
13) || S506 Gover ore UeB locos Gos eres eee as -0 -0 -3
WOH eee dons t WA |ao5e6 Coe se aes ee 0 -0 -4
25 | Aug. 11,1909 NO.@ Ieee GOs aseneeeone .0 .0 -0
36 | Aug. 12,1909 10,5) |-5- 2 onan Rae te 08) 1.8 1.3
B13 jesooe donee: CEOs suas dol ies bY 9 1.3
BON ere donee HOS) eaves Gorgas ea .4 all 14
Ale Gone sss ONO} | eee DO ee ey of 3.5 1.9
547 | Sept. ue, 1909 WoO |edisae dose eee a2, otf ial
0483-4 asd ose ek: G8), s04¢ dose Awash aie .0 .0 -2
ol eee ee CLO Uoaillseeee GOs 11583 2.9 ao
574 | Sept. aa 1909 0.8 |\leose OS ee ee -0 -0 -0
GIB |lnos5c doses CPO ease dose -0 -0 .0
OSSn|Ree ee (nN San eae Zo |bosee GOs ees 2.6 10.0 1.1
OS 4y eee donee LORS) eee Lohse ieee a ane -0 -0 .0
HY Nor cesOOsscoues 1 © |lsoess CORES Mee an .0 -0 -0

Seed. | Market. | Total
Bush. Bush. Bush.

72 132 204
209 76 285
163 71 234
98 43 141
1 64 65
85 74 159
111 58 169
5 72 77
90 37 127
75 50 125
466 63 529
132 64 196
212 56 268
201 68 269
124 79 203
79 29 108
16 43 59
81 45 126
31 30) 66
4 37 41
21 50 71
5 23 25
0 15 15
153 15 168
210 10 220
98 8 106
43 14 57
0 5 5
0 6 6
0 0 0

8 21 29
10 21 31
7 19 26
27 31 58
6 18 24
0 3 3
27 8 35
0 0 0
0 0 0
82 18 100
0 0 0
0 0 0

LARKINS ROCK.

This is a small bed in Nansemond River at the extreme southwest

corner of Public Ground No. 2.

As developed by the survey it has

an area of about 39 acres and a depth varying from 44 to 8 feet at
It is stated that the product of this bed has beenin
demand by shucking houses, the size and quality being generally
good and the condition fat, especially early in spring. The market
oysters found by the survey averaged between 300 and 350 to the
bushel and the small oysters about 750 per bushel.

The bed at present bears market oysters at the average density of
about 5 bushels per acre, though in spots the production is as high as

mean-low water.

18 bushels.

bushels and a maximum of 31 bushels per acre.

At the present time this bed must be regarded as depleted, as at
none of the,spots examined could a man tong more than 2 bushels of
oysters per day, and the average yield, taking the bed as a whole,

The young growth has an average density of about 10

is) OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA..

would be hardly more than one-half bushel per day. The young
erowth is sparse and the shells few. The bed bears the aspect of hav-
ing been carried off bodily for planting purposes, a depredation to
which its location makes it susceptible. The results of detailed ex-
aminations are as follows:

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF LARKINS ROCK.

Maen Oysters epusht per Estimated quantity oys-
i 2 t ‘
Biation Date of ex- | depth | Character of growth oe een ; ieee ri
nen amination. of wa- | of market oysters.
ter. Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total.
Feet. ; Bush. Bush. | Bush.
20 |} Aug. 10,1909 8.5 | Depleted... ke 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0
27| Aug. ae 1909 Tb \lascee Goneeees -0 -0 0 0 0 0
28\il eee GO) sya O30) |Ibcaae Gos. .5: 0 3.5 1 23 2 25
544 | Sept. 13, 1909 Gyonleeeee One eettetare ices 0 -0 0 0 0 0
545 |. 22. dose CUSAUIN Rgeee GO sees 2 Ppp Tf ile il 31 18 49
5 AGh eee Goseeee G5 occa, Gone. cheese 0 -6 6 4 10 14
|

DRUM SHOAL ROCK.

This is a small bed located at the northwest corner of Public Ground
No. 2 in Nansemond County. Its area, density of oyster growth,
and estimated contents are as follows:

OysTER GROWTH ON Drum SHOAL Rock.

Oysters per acre. | Bstimated

; : ‘ Le content of
Character of growth of market oysters. Area. aaa

Seed. Market. oysters.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

Scatierin erst tse a ene aa Me ellis ie Eo Ua Soot Le ACRE a enero 19 92 50 950
Menycscatlterin gs oes. oe sence veces 2 sate Syste Shae ees ao ah By at 14 61 39 546
Depleted saws cee eR ea ee See Cre beet eters OS ete eet hee 95 62 29 2, 755

Mo taleswen see Sa ears cise =e ee eee ee een eer era LORIE RE dea eae oe ee 4,251

This bed was doubtless originally restricted to the area of the
shoal which is now covered by the scattering and very scattering
growth, but oysters and shells have become scattered over the sur-
rounding bottom and it is now connected, by means of a depleted
area, with Nansemond Ridge Rock on the south and Newport News
Rock on the west.

The scattering growth lies in a depth of from 6 to 8 feet at mean
low water and the market oysters grow in such quantity that a
tonger of average ability can take about 5 bushels per day. The
very scattering growth is at the eastern side of the shoal and has
oysters in sufficient numbers to yield about 34 bushels per day.
The density of growth shown for the depleted area in the table pro-
duced above is in excess of the actual conditions, as the examina-

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 19

tions on which it was based were taken in close proximity to the edge
of the shoal, while the more distant bottom is more denuded. The
growth of young on the productive part of the rock is fair, being
sufficient to yield about 9 bushels per day on the scattered area and
about 6 bushels on the very scattered area and about the edges of
the shoal.

Following is the record of observations on this bed:

Detaits oF EXAMINATION OF Drum SHOAL Rock.

Oysters caught per Estimated quantity oys-

i Mean square yard. ters per acre.
piston Date of ex- | depth | Character of growth a y Dp

her amination. | of wa: | of market oysters.

Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total.

Feet Bush. | Bush Bush
585 | Sept. 14, 1909 8.0 | Scattering........- 2.6 11.6 Sal 92 50
| Eaeee doles. 9.0 | Very scattering. --. 1.5 7.9 2.4 61 39 100
44 | Aug. 12,1909 10.5 | Depleted.......... ot 6.1 1.9 44 31 75
AS No aee OWzssocc05 Shi looooe Go eee ices -9 12.0 iL 7/ 84 27 111

NEWPORT NEWS ROCK.

This lies in the overlapping portions of Public Grounds No. 2,
Nansemond County, and No. 6, Isle of Wight County, north of
Nansemond Ridge, and between Drum Shoal on the east and Cruiser
Rock on the west. Its estimated area, density of growth, and
contents are as follows:

OystER GROWTH ON Newport News Rock.

; Oysters per acre. | Estimated

ms u, content of
Character of growth of market oysters. Area. aa ete

Seed. Market. oysters.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
if

PD CTISC Ny Basen Mi EN oe SNS Sail emote ten Ol 4 93 08 432
PSLRA ey ea age eh ee A NIE IY A Ue ee BI ae 27 75 63 1,701
IMERyASCAULETIM xem eet ae Mails eye er ye maraees ste LAUR ms 12 83 35 420
VD VEY HEL ire Tana ots as cts IN Ss ee Mas A ane 129 34 27 3, 483

ELIYG HED Gc 8 DN LN ata Aa aE i ELA 7 Dh |e see uae dats OAR 6,036

The rock in reality consists of several shoal spots separated by
areas of depleted bottom in deeper water. The dense area is a small
spot lying by itself in about 8 feet of water at low tide, and it bears
market oysters in sufficient quantity to yield to the tonger about
9 bushels per day, and the young growth is in nearly the same
quantity. The scattered and very scattered growth lies on Cruiser
Shoal proper, the former being sufficiently productive to yield about
6 bushels and the latter about 3 bushels per day. On both of these
areas there is a fair growth of young, sufficient to yield about 6
bushels per day.

20 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

At the eastern edge of the rock, as defined on the chart, there is a
dense growth, not shown, which lies just outside of the Baylor line,
and running south from this is a growth of young oysters on the
so-called depleted bottom sufficient to yield about 4 bushels per day.
The depleted bottom on the whole will yield about 2 bushels of
market oysters per day and about the same quantity of young.

The following are the results of examinations on this rock:

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF NEwrPort News Rock.

Meee Oysters cauent per Estimated quantity oys-
7 squ 2 t 5
Station Date of ex- | depth | Character of growth Sens es a
nan amination. | of wa- | of market oysters.
ter. Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total.
Feet. Bush. Bush. Bush.
52 | Aug. 13,1909 12.0 | Dense............- 0.7 13.6 6.7 93 108 201
B33 essen Gort ere 9.0 | Scattering......... 1.1 9.8 4.7 71 76 147
LY eo sso dosha: Ie |jeseas GO eee ceaee 1.8 10. 2 3.1 78 50 128
56 |.---- do....-.-| 10.0] Very scattering. -- 1.1 11.6 2.2 83 35 118
23 | Aug. 11,1909 9.5 | Depleted........-. 3.1 5.1 1.6 53 26 79
46 | Aug. 12,1909 OB Noseee GOP eae wh 4.9 1.8 36 30 66
54 | Aug. 13,1909 10.0 }...-.. GOs Ae same il, i 1.1 1.6 14 26 40

CRUISER SHOAL ROCK.

This rock lies on and about the shoal that gives it its name, mainly
in Public Ground No. 6, Warwick County, but partly in the area
common to that ground and No. 2, Nansemond County. Its area
and condition are shown in the following table:

OystER GROWTH ON CRUISER SHOAL Rock.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated

See ene | FContentian

Character of growth of market OSE Area. STEOn

Seed. Market. | oysters.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. |} Bushels.
BUY OTA Svs tae OTA ES SIMU AEA dea Oi SARS LT EY MeO et Op 27 140 156 4,212
SCevG Cri ra SVAN ee ORs A MR ED Se Be Ne ek UES AC) deo ee 19 47 53 1,007
MVeRyASCA GLERIM SoS hye katana) pattem seul ene Rea Sea ee ea Bu 26 51 28 728
Depleted ee ayer ees aN ae AED VA I a fils Bana hee 32 66 9 288
No ie LS ee a Ot Se ND oR PE MOMS EAS aan MSS paaetaoad 104 a) aieeen as sleet sokeere 6, 235

The dense and scattered areas follow the line of a very shallow
ridge which forms the backbone of the shoal, the former being capa-
ble of yielding from 10 to 20 bushels of oysters per day and the
latter about 5. The area of very scattering growth lies on each side
of the more prolific areas and is capable of yielding about 3 bushels
of market oysters per day’s tonging. The depleted area will yield
an average of not over 1 bushel of market oysters per day, and the
parts more distant from the ridge are practically bare. Close to the
ridge, even on some of the bottom depleted of market oysters, the

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 21

growth of young is good enough to yield an average of about 15
bushels per day to the tonger; but on the very scattering and
depleted areas further removed from the ridge the young growth is
sparse.

The following table shows the results of the examinations made
on this bed:

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF CRUISER SHOAL ROCK.

‘ Mees Oysters caught per Estimated quantity oys-
station Date ofex- | depth | Character of growth peo Pees.
THER. amination. QU WES |) Oi META a5 Oy SUES |
ter. Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total.
~ | Feet. Bush. Bush. | Bush
58 | Aug. 13,1909 10.5 | Dense............- 4.0 21.0 7.3 162 117 79
589 | Sept. 14, 1909 OoGewes GO Re: 1, 17.0 12a 120 195 315
51 | Aug. 12,1909 950) | Scattering! s.- 225 =~ 08 7.0 3.3 47 53 100
GD eeoe doe 11.0 | Very scattering. . 12 4 2.0 4 32 36
57 | Aug. 13,1909 Use lsodac GOPHERS et 1.8 13.4 1.6 99 25 124
47 | Aug. 12) 1909 9.0 | Depleted.......-.- io) 4.5 ot 32 il 43
59 | Aug. 13,1909 WWEO |soees Gone sae .0 -0 .0 0
590°] Sept. 14,1909 @O |lcssca Clty eee nn 5.3 20.2 -9 166 15 181

FLAT ROCK AND ADJACENT SMALL BEDS.

Flat Rock is a small bed bearing a dense growth of market oysters
lying in the southeast corner of Public Ground No. 6, Warwick County.
The examination of this rock was not satisfactory, as owing to an
error in platting in the field certain positions supposed to be on the
bed proved to be on adjacent planted beds. The single examination,
in connection with traversing lines of chain readings, indicates a
growth over the entire area which will yield to the tonger an average
of about 9 bushels of market oysters perday. There were practically
no small oysters or shells, and there was some reason to believe that
the place had been planted, though it was fully 200 yards inside of the
Baylor lines.

North of Flat Rock is a small depleted area, covering about 7 acres,
on which there are about 26 bushels of market oysters and 16 bushels
of young oysters per acre, and on which it is computed that a tonger
could take not over 2 bushels of oysters per day.

West of Cruiser Rock is another unnamed bed of very scattering
oysters. Its area is about 5 acres, with an average of 42 bushels of —
market oysters and 55 bushels of seed oysters per acre, and it is esti-
mated that a tonger could take about 34 bushels of awh per day.

Northwest of Flat Rock, at intervals of about 400 yards, are two
small beds where the* water does not shoal, on which no deter-
minations were made except with the chain. The indications are of
very scattering growths. The areas are about 5 and 2 acres, respec-
tively. The data relating to the several beds examined are as follows:

29, OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF FLAT Rock AND SMALL BEDS BETWEEN NANSEMOND
RIDGE AND FisHine Point.

Monn Oysters Gault per Estimated quantity oys-
Blation Date of ex- | depth | Character of growth Gah catke ae Hers Ben ecre:
ina. amination. | of wa- | of market oysters.
ter. Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total.
Feet. : Bush. Bush. | Bush.
31 | Aug. 11,1909 10:5) Denses=eeeeeeeeree 0.2 0.2 6.7 3 108 111
48 | Aug. 12,1909 10.0 | Very scattering. .-. 1.8 6.7 2.6 55 42 97
32 | Aug. 11,1909 10.5 | Depleted........-- 0 2.4 1.6 16 26 42

HIGH SHOAL ROCK.

High Shoal Rock is conspicuous from its position, near the middle
of James River, surrounding a shoal of sand and broken shells bare
at practically all times. The highest part of the shoal is near the
channel, from which it extends shoreward toward Fishing Point.
The bed, including the depleted parts, is quadrangular in shape,
with its more productive areas extending at right angles to the shores
along its major diameter. Its extent and density of growth are as
follows:

OysTtER GROWTH on High SHoaL Rock.

Oysters per acre. | Bstimated
content of
| market
Seed. | Market. | oysters.

Character of growth of market oysters. Area.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

IDES sy Gn Onen So HARA MAH GOSED Sar b Hoa SCS bap oRB aA aoereaanaeaue 24 134 90 2; 160
Scattering essa One aye a ie SCR SE See Pes Re 13 127 | 48 624
WOR REIGN Ye cons secs saousoocessbeonasoecouscubeeseasgsucedos 24 58 | 25 600
Depletedeerereece cee eee see ee eee eee ere eee aire 95 8 | 83 807

MBO 2) UA (aN SY tara ys elm ONT SES es oS ay ADDS Beale a 156) EEN ese Desa srs a 4,191

The dense area extends along practically the entire length of the
shoal, as a narrow strip on both sides but especially to the eastward
of the highest ridge. The market oysters are somewhat smaller
than those in water a little deeper, but on the bed as a whole they
were found to average about 400 to the bushel. It is estimated that
on this area a tonger could take about 10 bushels of oysters per day.

The area of scattering growth forms a strip on the southern side of
the bed along the edge of a deep swash channel which separates it
from one of the neighboring Fishing Point Rocks. Market oysters
are produced in sufficient abundance to yield the tonger about 64
bushels per day. The very scattering area les to the eastward of the
dense area and north of the scattering, and produces oysters sufhi-
cient to furnish the tonger about 3 to 34 bushels per day.

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 23

The depleted area, which constitutes the major portion of the bed
as delineated on the chart, is principally on the western or upstream
side, though a strip averaging about 100 yards in width extends
around the outer end of the shoal and along its entire eastern side.
This area will nowhere yield to the tonger more than about 24
bushels of oysters per day, and the average yield of all places exam-
ined would not be over 1 bushel.

The growth of young oysters on the areas charted as dense and
scattering and on the very scattering part closer to the ridge is pro-
lific enough to yield a tonger from 8 to 25 bushels per day, the average
of all places examined being about 17 bushels. Clean shells were |
abundant on the three productive areas and in the depleted area
close to the ridge.

- The data on which the foregoing statements are based is as follows:

DerTaits oF EXAMINATION OF HicH SHOAL Rock.

prs Oysters caught per Estimated quantity oys-
c are yard. ters per acre.
Station | Date of ex- depth | Character of growth| - Bebe ae
mere amination. of wa- | of market oysters.
Len Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total.
Feet. Bush. Bush. | Bush.
68 | Aug. 13,1909 (EON PDenseenee aes one ae 3.6 10.9 7.8 94 94 188
7) |lsesee dose: (eGpecee Ones cent 10.0 17.0 10.3 175 125 300
473 | Sept. 7,1909 ONO eee Gl ae ema cee Bue 12.4 2.6 101 32 132
AT AS Bee Glo eers GO lessee GOS ERS oe eee 3.2 22.5 8.4 167 102 269
67 | Aug. 13,1909 6.0 | Scattering. -.....-- 3.4 26.4 4.1 194 50 244
478 | Sept. 8,1909 @5) |lecske dO! bse saee ta 2.9 6.5 3.9 61 | 47 108
WYO Insc an doeetneee 8.0 | Very scattering .0 .3 2.9 2 35 37
OU Naceise Ones S$) Ieosce ORE Sa et 7.6 1,2 158) 115 16 131
63 | Aug. 13,1909 14.5 -0 .0 0 0 0 0
G4n ees Ome 1255 -0 2 1.8 i 22 23
QB Wencee domes 9.0 .0 .0 .0 0 0 0
FL | as doletens 8 4 2.2 1.8 17 | 22 39
470 | Sept. 7,1909 4.0 2.4 1.8 72 27 2 29
ATi ees dows ee 6.0 ISTE igual 2 17 16 20 36
AT 2h leas Goneen: 6.5 -0 1.0 Ise 6 | 20 26
479 | Sept. 8,1909 oS) .0 2 .0 1 |} 0 1
AS(Qn| eas donna 9.5 0) 13) | .0 8 | 0 8
4815 eee domereees 7.0 .0 -0 | .0 0 0 0
| |

TROUT SHOAL ROCK.

This bed occupies the southeastern part of Naseway Shoal. In
its depleted area it is continuous with Dog Shoal Rock, which occu-
pies the upper part of the same shoal, but is separated from the adja-
cent Fishing Point and High Shoal Rocks*by swash channels in which
there is an abrupt deepening of the water. The depth ranges from
low-water mark to 10 or 11 feet, the greater depths being found in a
pocket of deep water which extends far into Naseway shoal from the
westward.

24 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

The extent and productiveness of the bed are shown in the following
table:

OysTtER GROWTH ON TROUT SHOAL Rock.

Oysters per acre. | Wstimated
Character of growth of market oysters. Area. contentiog
Seed. Market. | oysters.
Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
Scatteningevwe ese Re sua ceca eh ae ala needa seteneye meeps 25 165 44 1,100
Mery scattering 2. 2eehs. Ge cetecke cides acca seat kere see aanee : 14 118 30 420
Depleted waste seek Sees eee eee CR ee see eE Eee 90 21 8 720
Mortal Lye Sis HOE Ue En aN aes ays BOS ean Sey ea te 1 al ee ets ey eee ees iS 2,240

There is no dense growth within the meaning of the definition
adopted in this report—that is, bottom on which 8 or more bushels
of market oysters may be tonged by a man working 9 hours. There
are two areas of scattering growth which lie as strips along the line
of a shoal largely exposed at low water. These areas are sufficiently
productive to yield from 5 to 10 bushels of market oysters per day
to the tonger, the average being about 7 bushels.

The only other productive bottom is a very scattering area occu-
pying the central and eastern portion of the rock, from the ridge to
the deep water lying between this shoal and High Shoal. On this
area a tonger can average a little over 3 bushels of oysters per day.
Depleted areas lie on each side of the shoal, that on the western side
being more extensive and continuous with the depleted area of Dog
Shoal rock. On these areas a tonger could take hardly a bushel of
market oysters per day, although there are spots a little more pro-
ductive. On the scattermg and very scattering areas of market
oysters the young growth is prolific, on the former being sufficient
to yield to the tonger an average of about 26 bushels per day and on
the latter about 16 bushels. On both of these areas there is an
abundance of clean shells suitable for taking a set of spat, but the
depleted areas have comparatively few shells and young oysters.

The following observations were made on this rock:

Deraits or Examination oF Trout SHoau Rock.

eee Oysters caught per Estimated quantity oys-
Staion Date of ex- | depth | Character of growth Bauateryand Here aer
WaT amination. of wa- | of market oysters.

ter. Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total

Feet. Bush. Bush. | Bush.
76 | Aug. 13,1909 6.5 | Seattering....-...- ee 32. 3 4.0 260 48 308
105 | Aug. 14, 1909 E> (al aaese Goekys Sieve See 1.0 16.1 2.4 111 29 140
482 | Sept. 8, 1909 ATO) |e) GOs eae 4.7 29.1 4.9 220 59 279
ASSHIeE Eee doe eete (awe oe Cops leap ieee 4.2 21.6 3.4 168 41 | 209
75 | Aug. 13,1909 6.0 | Very scattering... 4.3 18.3 2.0 147 24 171
106 | Aug. 14, 1909 6), Olliseada Gorse 8 25.6 1.8 171 22 193
OW |ns2ae dor seoune NOLO Weees- Goucher eee ht 4 18.7 She) 124 40 164
1108} ||, onc doves Oo iesace (6 oes Bees a) 4.8 2.8 31 34 65
72 | Aug. 13,1909 Hon eDepletedemenssesce 4 2.1 U7 16 21°} 37
483 | Sept. 8, 1909 WSO [554.55 GOS sae eee ae ail 2.3 .3 19 } 4 | 23
484 |.._.. doseeeee 56) locooe Goss setae ae 1.6 6.1 -6 50 7 57
AST eae Goseyaene (Oh le ooos Gonos tees -0 -0 -0 | 0 0 0

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 25
DOG SHOAL ROCK.

This bed occupies the northwestern or upstream part of Naseway
Shoal. The rocks are in reality two, separated by the tongue of
deeper water which makes into Naseway Shoal from the west and
extends well toward the ridge of Trout Shoal.

The larger rock is hook shaped and contains two areas of dense
growth and a long strip of very scattering oysters, both following
the line of a shell ridge bare in parts at low water. The smaller area
is a U-shaped ridge of scattering oysters lying between the deeper
water just mentioned and the swash channel, which separates it from
the adjacent Fishing Point rock.

The following table shows the area, density of growth, and esti-
mated oyster content of the rock:

OysTER GRowTH ON Doe SHoaL Rock.

Oysters per acre. | Bstimated
: content of
market

Seed. | Market. | oysters.

Character of growth of market oysters. Area.

ID AaB Olas 5 SASH Gy ACRES SD AAS e OA See eatin St acs) aa ae a ee 1 ,6
Scatterines ees ss BSAC OES Ctl oe ey SE aS ee eee eg 13 153 39 507
Menysscattering@s ees. 52 se= SES oe ee ene es a ree 35 22 27 945
IDGyo) Ute ES Bist Sa eh te eee Aa eee eee een eee 118 41 12 1,416
TROtelenele en MUR TEw Wipe tne wine at Si, Coma ait TS y| ligt ow eh |e 4,532

The dense areas produce market oysters in sufficient quantity to
yield the tonger an average of about 12 bushels per day, the scattering
area will yield about 6 bushels, and the very scattering about 3
bushels. On the depleted area the yield would be at no place more
than about 2 or 24 bushels of marketable stock, and the average at
all places examined was about 1 bushel.

The growth of young oysters on this rock is prolific, the density on
the dense and scattering areas of market oysters being sufficient to
yield the tonger an average of about 23 bushels per day. On the
area of very scattering growth the yield should be about 3 bushels of
young per day and on the depleted area about 4 bushels. The
average of the latter is brought up by the very dense growth of
young found in places close to the exposed ridge, where the quantity
of market oysters was negligible. Over all of the area shown on the
chart as depleted, excepting close to the productive areas, both clean
shells and young were practically absent. The market oysters on
this rock, like those on Trout Shoal and High Shoal, are compara-
tively small, averaging a little in-excess of 400 per bushel.

The data on which the foregoing description is based are as fol-
lows:

26

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF Dog SHOAL Rock.

ean Oysters oqueht per Psuusted quantity oys-
; square yard. TS per acre.
elation Date of ex- | depth |Character of growth ee Se Pere
nen amination. of wa- | of market oysters.
ter. Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total.
Feet. ; Bush. Bush. | Bush.
79 | Aug. 13,1909 He, || IDS), soossose5es- 10. 2 30.3 9.1 263 110 373
103 | Aug. 14,1909 DE On Benes dose aes. Be 2 21.0 6.0 160 73 233
TOYS a downers: ED ssead Gorter aes 4.2 21.2 3.0 165 36 201
491 | Sept. 8,1909 G30 |jssaa6 (0 (oasis aire 7.4 21.3 16.0 187 194 381
493 Rn Eeeee GOnsenews QuS resus G02 eaceeeeece .0 -0 9.0 0 109 109
102 | Aug. 14,1909 4.5 | Scattering.-...--..-- 1.2 15.2 2.4 106 29 135
465 | Sept. 3,1909 OO eceoe Goes sae 9.2 Pile i 4.1 201 49 250
78 | Aug. 13,1909 4.0 | Very scattering. -- 2.4 3.2 1.0 36 12 48
486 | Sept. 8,1909 SA OH sees Oe ee ee 0 4.5 2.0 29 33 62
AG2 Sehr: Goersaes- Ch) liseaes Gosek eae 0 2.0 3.0 13 36 49
494 |...-.- doses U0 llesoed (Clo Were Serer .0 0 2.1 0 25 25
496 |...-- CO sn sieos (|e ne dozer sas gas x6 3.0 2.4 23 |. 29 53
77 | Aug. 13,1909 leon Depleted eae ser =r 4.1 11.0 1.6 98 19 117
82) esee dose 8 coos Cla Ser oaaee 6.4 42.1 1.3 302 16 318
S30 eee dostenae ORO)s Maat Goee Puise ecesae 13 -0 2.3 2 28 30
101 | Aug. 14,1909 10,0 Hostess (6 (0) eee oe 0 28 nel 2 8 10
485 | Sept. 8,1909 A ee GOse ee eyes 0 aS) 73} 2 28 30
48a epee GOs sedocal B58 ecose ose eee ae 0 .0 .0 0 0 0
490 |..--- CWeasacose Hee oode Coe Sen ea neme 0 .0 il, ? 0 21 21
495 |...-- COE SS Se WW Nees Gh eee sane ese 0 38 .0 2 0 2
KOO) Nssdog doreeeens Qo e soos dose ise ese 0 38 .0 2 0 2
KO Nocoon doses cee Gaon aan Go wesa scm ee 0 .0 .0 0 0 0

FISHING POINT ROCKS.

These are two beds of considerable extent lying between High

Shoal and Naseway Shoal and Fishing Point.

The names by which

they are known to the oystermen were not learned. One of these
beds, embracing scattered and very scattered areas, lies between
High Shoal and the Baylor line, almost surrounded by deeper water;
the other, which includes dense, scattered, and depleted areas, lies
along the Baylor line inside of Naseway Shoal, from which it is sepa-
rated by a channel carrying from 8 to 10 feet at low water.

The statistics of the rocks are as follows:

OysTER GROWTH ON FisHine Point Rocks.

Oysters per acre. | Rstimated
x fe. ai content of

Character of growth of market oysters. Area. nea:

Seed. Market..| oysters.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
IDE ee ebseosauoshobeavocoosoaseodsdce Spa ate RE accep beau ha Dh 45 185 119 5,355
Scattering eee s oh Oe ee eae eee Se ARC ry sa ine Bane ers Sk 77 178 82 6,314
Very SCatteringess fea rt nica e Unit Mee eRe DEI Sy LE Rep IE 47 70 44 2,068
1D Yoyo) (sy Fa(o Ro pemnaeay MAURICE Aci NMS ce eie A Ne A Ne eA en clone 90 30 19 1,710
PROBED eh nee, Soest ego Ae A A Da Oe 209 Nil poe pee etal ee ee 15, 447

It is estimated that on the dense area a tonger could take an average
of 10 or 11 bushels of market oysters per day, and on the scattering

area about 7 bushels.

On the very scattering area the water is rather
deep, the beds in this vicinity ranging from about 12-to 22 feet at low
water, and although the density of growth is fair as compared with
other beds described, this reduces the probable yield to the tonger to

.an average of between 3 and 4 bushels per day. On the depleted

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. Ont

‘area the probable average yield is estimated at between 14 and 2
bushels per day of tonging. On the area of scattering growth on the
bed inside of High Shoal young growth is almost absent, giving the
bottom the appearance of having been planted. On the very scat-
tering area in the same bed the quantity of young is sufficient to
yield about 6 bushels per day per tonger.

On the dense and scattering areas of the other bed there is a dense
erowth of young oysters, sufficient to yield on the former about 18
bushels and on the latter about 13 bushels per day. On the depleted
bottom as a whole it would probably be impossible to take more
than 3 bushels of young per day, though there are spots where the
yield might be double that amount.

The following results were obtained from examinations:

Deraits oF EXAMINATION OF FisHING Pornt Rocks.

Oysters caught per Estimated quantity oys-

F é Mean square yard. ters per acre.
Station Date ofex- | depth | Character of growth SaaS Sea andes
nee amination. | of wa- | of market oysters. |—————__——_
ter. Spat. | Culls. |Counts.} Seed. | Market. | Total.
Feet. Bush. Bush. | Bush
466 | Sept. 3, 1909 G40) |) IMEC Gao sesoooeees 3.8 27.4 8.5 203 103 306
AW) Necooe lo e aeae SSO} eee Ce ab deaeaEats 1.2 24.7 11.2 168 135 303
62 | Aug. 138, 1909 14.0 | Scattering....-.... .0 68) 6.7 2 81 83
468 | Sept. 3, 1909 O50) No seec COPS Lane 6.2 39.7 6.1 298 74 372
469 |_.... OWscscacs yes ae GOR e nea 2.5 18.3 7.5 135 91 226
66 | Aug. 13, 1909 13.0 | Very scattering... 4.0 6.8 3.6 70 44 114
13 Nos ace loys oe 825) |) Depleted sass ee =e 2.6 6.9 2.0 62 24 86
Sas ees Gone: ONO} |eeaee OR eee alsin -0 3 all 8 8 16
99 | Aug. 14,1909 CEO ee ae ORES aati 583 Tos 2.4 49 29 78
1OOR aes dosent HO) Tone se Osea eee 58) -3 12 4 14 18

ROCKS BETWEEN FISHING POINT AND BALLARDS MARSH ROCKS.

In this region there are two small rocks for which no names were
obtained. One of these lies close to the Baylor line and is encroached
on by planted areas. It consists of a dense area inshore, the oysters
becoming very scattering farther out, surrounded by a fringe of de-
pleted bottom. The other bed is a small patch of very scattering
erowth about 400 yards farther out, in the direction of Dog Shoal
Rock.

The following table exhibits the extent and condition of these
beds:

OystTER GROWTH ON Rocks BETWEEN FisHIne Point AND BALLARDS MArsu Rocks.

Oysters per acre. | Rstimated
content
of market

Seed. Market. | oysters.

Character of growth of market oysters. Area.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

ED OTIS Cs aac ue a areaneeneta eg SUP See Sts ofl oe UIE LLL I RA Spel ielscRea AUS 5 183 268 1,340
VieriyeSGa Chenin ose reyes ysare eee ore car h ce rae LAAN Paint NEI Spee 8 1 31 248
IDYey a) Keitel a Ce al eee ate a ey Soa a Ca 18 0 0 0

\ ETN EA UBS =i pape xara NY en at rs a athe DIB AAS A D2 Si | AGN SAN Bee Ris MEP ICR 1,588

28 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

The dense area varies considerably in productiveness, one spot
near what appeared to be the center of the original bed producing
a quantity of oysters sufficient to yield 50 bushels per day to the
tonger, while in another place not more than 9 bushels coula be
taken.

On the very scattering area of the larger bed barely 3 bushels per
day could be taken, but on the small isolated spot the growth was
sufficient to yield about 4 bushels per day. The depleted area is
practically bare of oysters of all sizes, and the quantity of shells is
negligible. On the small strip in the dene bottom where the market
oysters were most abundant there is a very dense growth of young,
but the rest of the bed is deficient im this respect.

The following table gives the results of the several examinations of
the beds:

DETAILS oF EXAMINATION OF BEDS BETWEEN FISHING PoINT AND BALLARDS MarsH
Rocks.

Riper Oysters caueht per Estimated quantity oys-
; ‘ “t square yard. ters per acre.
Station Date of ex- | depth | Character of growth 2 uf P

her, | amination. | of wa- | of market oysters.

ter. Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total.

Feet. Bush. Bush. | Bush.
93 | Aug. 14, 1909 (em |) IDEMGE 5sssascccocce 0.0 0.0 7.0 0 85 |. 85
OA Nodooe dosha WD Nooo GO see ease Bes .0 56. 4 SRS 366 451 817
CO Sa lenis dons | 7.0] Very scattering. - 58 .0 3.1 2 37 39
464 | Sept. 3, 1909 ois) Hoooae CIOS SS ate ee, .0 .0 2.0 0 25 25
96 | Aug. 14, 1909 SxonlpDepletedteeese ses -0 -0 .0 0 0 0
Qiieeeer COsscdsss Se 5m ayes Cog eye re ae aa 0 -0 0 0 0 0

cS Dileoeso doses a5ee .0 .0 0 0

463 | Sept. 3, 1909

BALLARDS MARSH ROCK.

This is the bed called by Winslow ‘Bally Smash,” probably an un-
conscious attempt to render a provincial pronunciation phonetically-
It is the westernmost bed of Public Ground No. 6, Isle of Wight County.
It follows the line of a shoal which sets offshore from Ballards Marsh.

Its extent and condition are epitomized in the following table:

OysTER GROWTH ON BaLLARDS MarsH Rock.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated
content of
market

Character of growth of market oysters. Pa cate (oun tr me cea
| Seed. Market. oysters.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

SICEN Gish baVers hl Ce Be Me Auras HR ay Dy ee Mas ER LOL Eber A 4 152 31 124
WenyeSCaite rin onesie hic ae flame eRe U LUN EEE Nan ce ae a a Sea 33 191 24 792
ASP Te Ge ly ee a ayy aN oe AI Ue aa cI Sere ne Be 142 45 7 894

MNO fe) [A ee mt era |) Re are a NO AN oh UNTER od Sa LQ ialtosy arse estes] ateree sere oe 1, 810

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 29

_ The scattering area is a small spot near the inner end of the shoal,
where the quantity of market oysters is sufficient to yield to the
tonger between 7 and 8 bushels per day. The very scattering growth
is found on each side of this and beyond it for a distance of about
two-thirds the length of the shoal, bearing a growth yielding about
34 bushels of oysters per day’s work. On both sides of the very
scattering area and beyond it along the line of the shoal is a de-
pleted bottom on which, as a whole, less than 1 bushel of oysters
can be taken per day, the edges of the area being practically barren.
Along both sides of the shoal, even on the so-called depleted
bottom which surrounds it at its outer end, is a heavy growth of
young and many shells, which will yield on the average about 35
bushels of culls and spat per day. The market oysters on this bed
will average about 400 to the bushel and the culls or seed oysters
about 750.

Detaits or EXAMINATION OF BaLLARDS MarsH Rock.

ee Oysters GaUERt per Estimated quantity oys-
i uare yard. TS per acre.
Btstlon Date of ex- | depth | Character of growth Fain Pele per acre
ee ~ | amination. | of wa- | of market oysters.
Uae Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total.
Feet. Bush. Bush. | Bush.
86 | Aug. 14,1909 3.0 | Scattering ......... 13.7 9.7 2.6 152 31 183
SOM Pe dOnn ra aee 6.0 | Very scattering --..- a2 3.2 Pal 42 25 67
462 | Sept. 3,1909 SNOW shoe et sieenre yt 6.6 21.7 2.0 184 25 209
514 | Sept. 9,1909 ANOS esos see ac tes: 10.8 42.3 1.8 346 22 368
87 | Aug. 14,1909 GON Depleted essa 24 525" -3 2.3 1.4 17 17 34
SS legooe Goes aes Go) ee eoe Clogs Ma werseetae -0 0 .0 0 0 0
GM) Nodaon Goze eaeee OL obese Gorse tae sens ae 0 .0 od 0 21 21
COecace does hs GoW Neeode GONai sei Baal 0 -0 - .0 0 0 0
re A Free Gone ee ane WO locdve Goeth seo ee .0 ae 1.8 2 22 24
461 | Sept. 3,1909 Coe sues GORMAA SISSIES 4.7 27.7 1.3 211 16 227
504 | Sept. 9,1909 O30) Woeass GO er eee ae -0 0 -0 0 0
KO Noobs CO SaN Aeee BO seses GOR aaa sees ee 5.7 22.5 24 183 5 188
Ca aeige GOs ae el 7.4 21.0 At) 185 6 191
4.5 |..... Gostee seein 10.3 22.4 2 213 2 215
6.0 |..--- Oe apse tie m0) -0 2 0 2 2
ONOM eee Ow eet ee aes -0 -0 9 0 11 11
GO leosas Gone eee ears 0 0 otf 0 8 8
O30 oases Gorse oe ene: m0) oll) 2 0 2 2
WoO |ssees COS e esses Sook 0 0 365) 0 6 6
Well) Nlssigce GORE SUES -0 -3 1.4 2 17 19
G35) eee CORE EEE U Lah -0 0 -0 0 0 0
eo | ears Ose Ree tena ye ae -0 -0 -0 0 0 0

CREEK CHANNEL ROCK.

This is a small bed about 2 acres in extent, covering a shoal
marked by a buoy of the Light-House Establishment. It has the
indications of having been a dense bed, but at the present time it is
depleted, and a tonger could take on it an average of hardly a bushel
of oysters per day, and the young growth is still more sparse. It is
surrounded by private beds. It constitutes Public Ground No. 5,
Isle of Wight County.

30 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

The following observations were made on this bed:

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF CREEK CHANNEL SHOAL Rock.

roan Oysters caught per Estimated quantity oys-
; 1 d. ters F
Slation Date of ex- | depth | Character of growth Ss pinta
Tyee amination. | of wa- | of market oysters.
ter. Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total.
Feet. : Bushels.| Bushels. |Buskels.
383 | Aug. 26,1909 | 13.0 | Depleted.......... 0.0 0.0 1.4 0 19 19
384 |....- dozeas 4 0) looses (0 (oa eeim nS ake 0.0 ile il «2 7 3 10

AARON SHOAL ROCK.

This is the only bed in Public Ground No. 2, Isle of Wight County.
It is almost or quite surrounded by private beds, the boundary stakes
of which formed a forest which made it difficult to tell, without spend-
ing on the bed more time than its importance warranted, what was
planted ground and what was not.

The following statistics exhibit its present condition:

OysTER GROWTH ON AARON SHOAL Rock.

Oysters per acre. | Rstimated

a content of
Character of growth of market oysters. Area. Taeeet

Seed. Market. oysters.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
PC TAS CSG EGR A SIAL RAS SAMA CURE Dehn ect ehaelrcln rel sod ayuies ANE Shona NS UME 2?) 129 100 200

SCatterire ees Ceo Maa USACE SASSO Ay suka! RAL, oat Rae a 4 | 135 33 132
MOR ViSCALCCTIT oe ce ee ee seh orga Ca a NS ML esa Ea 3 | 0 23 69
VD ASy op ST FeNo Ie te Ne NN mS RRO crea Te Se ee Tal ec Oe a ane 24 | 112 5 120

ol Way its Meera eye ieee shed al Nt tee ler a Sah G ae Aa elem Stab ie BH Ee eles RH Re ah 521

The dense area forms a very narrow strip along the northern edge
close to and among the stakes. Its area could not be very definitely
determined without wasteful expenditure of time, but is probably
about 2 acres. About 10 bushels of oysters per day could be taken by
the tonger. .

On the scattering growth it is estimated that about 44 bushels, and
on the very scattering about 3 bushels, per day could be taken. The
depleted area is for the most part bare. There is a good growth of
young on the dense and scattered areas and at two spots on the de-
pleted bottom.

The following examinations were made.

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. . 31

Dertarts oF EXAMINATION OF AARON SHOAL RocK

NCAE Oysters caught per Estimated quantity Oys-
Btavion Date ofex- | depth | Character of growth Sana wane: Petap er acres
TSE amination. of wa- | of market oysters.
ter. Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total.

Feet. 5 Bush Bush. | Bush
392 | Aug. 26,1909 GS) IDG Becasausssec 0.0 6.0 9.7 39 134 173
BIOs eae Gljeesee te 5) |loaese Clipeceecemanese 5.7 28.0 4.7 219 65 284
St) |loaasc Gosesaeee 5.5 | Seattering.......-.- 1.6 19. 2 2.4 135 33 168
A000 aeeee dora) 6.0 | Very scattering... -0 .0 il 7 0 23 23
390) Sees Gosnesere 530) |) Depleted == 95. = -- 6.7 24. 2 1.3 201 18 219
Bull scese doers Sh Giicsoee COE eee eras 5.0 10.3 «3 | 90 4 94
BOA oo: Ale Gosesker. NSD A ers GOS SSS eaten -0 -0 -0 0 0
SY ssece doen Ghiibeese done ese ¢ 5.3 18.7 | -0 | 156 0 156

BROWNS SHOAL ROCKS.

Included under this name are a number of small rocks, separated
by depleted and barren bottom lying at the extreme lower end of
public ground No. 1, Warwick County, just above Newport News.
The productive portions lie on Browns Shoal and a number of other
shoal spots in the vicinity. The extent and present condition of the
rocks as a whole are shown in the following table:

OystER GROWTH ON Browns SHOAL ROCKS.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated
content of
market

Seed. Market. oysters.

Character of growth of market oysters. Area. |

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

I BYeSONS (ES = Bedi esee Secuencia oh cen para erage) (eee ae as Regret ey eC int 68 126 183 12, 444
SCAtberin ge seers suena eieln oe eee Seek cece L 44 142 54 2,376
Wenyescatterim caste ii iho Ra ae ety aes aes He 27 88 39 1,053 .
Dep lebe dee Hee ne ee elton le Meee ie th ety cise eu caplet an ews ae 226 5 4 904
PLING) ie ei i 2 EN a ce a el ge SOON Reena as eeaten seer 16,777

The dense area is found in seven patches, of which the largest,
covering about 25 acres, is on a shoal west of Browns Shoal sur-
rounding a watchhouse or covered pierhead. The areas as a whole
are quite productive of market oysters, and it is estimated that an
industrious tonger working nine hours per day could take between
10 and 40 bushels of oysters, the average at all places examined
being about 15 bushels.

The areas of scattering growth are three in number, lying on tne
ends of Browns Shoal proper and a small shoal west of it, inshore of
the watchhouse above alluded to. They carry a depth of between
about 4 or 5 and 12 feet at low water, and their productiveness is
such that a tonger could take an average of between 5 and 6 bushels
of market oysters per day.

The areas of very scattering growth are a number of small patches
nearly all lying between the more prolific areas and the edges of the
bed. They are nearly all covered by about 10 feet of water at low
tide, and bear oysters in sufficient quantity to yield to the tonger

between 3 and 4 bushels per day. ;
20201—10——_3

BZ . OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

The depleted bottom constitutes nearly two-thirds of the total
area of the beds as charted. At no place does it promise to yield
during the present season more than 24 bushels per day, and the
major part of it is practically barren.

The growth of young oysters is very good on Ae shallower parts
of the beds, especially on those portions yielding a scattering growth
of market stock, where a tonger could take an average of about 15
bushels per day. On the dense areas as a whole the young growth is
less abundant, the estimated average yield being about 11 bushels
per day, the heaviest growth being on two small shoals between the
inner end of Browns Shoal and the shipyard at Newport News.

On all of the productive areas there is an abundance of shells
suitable for catching a set of'spat, but the depleted areas are prac-
tically bare and give no promise of recuperation under any natural
conditions.

The following exhibits the results of examinations:

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF BROWNS SHOAL Rocks.

ean Oysters caught per Estimated quantity oys-
ard. y
elation Date of exami-| depth | Character of growth Deenereg ea
Rent nation. of of market oysters.
water: Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total.
Feet. Bush. | Bush. | Bush.
112: aus 16, 1909 9.5) Dense Hee eahen ris 4.7 31.9 12.0 238 165 403
1 boc kaso ekbae OH llecake One seeesaee 0 24.6 7.9 160 109 269
1B} lscses donsess! Eb G lesese GOs Rae ae tees 1.3 21.6 9.6 149 133 282
WAS) osese CMscoseus GO |escac Golan eae ne .0 10.7 7.3 70 101 171
139 eae 17, 1909 oe Bact ge RS Oe eo 1.6 6.4 32.0 52 443 495
DANS ered ON eae ate IB lescso Of Le eee 2.0 11.2 9.6 86 133 219
14 oF ase Gor eeey GBS escco Gov ssaete ees 7.2 15.6 12.8 148 177 325
144 }..... Cl cddeus AO) oseec Gorstey seen ane 11,5} 18.0 10.5 127 145°) =) 272
Ey esean dose ase IPA & locas GO esse yea ase 1.5 11.0 14.5 81 200 281
1463) ase doseeeeee 113} 5) lo ocoe dOnt ae Sue: -0 9.2 24,4 60 337 397
450 seb 1, 1909 1O,0) occoe Conta tEe eee 5.2 37.8 4.4 280 61 341
SOE is a ode st) a) BS) HB) ha
See oma oases eG Owe aie hem eters : : :
524 Sept. 10, 1909 1b 5 owen GOR apne -0 4.0 9.0 26 124 150
115 | ues 16, 1909 9.0 Beattering Lcheiuaca a8) 28.7 6.3 188 87 275
IG} isasee OE Ss SOR ebad Oa e eee see 6 21.2 4.0 141 55 196
IMG) esese Gowssaiee @0 Isscoc Goes ee 9 12.8 2.3 89 32 121
120) desc COs cdccce @@ |lbosco CORA Enea Hea 4.5). 11.8 2.5 100 34 134
136 | Aug. Be 1909 LOOM) Bees Cote eae 3.6 25. 6 4.4 190 61 2
1S Neasedd@Oscccaes 9.O esses OUR eee 2.0 31.0 4.0 214 55 69
143) Saeee a Si ME 1) No scoe dope ssa 50) 2.8 6.4 18 Seeets::) 106
451 Bel: | 1,1909 WoO eased de aa carte ae 12°3 34.0 3.0 301 an oe
AG 2) |r Ose THO focose Onsen eee 7.3 20.4 5.8 180 0 60
453) |e aeae doreesnet 10. |oces- dor eee eee 2.9 12.1 4.6 98 64 162
117 | Aug. 16,1909 5.0 Nees scattering 2) 12.9 2.2 85 2 aD 115
WAS Nosceia TON Eee 10,@-\e2205 On eee ae) 3.7 3.3 26 45 71
135 | Aug. ae 1909 INO Wecase de eee das Sees Ma 2.0 6.0 3.2 52 44 ae
1407): Zekdons ewe. IL @ esse Ose ce aaa aee 0 8.8 2.8 57 39 6
457 Seplia na) 1909 WO |ocose ao Deeb ince! Se 26. 2 2.5 223 2 ae
4580: Soko. gga IQ). 5 eocee ORE tem has 9 9.6 3.8 81 5:
523 | Sept. Xo, 1909 10), Oigaeee dokee) Lh eee 2.0 12.5 2.0 94 28 122
113 | Aug. 16, 1909 12.6 | Depleted.......-.- -0 5.7 2.0 37 23 65
1A ee COggoasee 10), 8 oases dona ee -0 -0 | 0 0 0 0
MG Nosece GORE Rene i, Ouleeeae Osa ie aes -0 3 -0 2 0 2
24>) Pee doeeeeeee 12.0: esoae On He eA .0 0 -0 0 0 0
137 | Aug. 17,1909 WO esas GOs ee Beer wae .0 -0 -0 0 0 0
449 | Sept. 1,1909 Ie Olesscc dos: 222 caseee .0 0 .0 0 0 0
454 |..... dope se5as SAO | Bene ClO)Samesee neem -0 2.3 1.4 15 19 34
455) |e oe don saa 10, Flees co COS RENAE 0 -0 -0 0 0 0
AG) Poon oe Gos aes IHL ® |eceos dole ye -0 -0 0 0 2710) 0
522 | Sept. 10,1909 EEO edane (G0 FEN ease -0 -0 -0 0 0 0
567 | Sept. 14,1909 2085) eee CON esaeereceae -0 0} -0 0 0 0

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 30
GUN ROCK.

This is a small bed lying on a shoal spot west of the preceding.
Its extent and estimated density of growth and contents are as
follows:

OysTER GROWTH ON GuN Rock.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated
content of
market

Seed. Market. | oysters.

Character of growth of market oysters. Area.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
6 198 Mt 2a 912

DD CTISC Pe ee Sey itera ciaislerc an scehele isin Male eae ea ce MENS eR esi
NUT GTC NH eH TU 2 ys I Satay Nn a SR Te a a ey ar 16 62 30 480
DYES OLEH EG LSS en Le ea Ue US Op an ag a al eed PS a eee 4 0 0 0

ee OLA oe Sie a Says a ee aM oak Bret sales we Nae eiara Ua sya ars 26 | Be SHOSE OSE EROS oteS 1,392

The dense area forms a narrow tongue running along the inner or

shoreward end of the ridge or backbone of the shoal, and it produces
market oysters in sufficient quantity to yield the tonger about 9
bushels per day. There is no scattering growth, but the outer half
of the length of the bed as far as the Baylor line produces a very
scattering growth sufficient to yield about 3 bushels per day.
_ Along the higher parts of the ridge, on both the dense and very
scattering bottoms, there is a prolific growth of young oysters, suffi-
cient to furnish the tonger from 12 to 14 bushels per day. The edges
of the very scattering area produce but few young oysters, and the
depleted bottom is practically bare of both oysters and clean shells,
its position being indicated solely by the presence of shells more or
less deeply buried in the mud.

The following observations were made:

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF GUN Rock.

Moan Oysters caught per Estimated quantity oys-
i d. ters per acre.
gieuon Date of ex- | depth | Character of growth eaten te Sorgen
ber amination. | of wa- | of market oysters.
ter. Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total.
Feet. Bush. | Bush. | Bush.
134 | Aug. 17,190 16.0 | Dense............- 2.0 28.5 11.0 198 152 350
Ie yea eee douse: 6.5 | Very scattering... .. -8 17.4 1.8 118 25 143
1497 se do.. IPB \ceso GOS ORs -0 1.0 2.5 6 34 40
148 |..... do.... 12, ouieDepletedeeesteene 0 -0 0 0 0 0

KETTLE HOLE ROCK.

I am not certain of the name of this bed, as in the field some confu-
sion arose as to whether this or the next was Thomas Point Rock.
In designating it as above I have been guided by Winslow’s nomen-
clature. This bed is the largest and most important in this part of

34 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

the river. It lies on the north side of a shallow ridge, extending
thence shoreward toward Watts Creek as far as the Baylor line.
Its extent and present general condition are as follows:

OysTER GROWTH ON KetTrLE HoLe Rock.

Oysters per acre. | Rstimated
content of

market
Seed. | Market. | oysters.

Character of growth of market oysters. Area.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
258 317 105

SIGE. 9 5 popadsosbonwesdascoseaccs Ssausnconsosacesescosecaes 66 207 82 5,412
Wainy SORE MSS SABSS. 55 obo SebsGcoccasbeasocdeossasscosdaossoss 111 180 42 4, 662
1D Ye) EO ee SAU RRBs SueSheanoso ose Roebo ahs asobesopasduoadados 11 0 0 0

Total (jars eine eee PCR e eee eee eer eeeer AAG: B22 cS ecel eee 37,164

The principal area of dense growth starts from the ridge and ex-
tends as a broad belt as far as the Baylor line inshore. The public
ground includes but a portion of the shoal, possibly because the
southern part was taken up as private ground prior to the Baylor
survey. The productive bottom probably extends across the ridge,
but as it is not included in the public grounds and is staked as a pri-
vate holding it was not examined. The growth of market oysters on
the public ground is rather uniform and is sufficient to provide the
tonger with from 8 to 13 bushels per day, the average being about
9or10. Near the middle of the inner part of the dense area is a small
spot where market oysters are deficient in quantity, but the growth
of young is so prolific that it has not been thought advisable to differ-
entiate it on the chart. There is also a small area of dense growth on
a shallow spot east of the main area.

The scattering growth on Kettle Hole Rock forms a fringe along the
western border of the dense area, with a broad tongue thrust into the
latter near its middle. The growth of market oysters is sufficient to
yield to the tonger an average of about 6 bushels per day.

The areas of very scattering growth form a border on the eastern
and inshore edges of the dense growth, and it is estimated that about
3 or 34 bushels of oysters could be tonged per day on the areas taken
in their entirety.

The depleted bottom is insignificant and bare of eames except
a few buried shells.

There is a heavy growth of young oysters over practically the entire -
extent of this bed. On the dense areas they are estimated to be pres-
ent in sufficient quantities to yield to the tonger about 28 bushels per
day as an average at the beginning of the season, while on the scatter-
ing and very scattering areas the yield would probably average about
16 or 17 bushels. Undoubtedly the entire bed can be regarded as

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 85

presently and prospectively productive. The following data were
obtained from the examinations made:

Deraits of EXAMINATION OF KETTLE HoLe Rock.

Oysters caught per Estimated quantity oys-

: Mean “square yard. rs per acre.
Station} pate ofex- | depth | Character of growth 2 ee topper act
ee amination. | of wa- | of market oysters. SEES
ter. Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total.
Feet. Bush. Bush. | Bush.
133 | Aug. 17,1909 LOSOs eDensekeseeeeee eee 8.5 47.5 10.0 364 138 502
IS |eosas dOPsewas- 1B} i) |e GOhs see 5.0 62.0 7.9 436 104 540
1.5 29.9 7.8 204 108 312
.0 32.0 8.0 208 111 319
.0 44.6 oil 290 10 300
5.0 27.5 Ee 211 161 372
roll 18.5 7.6 134 105 239
8.1 54.6 9.6 408 133 541
6.5 47.2 6.1 349 84 433
7.6 46.7 7.9 353 109 462
te) ‘ 9.6 72.4 6.5 533 90 623
158 | Aug. 17,1909 1235s | PSCatvering ssn. 5-en- 5.0 34.6 {505 257 76 333
163 | Aug. 18, 1909 WW WGecae Chi sseecee leas Sif 50.0 6.9 334 95 429
359 | Aug. 26, 1909 On| ees Oe Se! 9 3.8 5.4 31 75 106
151 | Aug. 17,1909 11.0 | Very scattering. ... .0 16.0 4.0 104 55 159
TGP ie Ree onsets TE} O) ease domes. AAS Uae 4 43.3 Pr, Al 284 29 313
16S) eeese Gkoe Saeeee IOS) Noseac GOs eee isa! 13.3 3.0 95 41 136
154 | Resa doreenee INES llassos GO eee eee a2, 24.0 obo 169 46 215
369 | Aug. 26,1909 Ube lessee Goa eeeetes Aes 7.9 30.0 2.9 246 40 286
164 |} Aug. 18,1909 14°0)|' Depleted’. --------- ald) .0 .0 0 Boon (8) 0
16D} Secis Goss GEO) asoce OE BeE e oue sere .0 .0 -0 0 0 0
|

THOMAS POINT ROCK.

As explained in the discussion of the preceding bed, there may be
some question as to the name of this one, which lies between what
has been called Kettle Hole Rock and Blunt Point Rock. It is
entirely separated from the former by a swash channel carrying
from 12 to 21 feet of water, but is connected with Blunt Point Rock
by a narrow ridge of depleted bottom. The bed hes on and about
two shoals which extend from the edge of the channel lying north —
of White Shoal Light. Its extent and condition are as follows:

OysTER GROWTH ON THOMAS Point Rock.

Oysters per acre. |Estimated
content of
market

Seed. Market. | oysters.

Character of growth of market oysters. Area.

e
Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels.| Bushels.

1D CYC Br RISER ite a ikaneae die emeyseein SA a Se a al ae pee 76 168 115 8,745
SGatberin Ski see cet epee ees BE PA ee eS 118 170 71 8,378
NVQ PISTON) gale eet el ake teers cicd eee ret bye eC att tees anes Cee 100 103 51 5, 100
ID eye) KOO eS Seine Se eee ee eres 3 omits tes teen Ee anette mae 127 80 21 2, 667

ADO) 2) UO ea ae eo age Sm en aot ecg en ele APA pan conse bocosaseae 24, 890

The dense growth of market oysters is in three patches, all lying on
or close to the shoaler parts of the bed in water ranging from 5 to 8
feet at low tide. The growth is sufficiently prolific to yield to the
tonger about 10 bushels of marketable oysters per day.

36 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

The area covered by scattering marketable oysters stretches from
the western side of the longer shoal across some intervening deeper
water to two small shoals to the westward. Over the whole area the
density of growth is such that about 6 bushels of oysters may be
taken per day.

The very scattered growth is in three areas fringing the denser
parts of the bed. Its productiveness varies between areas which
will yield 24 and those which will yield 44 bushels per day, the gen-
eral average at all places examined being about 34 bushels.

The best of the depleted bottom, which is in the areas lying on the
edge of the deep-water channel, will yield about 24 bushels per day,
while the inshore area and that lying in the midst of the scattering
growth will not yield an average of over 1 bushel.

The young growth is in good quantity, though not so abundant as
on Kettle Hole Rock. On the dense and scattering areas it is suffi-
cient to yield an average of about 15 bushels per day. On the very
scattering area near the inshore end of the eastern edge of the rock it
is in about the same abundance, but elsewhere it will yield not more
than 44 bushels per day’s tonging. On the best of the depleted bot-
tom, along the edge of the deep-water channel, it is estimated that
about 10 or 11 bushels per day could be taken by the tonger, but on
other parts of the depleted area young oysters are practically absent.

The oysters on this bed, as on all others on this shore of the river,
are of fair size, the marketable stock averaging about 350 per bushel
and the young approximately 750.

The following observations were made:

DETAILS OF ‘EXAMINATION OF THOMAS Point Rock.

ee Oysters eaugit per Estimated quantity oys-
F square yard. :
Station | “Date ofex- | depth | Character of growth Hee fers penaae
acre amination. | of wa- | of market oysters.

ter. Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total
Feet. Bush Bush. | Bush.

127 | Aug. 17,1909 IPRG Pbk ooseesodoood 0.8 2.1 il 1 154 173

BY) |lesage GO. so4dec WPS Ilsscue Closaesuomboous 9.6 33.0 8.9 2717 123 400

366 | Aug. re 1909 SES esac dod. Ghee seas 3.9 33.1 10.3 241 142 383

By! |lsases Saul ere CONSE erences 13.4 13.8 5.8 177 80 257

yh Weogos UO [esos GOES aaa 5.8 13.6 5.5 126 76 202

128 | Aug. 7, 1909 14.5 Scalers TN eee 2.0 212 6.0 151 83 234

128) sooo do. ON bi ewe Ouest ene 2.5 24.0 4.5 172 62 234

TBO) |isaoon do... 1B esos s ac Bainemewemeniee i555 9.5 5.5 71 76 147

US looses do. Le ee Olena eeagouneas 525 24.0 5.5 192 76 268

160 | Aug. 3s, 1909 1). Cn ears GOs eSeianeee: 3.0 Slee 50 221 79 300

GT aeeee DRO) ae dostienetenses 2.9 PA Sil 199 70 269

368 | Aug. %, 1909 toh ate aa Otte coceeae 10.0 28.6 1.8 * 251 25 276

7: : do 2.3 13.2 Wail 101 98 199

5% 13.5 2.4 97 33 130

2 45.9 5.5 316 76 392

-0 4.5 8b} 29 46 75

.0 6.8 3.6 44 50 94

-0 4.5 3.8 29 52 81

il} 18.5 1.8 129 25 154

2.7 24.6 2.0 177 37 214

JOU ae clea erento Sle ehte 20

50) 1.0 ofl 8 10 18

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 37

BLUNT POINT ROCK.

This is the uppermost bed in that part of Public Ground No. 1, War-
wick County, in which the cull law is enforced. All beds above this,
excepting the small one in Warwick River, are within the area which
is set apart for seed production. This rock is rather attenuated in
most of its parts, being in the shape of an irregular ring surrounding
a deeper barren area, with a long tail running along the Baylor line
in the direction of Deep Creek. The highly productive area is very
limited and the very scattering growth constitutes more than half
of the total area. The extent and general condition of the bed at the
time of the survey are shown in the following table:

OystER GROWTH ON BiuNT Pornt Rock.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated
content of
market

Seed. Market. | oysters.

Character of growth of market oysters. Area.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
16 |. 171 161 76

IDYIOSKE BE os outa See> Bo ca CH See eee ao bakemee SE OH eS en oH TBR a Seecees 2,57
SCOUTS She cea ee beste oo ASH ous Bie SEO BERGE E Be serae ser 69 193 60 4,140
Mer yasCaii Genin oye Suse none 7 un Se Sas ae nk Serica ee See eA 225 105 45 10, 125
Depleted east ame a Ee BA aS ee OE Cacae Tent aes ER Te 3a 118 42 14 1, 652
Potala meteor amet ae ues ewe SN aes aS Tee ee ee ASM Rae ee Se A yee hse 18, 493

The bottom covered with a dense growth occurs on two small
patches on small shoals, on which about 15 bushels of market oysters
could be taken in a day.

There are three areas of scattering growth, of about equal produc-
tiveness so far as market oysters are concerned. One of these is at
the extreme end of the rock off Deep Creek, which is in close proximity
to planted beds and bears some indications of being itself planted
ground. These areas as a whole will yield, it is estimated, an average
of about 6 bushels per day.

The very scattering growth consists of a narrow zone almost en-
circling the included barren area above alluded to and a prolonga-
tion northward toward Deep Creek. The examinations made on
it indicate a probable yield of about 34 bushels per day of continuous
tonging.

The depleted area skirts the preceding for a good part of its length,
and in addition forms a projection on the western part of the bed and
a small isolated patch on a shoal just beyond it. Its content of
oysters is such that it could furnish the tonger with hardly more than
a bushel per day.

The young growth is in good quantity on the dense and scattering
areas of oysters, excepting that nearest Deep Creek, where it is prac-
tically absent. With the exception noted, the tonger should be able
to gather about 15 bushels per day. On the narrow annular part of

38

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

the beds the production of young oysters is good on the very scatter-
ing and depleted areas, which in their other parts are deficient in
immature growth.

The following data furnish the basis for the foregoing:

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF BLUNT Point Rock.

Station
num-
ber.

Date of ex-
amination.

Aug. 21,1909
do

Aug. OL, 1909
Aug. 18,1909

Aug. 19, 1909
Aug. 21,1909
Aug. 26, 1909

Mean

depth

of wa-
ter.

Oysters caught per
square yard.

Character of growth
of market oysters.

Estimated quantity oys-

ters per acre.

Spat. | Culls. |\Counts:| Seed. | Market. | Total.

Bush. Bush. | Bush.

Dense vac -eeccesse 7.9 17.5 7.5 165 103 268
Bese oe eee eee 3.1 24.5 15.9 178 219 397
Scattering. --.-- ee 1.5 33.9 5.3 230 73 303
Sapee Gone ect mgeccae -0 .8 3.5 5 48 53
Lee Gosek Sa .3 22.9 4.2 151 58 209
Very scattering 9 5.0 4.6 38 63 101
Loaer dose Aaccrssae 2.6 42.3 3.5 292 48 340
Snaen GOW 2a 38 sarees 1.3 27.1 2.9 184 40 224
ee Chee sesaucesnue 2.0 Tall Sh) 59 51 110
SSEeR GO aera sae .0 4.0 2.0 26 28 54
Eo xe (6 Kc)ea GO os Heats 1.0 3.1 4.1 27 57 84
eee ClO mes ae Fee 5a) 16.0 2m 106 29 135
Depleted.......-.. 1.9 35. 2 2.6 241 36 277
Bee Oho aa ee ede -0 .0 .0 0 0 0
CSeee Glee Beseoseasas .0 3.6 9 23 a 30
aes CIR USE eee, .0 .0 .0 0 0 “0
ees Olnse teste suse 1,8 12.1 1.3 87 18 105
Beas Osea esenene sae .0 .0 1.3 0 18 18
Peees Gees sedeasaee .8 2.9 1.3 24 18 42
dees GU) Fah Ee ee Bo .0 .0 1.8 0 25 25
eee DOssuosesesse = .0 .0 .0 0 0 (0)

WHITE SHOAL ROCKS.

These are two rocks in very shallow water, with slightly greater
depths between and deep channels aummotend ine. The westernmost
lies about a bare shell bank and the easternmost is nearly awash at
low water.

The following exhibits their extent and condition at the beginning
of the oyster season of 1909-10.

OYSTER GROWTH ON WHITE SHOAL ROCKS.

Character of growth of market oysters.

Very scattering
Depleted

Oysters per acre. | Estimated

content of
Area. market
Seed Market. oysters.
Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

44 31 127 5, 588

10 108 36 360

52 53 12 624

106,222 Seebee 4 [See eee 6,572

The dense areas produce a good quantity of marketable oysters
and at the beginning of the present season should be capable of yield-
ing about 12 bushels of oysters per full day of tonging. There are
no areas of scattered growth within the definition of this report, but at

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 39

each end of the western rock there is a small patch of very scattering
growth capable of yielding an average of 34 bushels of marketable
oysters per day. |

The area charted as depleted bears very few marketable oysters.

The young growth on the dense areas is very prolific, being in
sufficient quantity to afford a daily return to the tonger of about 35
bushels. On the scattering bottom about 10 bushels per day could
_ be taken, while on the depleted bottom as a whole the average would
hardly exceed 4 bushels, although two or three times that many
could be taken in places.

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF WHITE SHOAL ROCKS.

Mees Oysters caught per Estimated quantity oys-
i square yard. ters per acre.
Station Date of ex- | depth | Character of growth x of tea

nee amination. | of wa- | of market oysters.

ter. Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Seed. | Market. | Total.

Feet. Bush. Bush. | Bush.

169 | Aug. 18,1909 bya Densemeaace sae cic Weu 92.3 6.5 650 90 740

OM ee dose see Eh becca Cla anaeasaaas 3.8 10. 4 9.2 92 127 219

443 | Sept. 1,1909 10/0) |2 2-22 ORE eS 11.7 63. 3 Wall 487 98 585

444 |__... doe sss HOO | o5556 Gone eyes ilils 7 29.6 17.9 268 247 515

HS \eeooe dope: 1350) Besar GOs seg eee a. 15. 2 26.9 8.3 274 115 389

Aaa Eee GOs Saodes Oh locese On eee es 10.0 28. 4 7.1 250 98 348

556 | Sept. 14, 1909 Ob55 sesec donee hoes 6.1 26. 2 11.6 210 160 370

BN eeeoe Goes oi AO} ees GO2 eee 11.5 29.3 5.7 265 79 344

its} leno 5c doz saaee 7.5 | Very scattering. ... 2.0 8.7 3.0 70 41 111

FP | oosac dose 10) 3 Sogec Coke ees 2.6 19.7 2.3 145 32 177

Sogn perme doses 9.0 | Depleted ..----.:-.-- aa 1.3 583 10 4 14

558} lense do. Sess G6) leacoe dO asa = os aise 1.0 6.3 1.0 47 14 61

504 |. 22. COssgsace GND) laeeee DOs scesekises eae 3 .0 0 2 0 2

Gs) |ooooe dose WAS oo cec Cowes aes 1.9 11.0 1.9 84 26 110

A) eese GOeeasce 103} okicce GOs eons 4.6 21.0 1.8 166 25 191

561 |.---- Ose seeas 1S Bs Sege5 GOR rec eaosse 08) 3 58) 4 8

SEED OYSTER AREA.

JAIL ISLAND ROCK.

For this and all of the following rocks the standard of density of
erowth is different from that adopted in the preceding descriptions.
The cull law, so far as it relates to the size of oysters, does not apply,
and oysters of whatever size may be taken. The entire content of
the bed, both young and old, is therefore taken into consideration,
and as the average price of seed oysters is about two-thirds of that
of the market oysters from the James River, a larger quantity has
to be taken to furnish a living wage. In all of the following descrip-
tions a bed is regarded as dense when 12 or more bushels may be
taken by a tonger in a day’s work, as scattering when it will yield
between 8 and 12 bushels, very scattering when it yields between 4
and 8, and depleted if less than 4 bushels can be tonged per day.
As the market oysters sell for 45 cents and the seed oysters for but
30 cents per bushel, the financial return is essentially equal.

Jail Island Rock, which extends alongshore west of the mouth of
Warwick River, is continuous at its offshore edge with Wreck Shoal

40 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

Rock, the boundary between them as adopted in this report being
purely arbitrary.

The extent and general condition of the bed at the time of the
survey was as follows:

OYSTER GROWTH ON JAIL ISLAND Rock.

Estimated
Character of growth. Area. Oysters content
: 2 * | of oysters.
Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels.
WDWONSOs es s2cea ose is SA ee ease Nee Se tena See nee Se ee eee 227 143 32, 461
Seattering= Fe 22 Sos emcee a eae eee OE eS iSIee each ater ee 198 109 21, 582
Very scattering. <2. 3h ose: Ma aaeee es See eeioee co tates meee cee a tneer 14 28 392
Depleted.....------.-------- +--+ 2-2-2222 eee epee eee 508 8 4,064
ANC} Hl ern en eee sar ea Oncin emer te AAAs aed oaiaaoeetoanaEced O47u| oe seo 58, 499

The principal area of dense growth runs from the inner edge of
Wreck Shoal Rock in a gradually narrowing belt to a tongue extend-
ing to within 200 or 300 yards of shore between Jail Island and the
mouth of Warwick River. The depth of water gradually decreases |
from about 9 feet to 2 or 3 feet at low water, near Jail Island. There
is also a small area of dense growth lying on an isolated patch in
‘about 10 or 11 feet of water off the mouth of Warwick River, which,
being just on the cull line, is arbitrarily included in the Jail Island
bed for the purposes of this report. The dense bottom as a whole
will afford the tonger an average catch per day of about 17 bushels
of oysters of all sizes.

The area of scattering growth lies in a single body north and west
of the preceding in from 6 to 11 feet of water. The growth on the
whole is rather heavier in the deeper water, and as an average should
yield approximately 9 bushels per day.

The very scattering growth is in a small patch immediately east
of Jail Island, where the yield to the tonger should be about 5 bushels
per day.

The depleted bottom forms a broad zone on the inshore side and
a narrow strip on the eastern edge of the bed. There is also a de-
pleted area adjoining the small, isolated, dense patch before described,
and a small patch lying between that and the main bed. In most
places the so-called ‘depleted bottom” is practically bare. There is
but a moderate supply of shells on the dense area and on the scatter-
ing area close to it, but elsewhere the bed is deficient in this respect. ©

It is stated that the inshore portions of the bed, on the depleted
bottom along the Baylor line, produce fine single oysters, which in
calm weather are picked up one by one and bring a high price in the
markets. The survey did not disclose any quantity of such oysters.

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 41

DetTaIts oF EXAMINATION oF JAIL ISLAND Rock.

Oysters caught per A
Station D Ss aoe square yard. Estimated
num- ES OES poe Character of growth. SREB IY
ae. amination. a wa- oysters per
oe Spat. | Culls. |Counts.) 2C%°:
Feet. Bushels.
184 | Aug. 18,1909 MIAOU DENSE Fee aw sc cscs saan noe ceass 1.3 49.0 4.6 306
198 | Aug. 19,1909 UG sgeac CLO Sere raga eee acyse see US 12.1 2.5 97
18) ese ce dousea-e- G30) |2aeee COnAGh seseonaen coseae Beare eeee -0 8.5 6.9 138
2001 | Saeee Ong as2 AN On| eases GOR Ae een ee 1.5 8.8 4.2 110
404 | Aug. 27,1909 gO esene GOS es ee ene ee eee 1.3 3.3 2.8 62
207 | Aug. 19,1909 10) ©) SIGN oo ecconesbesccacouces 4.6 8.2 21 88
ZAIO) lessee Once a2 ils Blissese (6 (0) ice UE eae ae ee aoe 5.4 16.7 2.5 140
2015 | ee Goss: Chi) leaeee C6 (0 eaves ates a a Se a a .0 20 6.2 99
402 | Aug. 27,1909 ATO VeryES CALLETIN Sameer ee =e 11 1.9 -9 28
183 | Aug. 18,1909 Idi Ou Depleted: set cepmeese ces eteenece de .0 .0 -0 0
TES |e bese Gos oe PLN ON Ease (lo ae Se eee CAS eae eeeeretey 4 ies 13 32
192 | Aug. 19,1909 ®.0 22 LO ge a ee Rn 0 .0 7 8
208i eee doe [De Beaee d On aera etr ase ee one maemehte .0 0 -0 0
7A) Negerac Ose: Oe lheasac GO RC Season see aie sees -0 a8) “3 6
401 | Aug. 27,1909 RU oc Sul Ose eee esos ease t ane oi stl 0 7
A03n eee Ofenenae AN On| Rees Oo a Bart ee .0 .0 0 0

WRECK SHOAL ROCK.

This is a large, important, and productive bed extending from the
preceding to the edge of deep water. For the purposes of this report,
it is regarded as including the oyster growth on and about Wreck
Shoal proper and the small shoal to the westward of its outer end.
Excepting where it adjoins Jail Island bed, its boundaries are rather
sharply defined by a sudden shoaling of the water. This is especially
pronounced at the southern edge of the bed, where the bottom very
abruptly rises from about 150 feet to within 6 feet of the surface.
North of the smaller shoal the bed is prolonged into a narrow belt
occupying a slightly shoaling ridge connected with a corner of Mul-
berry Swash Rock. The depth at low water varies from less than 5
feet on the shoals to 12 or 15 feet at the edges. On one small area
projecting as a tongue from the southeast side the water reaches a
maximum depth of 30 feet.

Wreck Shoal Rock is practically everywhere highly productive
and no part of it falls below the standard here regarded as consti-
tuting denseness of growth. Accepting the arbitrary inner boundary
here adopted, it has an area of about 506 acres. The oyster growth
at the places examined ranges from 178 to 497 bushels per acre, the
average being about 316. The heaviest growth is as a rule found on
the shoaler places, which facilitates the removal of the product.
This materially raises the average daily yield to the tonger, which
ranges in different places from 12 bushels to 51 bushels, with a gen-
eral average for the entire bed of over 29 bushels.

The bottom is well covered with clean shells and the bed can be
regarded as being in a healthy and promising condition. In a few
places there is a fair growth of large oysters and on the bed as a

42 _ OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

whole the young growth over 1 inch in length is numerically more
than double that under 1 inch.

The following table exhibits the data obtained from the several
examinations made:

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF WRECK SHOAL ROcK.

Oysters caught per
Station Mean square yard. Estimated
num- | Date ofex- | depth Character of growth quan
ber amination. | of wa- ; 8g : oysters per
Sie Spat. | Culls. |Counts. nore
Feet. Bushels.

1 Aug. 19,1909 1:270)|: Dense reat sajae 5a sua -eeeanee see 0.0 16.7 10.3 195

Labs % dolensse= QUO) ees O ween ange ote eae oil 30.3 -0 191
a ile doze Gh) leseec GOS eo atone 2.5 24.6 3.8 178
1GYS) oes e dosaaaaae SHOR |Loss LO i ee oa ae oe 23.7 34.6 4 301
UO Ns ose dow sees Os) esos OSE Ea pee ee pote eee 17.9 69. 2 5.0 497_
AV 25s COs sossss 12M OR eee Osa ae is See anes 18.3 28. 6 1.4 254
2027 eee 6Wscssc6- LOR See Oe ets see ue oe Soe eee 21.8 44.6 3.6 379
W083 ||osse6 dose ee 1 Oye eos CON ols ee pe ee ae ee 9.5 MoiTf .0 343,
2049 eee donate 10. @ peee= CLO ea eerste ee ae ey eee es 26.7 46.9 -3 379
205m eee Conta OM eens LOA ER ene 9 Se er A eta a 43.0 45.0 4 456
WV es-ke GO-ss5ece INH Nseeec GOS SES RES Fares RC ee 15. 8 18.9 4,2 222
PS) ones Goes 14, oe eee (6 oe eee aie Se ote WE 7 31.8 233 252
428 | Aug. 31,1909 15,0 escss Glo)s Seven ee eae ia Rae 3.6 30.0 Dail 200
VAST ae es dos === OH ee ea5 (OKO tee ec eee eS oe 38. 1 41.2 8 413
430 |....-. dome an SS OMmEe es CLO BAER ESI, Wn Sipe eeerereuh marcos le 60.0 ee 460
AS Ts aes dow ae- 2 UG) le soue LO ye elias See ea 9.5 30.9 4) 210

DRY SHOALS ROCKS.

These are 5 small rocks lying west of the preceding on and about
shoals which ebb nearly or quite bare. They are in general isolated
and surrounded by deep water, though two of them are connected by
narrow ridges of depleted bottom with Swash Rock and Mulberry
Swash honk respectively.

Their present condition and extent are shown in the followeae
table:

Oyster. GRowTH on Dry SHoats Rocks.

Estimated

Oysters | total con-
per acre. tent of
oysters.

Character of growth. Area.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels.

Dense ey Sea Faia Ms Lay a es Sy ee URN apa eh a ene een Bed GO 126 244 30, 766
SCAbCberit Oe. 2e 9: aa eee Ag pa aN eek soe eS pe Se 18 124 2,232
Very scattering 9 85 765
DG plete aise 55 ere ene oe eee are See le ge aaa 21 20 420

Total ie bce sete Sos eae eye Garten ce Se eee ie ae yas ene a ae WE eens 34,183

Four of these rocks are composed wholly or in major part of bot-
tom bearing a dense growth of oysters, while the fifth, the smallest,
bears a scattering growth exclusively. The dense growth in its daily
yield to the tonger varies, with the locality, between 13 and 59 bushels,
the average density over the entire area being sufficient to permit a

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 43

daily catch of about 30 bushels per man. The average depth of
water is about 5 to 7 feet at low tide.

The scattering growth is found in two places, one an isolated rock
of small size and the other at the extremity of a larger bed where
the productive bottom runs off to deeper water. There is not much
difference in the density of the growth on the two places, and it is
estimated that on the two a tonger could take an average of about
10 bushels of oysters per day.

The very scattering bottom lies in two small patches at opposite ends
of the longest bed of the group, and the growth is so sparse as barely
to remove the areas from the category of depleted bottom. The
depleted areas are three in number, one in the deeper water at the
tip of a rock and the others on the two connecting ridges mentioned
earlier in this description. About the same numerical proportion
exists between the culls and spat as on the preceding bed, and at
one place on the dense area there is a good growth of marketable
oysters averaging between 400 and 450 per bushel. There is a fair
or good deposit of shells throughout the dense and scattering areas
and on the apical area of very scattering growth, but elsewhere the
rocks are deficient in this respect.

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF Dry SHOALS Rocks.

Oysters caught per s
Station Date of ex: depth squate yard: eanneee
en amination. | of wa- CRESEOEOS OH GROWN oysters per
ter. Spat. | Culls. |Counts. Bete:
Bushels.
340 | Aug. 25,1909 16. 4 26.4 0.0 218
341 |... doses 17 30.0 4.2 258
342 |... . Go esas Ns 21.9 38.5 2.3 343
Sab oss doz hs2aus 5.1 20.9 2.0 154
348 |..--- dost: 10.6 36. 6 6 247
349 |...-- doteeeres 20.3 YEU 0 398
Sole ee GOA. 13.3 14.0 1.3 153
302) | ce -5 dosteees: Oe 15.3 <0 130
438 | Aug. 31,1909 IT 21.3 au 195
439) e022. donsi2 oo ‘ 11.1 43.0 12.3 408
440 |..... CMS ogeece GHOE|Sase= GO ete eee een ene 15.4 23.6 4 203
343 | Aug. 25,1909 VANOS|ESCabberin gees suaseee eee eee seas A 3.1 11.4 4.0 117
442 | Aug. 31,1909 IPO |essoe CLO EEN Cer eR MT ae en erate ears 5.8 19.3 aC) 131
337 | Aug. 25,1909 SOF | BVietsyaSCauGenil Gams emery ene pears 8 2.5 2.9 48
344 {22 2.. doseeceet TSO | Perse LOS ere aerate i Shere nln Sone 6.1 11.2 eel 121
437 | Aug. 31,1909 14SON eDepletedse aap eseee th Soe se eek .0 1.8 .9 19
441 12... dossasece O50 Wessae COS ee ie Wen eels moe cree 0 1.4 1.4 22

POINT OF SHOALS ROCK.

This name is here given to a large area of varying productiveness
lying between the preceding, Long Shoal and Point of Shoals Light-
house, but it is possible that the name as used by the oystermen may
not strictly accord with this usage. Scattered over the area are a
number of small shoals ebbing nearly or quite bare, but the average
depth is in general between 6 and 8 feet. Excepting at its northern
edge, where an imaginary line separates it from Long Shoal Rock,

44 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

the bed is everywhere bounded by the deep water of the ship chan-
nel or a swash channel which separates it from Dry Shoals and
Swash Rocks. Where it faces the ship channel there is for most
of the distance a border of barren bottom lying between the bed
proper and deep water.

The condition and extent of the bed at the time of the survey was
as follows:

OystER GROWTH ON Point oF SHOALS Rock.

-

( Oysters | Total con-
Character of growth. Area. per tent of
acre. oysters.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels.

Den Sea sec este else yee oi Soares ENS Ss COE TCE ee sorte elarer err te 254 200 50, 800
Scattering: (oe. see U see ees sae see casein orca see Soe een aaa 155 93 14, 415
WMeryiscatterin goisac sie one cieic cine ne rae Gee OE See ee ee ee eee eee 239 42 10, 038
IDA OWE s 5 Cos Sacbedac cased ssoacsopssocosos a csanSsaquosscdooulosesbeoasece 142 15 2,130

NCO Fr) Ges a eae a et ree Cea eh ae oes eels ta Ce a aS OOS eee 77, 383

The dense areas are three, one near the eastern end of the bed,
another adjoining the corresponding area of Long Shoal Rock, and
the third an. isolated spot on a shoal in the swash channel. The
densest growths occur as a rule on the shoaler spots, especially at the
eastern end of the bed, from the isolated area above alluded to to the
ship channel. In this area the average growth is about 275 bushels
of oysters to the acre—considering the depths, sufficient to yield
about 38 bushels per day’s tonging—while the average of the whole
area of dense growth would not exceed 25 bushels per day.

There are four scattering areas, one of which, near the eastern
apex of the bed, is insignificant. On these as a whole a tonger
should average, at the beginning of the season, about 10 bushels per
day.

The very scattering growth is distributed in three areas, of which
one adjoins the dense growth on the isolated patch in the swash
channel. They are barely prolific enough to raise them above the
assumed limit of depletion.

The depleted area is in five patches or ponies along the free
boundary of the bed. They are entirely negligible in their pro-
ductiveness.

On the dense and scattering areas the proportion of very small
to small oysters is higher than on the beds previously described, and |
there are several places on each where the growth of oysters above 3
inches long is fair. |

On the dense areas the deposit of shells is abundant, on the areas
of scattering growth it is ample, while the areas with a very scattering
growth and the depleted bottoms are decidedly deficient. In general
the latter two areas are of no present and little prospective sells

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 45

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION. OF PoINT oF SHOALS Rock.

Oysters caught per é
Station Date of ex auth | sduate ytd: Penne s
ae amination. | of wa- Character of growth. : oysters ae
Uae Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| 2°%¢-
Feet. | y Bushels.
321 | Aug. 25,1909 OAOG WD CISC teers ania teres cise eyo 8.7 10.5 0.3 101
BM Ieodoo COonocbce Someries GON ee Lesa Bayne 11.9 10. 3 3 116
BRIS} loots GOs secace TED Aleooee Oa Rae nt eek eal tet 9.3 7.0 162
BP) Ileaeos ODesccsce U5® \pcocd CORRES aaa aca aa ee ae 17.3 23.3 4.3 253
ants |ocase Gowensey: &b8).locace LOS Ses a ae eae 8.7 33. 4 1.3 229
SO) lsscoe Csaguaee AE) Noeose OES aR OS Nasal era eee ae 33.9 34. 8 .3 353
GUA ||, -o 56 GWaesasue WOLONeease OS eee roan 4.3 16.0 5.7 165
311 | Aug. 24,1909 TON MO CALLEN Seyret ero aie a eer 8.0 6.3 ai 81
319 | Aug. 25,1909 OT ape Oe ie nae merece eee os ee 12 iyo 4.3 76
BB lcosce G@scoccce WsB Nooces COR eee Reet Le ee 6.2 18683 .4 104
OAS Peers doeeeeeee su Weosee COeeeccostade sone saeeeee eee 8 5. 0 5.8 92
Gite |ecoce@Macacods SEO) llooaos COR eee cee siege ats 2.0 6.3 6.7 114
308 | Aug. 24,1909 108) .0 1.0 5.6 65
BO lessee doa To) .3 .0 13) 5
320 | Aug. 25,1909 7.0 sel 2 BS 1.7 34
BY Nacoos GO Po eae 8.0 1.3 2.7 Pe: 50
527 | Sept. 11,1909 6.5 -5 | 4.0 2.9 54
309 | Aug. 24,1909 od) .0 .0 -0 0
326 | Aug. 25, 1909 9.5 .0 .0 ile Il 12
883) |lcsson does 10.5 il, 7 2.1 Is 7 38
Bb) les 55c GOssatsee 9.0 |. .0 .0 .0 0
531 | Sept. 11,1909 7.0 .0 2.4 eat 24

SWASH ROCK.

This bed lies inshore of the preceding, nearly surrounded by swash
channels. It is connected by narrow isthmuses with Long Shoal and
Dry Shoal Rocks and adjoins V Rock to the westward. It consists
of a dense area surrounding two shoals ebbing bare, and two depleted
areas which connect it with adjoining beds.

Its condition and extent in August, 1909, was as follows:

OYSTER GROWTH ON SWASH Rock.

Estimated

; Oysters | total con-
Character of growth. Area. per acre.| tent of
oysters.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels.

IDSs GBs oa cee GE BEES OBO GOO UME HOt eer ma See ea a tegen a sry aire am trae 146 293 42,778
SPS TS Ps pe eee NR a Se a Spe NET cS eae ye au re ciandyaisle ove mieisiw wines ners 115 15 1,725
TRO Ged Men een ake ai are Sete Clee ate aeRO erate Sacre s al SG aia sates 26le | eeec sees 44, 503

The dense area as a whole is prolific in its product, but the middle
part of the bed, between the shoal spots, is less densely covered than
the surrounding area. It is estimated that at the beginning of the
season a tonger could take an average of about 39 bushels of oysters
per day. The covering of clean shells is sufficient to guarantee a good
strike under favorable conditions. The depleted bottom is practically
bare of oysters and shells and is at present and potentially worthless
under natural conditions.

46

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

The following examinations were made during the survey:

Deraits or EXAMINATION OF SwasH ROcK.

Oysters caught per :

Station Mean square yard. Estimated

num- | Date ofex- | depth Character of growth quantity
er amination. | of wa- 8 as oysters per

ue Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| 2¢T¢-

Bushels.

324 | Aug. 25, 1909 ay 2 a 4 y e pau
820 |2o sce Gossss ses: 12.3 7.3 ;

228 | Aug. 20, 1909 -0 -0 .0 0
323 | Aug. 25, 1909 0 1.2 1.9 27
437 | Aug. 31,1909 -0 1.8 9 19

MULBERRY SWASH ROCK.

This is a long narrow bed lying between Swash and V rocks on the
outside and the so-called Marshy Island Rock on the shoreward side.
At its southeastern end it is connected by narrow strips of indifferent
productiveness with Wreck Shoal and Dry Shoal rocks, and its off-
shore boundary is the edge of the deep swash channel running toward
Mulberry Point. .

It consists essentially of bottom carrying a dense growth, inter-
rupted at two places by areas of inferior productiveness. Its con-
dition and extent in the latter part of August, 1909, are shown
in the following table:

OysTER GROWTH ON MULBERRY SwasH Rock.

Estimated
Oysters | total con-
Character of growth. Area. per acre. | tent of oys-
ters.
Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels
MP OTAS Cos ee Rake ee esr eR eh NIE EEN AU oc nS RR CL eo OT Cae 422 302 127, 444
SCAG Ger ira ps aes eee as eo pare ae NC at a ale eee ems eae 34 2, #106) 3, 604
Mery scattering: 27 icscoa ae socaone ofa ene ee Hee Ae eee eee 20 130 2,600
Depletediece Wren ele CaN minal at aa sae Sine ens eS Sian aire tea 29 43 1, 247
ERG talieee tsk renee eee fied f: Gu hon Ue gae ees oe eer Omer GOH |ssscscscce 134, 895

The dense area bears a growth varying from 161 to 570 bushels
per acre, and the depths vary from 8 to upward of 20 feet. The
heavier growth is as a rule in the shoaler water, though this rule is not
without exceptions. It is estimated that a tonger could take an
average of about 23 bushels per day at the beginning of the season.

The scattered area is limited in extent and bears a growth of be-
tween 88 and 117 bushels per acre, in a depth of between 13 and 15
feet, and it is estimated that it will yield about 8 bushels per day. |

The area of very scattering growth connects this bed with Wreck
Shoal Rock, and although, as shown by the foregoing table, the
erowth is heavier than on the preceding area, it lies in between 18
and 20 feet of water and will therefore be less productive to the tonger,
its estimated initial yield being about 7 bushels per day. The de-
pleted area is in several small patches.

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 47

_ There is an abundant supply of shells on the dense area, a quantity
of doubtful sufficiency on the bottoms bearing scattermg and very
scattering growths, and a deficiency on the depleted bottom.

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF MULBERRY SwasH Rock.

Oysters caught per :
Station | ate of ex death ; pouaney ends ee
leg ll aamionen. | Geuts Character of growth. oysters per
wer Spat. | Culls. | Counts. Chou
Feet. Bushels.
213 | Aug. 19, 1909 ASO | DOmSe sce seers tie Sat aren gata (Silvanus 7.4 187
219 | Aug. 20,1909 10) Onsascin CKO MES NWR INN Gated eens ae 48.8 42.1 3.3 498
22016 | een dope WO Wessea LE eae es Saree ane ae PIR 13.9 11.6 2.9 161
220) ee se Goze ee ek plo |eeee GUO )e eee ce ues nd ara aga 20.5 23.7 8.7 319
PHO sg ee COs Ie Ss IPSS lensoe Ces eee Ge ee En chai 3.2 27.3 9.6 259
SON eine CWgeaones WA leesse LO ence Se eas TN US 16.1 16.5 6 173
PBs) \lsease Goreme: WO Nocese (Gyre es erences) Sra Pe rea a 26.5 31.9 28) 322
331 | Aug. 25, 1909 NGO toeese (Gye ete ae E) o k N OROB rN 16.8 30.0 6.8 312
338 |.---- Oise =O) eee CG Gece ce eee mes Rs 23.8 80.0 4.2 570
346 |..--.- OMe UO oceda CO ais oy oak eae gas Se Sati 28.9 34.0 “33 324
432 | Aug. 31, 1909 IGS lessee (OO) Es cies Sie myocar a 22, 17.2 253 200
433 |.-.-- Cle Oe eigen TS On MS GCaLvenIn Sete sete ae eee 5.7 10.9 533 88
439) |ea 22: GOSS doe 1B O esses Close rea cis Mey Sane SS tae 5.8 10.7 25 113
436 |___.. GOP ae EO Wes eed (CLOSE ea Rae pata tea penser 3.6 17.3 1.0 117
345 | Aug. 25,1909 SSO MVieTyes Cab benimes ei assem 5.4 16. 4 1.8 130
YAO Noe, Sic tee) |) 7.0 || Wreyalswel ols ae oe aoe 5 41 1.8 43

MARSHY ISLAND ROCK.

This lies between Mulberry Swash Rock and the inshore boundary
of the public ground, principally in the ‘“addition’’ which was made
a part of the ground subsequent to the Baylor survey. The name
here employed is coined for the purpose of this report, as the name by
which this area of oyster bottom is known to the oystermen, if it has a
distinctive name, was not ascertained by the survey. The outer or
offshore boundary of the bed is defined more or less sharply by a
channel, carrying a maximum of from 21 to 27 feet of water, between
this and Mulberry Swash Rock.

The condition and extent of this bed about the middle of August,
1909, was as follows:

OystER GROWTH ON Marsuy IstAND Rock.

jog Usiunated
ysters | total con-
Character of growth. Area. per acre. tent of
oysters.
Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels.
HD) CT Sees A a OB ON a Sens ey si 197 231 45, 507
SCAtbeRIM go eaienr un Bares eee eaee aeeite 322 129 41,538
Very scattering 235 85 19,975
JUS) Cy oF sxe Nets sais ee a as i ah ae ena a 387 18 6, 966
Total. ...- GEIEE Mabe ot pe ttael Se ete Pace eee Se EN ey pa U EU uA AIDE Rs NOR Nea aaa aN NPAT See Df 113, 986 _

The dense areas lie in three isolated patches which exhibit no mate-
rial shoaling over the surrounding bottom, except where they touch
the channel which bounds the bed offshore. The depth of water on

20201 —10-—_4

48 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

the several areas ranges between 6 and 16 feet, and the density of
erowth between 142 and 410 bushels per acre. It is estimated that
the bottoms are capable of producing an initial yield of about 18
bushels per day.

The scattering area occupies a general Perer position in the bed
surrounding one of the dense spots. The depth varies from 10 feet
inshore to about 22 feet at the edge of the channel, and the quantity
of oysters varies between 92 and 186 bushels per acre. The estimated
daily yield to the tonger is about 10 bushels.

The bottom covered by a very scattering growth forms a zone
encircling the inner edge of the preceding. It lies in a depth varying
from 7 to 16 feet, and, although the examinations were not as numerous
as they should have been, they indicate that the growth is sufficient
to yield an average of between 6 and 7 bushels per day.

The depleted bottom lies in a belt on the inside edge of the bed.
It is practically bare of oysters and shells.

Shells are found in fair quantities on the dense bottom and on the
outer parts of the scattering growth, but are deficient on the inshore
parts of the latter, on most of the area of very scattering growth, and
on the depleted area.

The following observations were adler

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF MarsHy ISLAND Rock.»

Oysters caught per
Station Date of ex ae “squate yard. pe
pees amination. | of wa- Character of growth. preter ne
wae Spat. | Culls. |Counts. aes

Feet. Bushels.
217 | Aug. 19,1909 1330), BD ense wees Soe See ener ae eee 5.4 12.7 4.6 142
225 | Aug. 20, 1909 WS |e sade CLO Fe Shh AAs ANC ES Neoae Wea 6.2 23.1 1.9 170
2d2m mere CW eccsoos 140 |Pecee ae SS ae UE Aa eee ee eee 10.4 54.3 8.3 410
Seer CWsscscone EL Sl ees GLO emer arate te tae eee eaeretey ee WU 11156) 9.6 201
22a |Baaee do... 13.0 Scattering Be eiaeile Ae eey erase 6.7 9.6 8 92
222) |e sass dozs SUSE aCe eres ecaie Sub eigen aaa eit 8.1 9.2 1.2 102
2247) REE Cowes ae guavas do bol A CLASS ART a onan api 20 8.8 7.5 136
PB Nooooc COspasccee W/o: lssoce ae MENS: ayaa feyone tar Sheree eStore Stee 10.9 23.6 -9 186
2B) |beose Gosaeeeee FSO) ph aa O's Sates cep Sue ees 2 Tod 12.1 2.8 129
2S Nooo ae CO gccerec 9.0 | Very maatieeine SI ae aN 1 eee as 1.2 5.8 4.2 81
234 |..... dove. o25e5 USO) esses (6 Ko AA ON tere Ada ia eae at 4.5 15.9 A) 109
218 | Aug. 19,1909 1250})| Depletediys ci eds ase-naseeeeee 20 8 1.3 18

LONG SHOAL ROCK.

This triangular bed flanks a shoal, ebbing bare in many places,
which extends eastwardly from Point of Shoals light-house for a
distance of upward of 14 miles. As understood in this report, its.
boundary is an imaginary line running from Point of Shoals light
toward Jail Island at an average distance of about 300 to 400 yards
from the crest of the shoal, as far as the swash channel opening toward
the northwest, along the edge of this channel to its mouth, and thence
to the starting point. The main body of the rock, therefore, lies
north of the crest of the bar. Its condition and extent about the
beginning of September, 1909, were as follows:

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 49

OYSTER GROWTH ON Lone SHOAL Rock.

Guk ustimated
ysters | total con-
Character of growth. Area. per acre. tent of:
oysters.
Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels.
UD OTS OR reefer fatte oye sc eee arte eet ET RE MISA catya dd mise mic RNnE cinlaAecaisiete 331 241 79,771
SCAG TOTIT Ores ean ee pe ae ee ere stctn Sieve ce Sie pereic alnjaisiadicietnse Salad SASEISE aise 10 64 640
IVMenVeSCAUb erin gees We tiene ete cherries aves miejals arin ate eee creates 84 60 5, 040
Deplete diapers ones years aise eA el Sas a wel renee oa Gee sme 79 16 1, 264
Totals: Ware see Sa ees SOS Oo See a AE ee Dee ee Saar iP tae OO AE Ras ee ese 86,715

A dense growth of small oysters, with a good proportion of larger
ones in a few spots, covers the major part of the bed. At various
places the total growth varies between 148 and 364 bushels per acre,
and it is estimated that at the beginning of the season a tonger could
take about 28 bushels per day.

The scattering growth is comprised in one small spot about 100 to
200 yards from the light-house, where about 9 bushels per day may be
taken. 7

The very scattering growth les in two small patches along the
western border of the bed and a larger area southof the ridge is con-
tinuous with similar bottom on Point of Shoals Rock. It is capable of
yielding between 6 and 7 bushels per day. The depleted area, lies
south of the outer half of the ridge, with a small patch on the swash
channel. It is practically bare of oysters and shells.

The areas bearing oysters in dense and scattering growth are cov-
ered with a supply of shells amply sufficient to serve the purposes of
cultch. The small patches of very scattering growth are also fairly
covered, but the large area south of the ridge and the depleted area
adjoining are deficient.

The following observations were made:

DeEtTaIts oF EXAMINATION OF LoNG SHOAL Rock.

Oysters caught per &
Station] poteofe Pa square yard. Bees
i X- e
coon amination. | of wa- Character of growth. = oysters per
Wer. Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| 2°¢
Feet. Bushels.
295 | Aug. 24,1909 SHOR Dense sie eared) sea, erate ie 25. 8 29.7 2.3 308
296 |...-- doesn 1O;OjNeeeas (0 LOSE Uren Ii Deca r Ma 20. 4 25. 4 A 237
298n eee Loe oe 1G) ooo oe CS A es ee ae 11.9 13. 4 9.6 232
299) | eae GOEe Nene: O55} |[ocoos (6 Ka) eR ee an ane 22. 8 17.1 2.5 230
S00) |Eaeee CORT ee: OG loosse LD es es a ea eae ae 19.2 10.0 12.5 283
BOIL fe asoe dose ee WO |loosas Os Seer eisene cea taneeee ae 20. 3 7.3 od 148
IIS} |oouee donss ke GO |ase0 LO eae og a ice ESN 19.7 25. 8 -0 232
318 |..--- dOvescses 6.0 |..--- (CKO Saas ert ee Sasa 40. 7 30. 7 -0 364
322 | Aug. 25, 1909 &.0 escac (0 (0) GUS erie arty rn tlre ea sespe rea a) 4.6 13.1 164
529 | Sept. 11,1909 BO asso LO oh ea eae (ON Mes pe regan 19.7 21.4 -0 210
BY Weseec Oe: CRON MSGatterim oes eee ee ee il at 6.6 2.3 64
297 | Aug. 24,1909 1M OF aVieryiscatteninige essen aun 6.1 4.5 1.9 74
12s eee (OYE ase OVO seses ClO Sa ABE rnoaeHuaeedoses aan ae ral 3.3 4.2 72
538 | Sept. 11,1909 AN OU\ eens C6 (OR Seay Gee eRe aloe at 3.9 3. 2. -0 36
307 | Aug. 24,1909 85:,| (Depleted. 2-265 aor sten oe ee 1.4 1.1 2.5 39
528 | Sept. 11,1909 G8 |laséen OS sea gs Gre lige ye 0 1.1 5 11
534 |....- dons eeae ZoOVecece GO RB Re ease man eHe sabia arersette 1.3 3.4 3 27
535 |.---- doseeeeee COW Eee C6 Co ae ay i ee ae 0 an) 3 6
SY) Nescoe doseeeee @Oeseee GO! Ee ee REE CSE eeu 2 Bt) oe, 6
S4OuRe ees dow ee: QO |soese CRO RE a ects Se brn ee 5 25 2 U

50 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.
V ROCK.

This bed takes it name from the shape of a bare shoal near its
southwestern edge. It is inshore of the preceding rock and adjoins
Swash Rock to the southeast.

The area and character of growth on the bed are epitomized in the
following table:

OYSTER GROWTH ON V Rock.

Estimated
Oysters | total con-
per acre. | tent of

Character of growth. Area.
: oysters.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels.
227

ID GWG s 636 255 55355555552 5305 sascde ssh bsaesastsesosodesadaseusscasnes5asese 240 54, 480
WGIAY SERIE 5 5 3 soa scasasonesapsencescss co es one sedosossosacaseussoons=: 73 84 6, 132
IDR MWA LS - So cose eg scene seuss eg sene sceeessegscasedsoscessbaseecsssoca4: 73 15 1,095

AOU So bese seco sse ov odass cosas deadsenonsoansscassoocoEsosSSoSaNc C119) ocesosbess 61, 707

The dense area occupies the middle belt of the bed and carries a
growth of between 144 and 344 bushels per acre, the average estimated
yield per day to the tonger being about 21 bushels.

The very scattering growth hes along the northwestern edge of the
bed and on a comparatively shallow ridge along the swash channel
near its mouth. It bears oysters in a quantity to yield about 7
bushels per acre.

The depleted area adjoins similar bottom on Swash Rock and is
practically bare of both oysters and shells. The supply of shells on
the rest of the bed is ample to secure their reseeding under proper
conditions.

The data for the bed are as follows:

DeETAILS oF EXAMINATION OF V Rock.

Oysters caught per
Station] ate ofe ae Daten aa eee
at x- p
Ebeae amination. | of wa- Character of growth. oysters per
ter: Spat. | Culls. | Counts. CIEU:
Bushels.
229 | Aug. 20, 1909 31.8 16.5 1.7 265
230 eee do aS 10.8 45.7 4 293
ZENS) | ooa6 do. 5 20.6 19.4 a0) 204
268 | Aug. 23, 1909 4.4 1582 9.6 203
303 | Aug. 24, 1909 PA 7 10. 4 -8 173
SOAS ere COs sdes58 18.3 10.0 -0 144
SUSY Non aoc Okn a Sate e 47.7 19.7 .0 344
BO0Ge| eee dose 13.9 14.6 4.8 197
Siac eso COs eenee cf do 22.5 18.7 8 219
30 loulos Oss ossse On) |Vieryiscatterine = a=eea=ne meee lees ke Gy 7.9 2.9 84
Bs oo s5 5 COseicsoae 10: 0))|MDepleted® oo teehee ee 1.3 -4 2.1 31
OLOn See do TOMO) ee eeo OO Se A eee 0 .0 .0 0

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 51

MOORES ROCK.

The bed known to the oystermen by this name lies on a shoal
surrounded by deep water about halfway between Point of Shoals
Light-House and Mulberry Point. It consists principally of bottom
_ bearing a dense growth, with a scattering fringe along the southern
half of its western edge. Its general extent and condition are as

follows:
OystER GROWTH ON Moores Rock.

6 Estimated
ysters | total con-
Character of growth. Area. per acre. tent of

" | oysters.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels.
vf 265 9, 805
Ca llenin ges so oes ae amce eeee ements oaine asin a eisin ais see csi Seine ce ate 6 168 1, 008
LNG Naa CU AS SSC rm ES ee | ASB Waveney sice: 10,813

On the dense area the oysters, as developed by the survey, range
between 134 and 351 bushels per acre, and it is estimated that the
bottom as a whole will produce about 28 bushels of oysters per day
of tonging.

The area of scattering growth lies in the deeper water close to the
adjoining barren bottom, and its estimated yield to the tonger is
about 8 bushels per day. The deposit of shells is good over the
entire area of the bed.

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF Moores Rock.

Oysters caught per i
Station Date of ex: Aeon Square yard: antes
ee amination. | of wa- Character of growth. | oysters per
ter. Spat. | Culls. |Counts. acre.
Feet. | Bushels.
241 | Aug. 20,1909 OR Ou ID ENSO sreceisoc ctmsisisiare ae ete cle ers ete 33.4 35.4 0.0 351
265 | Aug. 23,1909 10,8 josese GOs ee aajese asians oe Seow cee 19.6 19.2 255 225
7400) |laoges Oessaueds Gxon Soe GO Se Se Maree A ee ee 28.3 33.4 3.3 350
AN fl lsanee Ou ae Ob lesoed (6 [a essere ae Gp Sav Rete et a 13.3 13.0 -0 134
242 | Aug. 20,1909 20NON MOCAtLeLIn gee eas eee eee e ae 10. 4 12.5 .0 168
|

HORSEHEAD ROCK.

This bed covers several shoals along the edge of deep water south
of Mulberry Point, and for the purpose of this report is considered to
include a small patch close to the Baylor line to the eastward. The
apex of the bed is detached, but the remainder is continuous, though
of varying productiveness. East of this rock and north of Marshy
Island Rock the survey found small patches of oysters close to the
Baylor line, adjoining or included in various planted beds. This re-
gion is shown on the charts. included within red lines but without
shading. —

52 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

The general distribution of oysters on Horsehead Rock is as
follows:
OysTER GRowTH ON HoRSEHEAD Rock.

5 Estimated

ysters | total con-

Area. per acre. tent of
oysters.

Character of growth.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels.

Dense tee oy ae aes Me aes aCe PM ER La Me ee A cc 33 223 7, 359
Scattering 5.56 22/5202 astoshese aoe he Pee seats eer ee eee ee eee 192 104 19, 968
Wery SCatteninee: seca sie een esac ee cece eee eee: Ronen eat see ae ee eee 139 112 15, 568
Depleted! sare Vy e esl se See Se Se ae are afore a Re ee ae eRe ace eee 16 0 0

MRO GALS hes Sreleie tun SE Mey ah ee a Se RY Neate Net nner Chel) ose soes se 42, 895

The areas of dense growth are on the terminal isolated shoal and
in two small patches on the main part of the bed. The growth
varies between 178 and 283 bushels per acre, and it is estimated that
the area as a whole will yield an average of 20 bushels per day to the
tonger at the beginning of the season.

On the areas of scattering oysters the density of growth is between
47 and 170 bushels per acre, and it is estimated that they are capable
of yielding, at the beginning of the season, an average of about 7
bushels per day per tonger.

On the bottom which is rated as carrying a very scattering growth
the average per acre is slightly higher than on the preceding, but as
the water is deeper it is less productive in its return per day of fabes
expended on it.

The depleted bottom lies inshore, close to Mulberry Point, and is
practically, in many cases absolutely, bare of oysters and almost as
deficient in shells. On all other areas the deposit of shells is good
or fair. 5

DeraIts or EXAMINATION OF HORSEHEAD Rock.

Oysters caught per t
Station! pote of ex- aes square yard. Peres
py amination. | of wa- Character of growth. oysters per
ter. Spat. | Culls. | Counts. acres
: Bushels.
256 | Aug. 23,1909 19.3 35. 4 0.4 283
do 16.5 PRET .3 203
6.5 29. 6 4.1 227
9.1 24.5 .6 178
4.1 6.4 10.9 170
6.5 16.9 12 122
5. 4 i155, il -5 110
8.1 5.9 -3 74
f Toil 1 .4 104
273 | Aug. 24,1909 cL Oe ee COs AS =e « aia Shee aa 4 5.6 ilo i 47
260 | Aug. 23, 1909 LGROMMVICEVASCALLC TIT Oe ee eye ne 4.5 16.3 54) 112
274 | Aug. 24, 1909 G50") *Denleted Me i2235:206 eee ere .0 .0 .3 4
BY |esoes doe &. Ble oeee CO KG\ars ee eae ese ES aS .0 42 .0 1
29a pees dO eee 5.0) lecese Gon r7 Pia es ek eee .0 .0 -0 0
2925 | na aee doy ae ALB |ocano COE Oe Ss US ae ania .0 .0 .0 0
PRB} looser dome ae On Been LORE RE COE CE Le i aa ete .0 .0 .0 0
OAM eee dong Gee: Tf sso GLO a Sees ARSE Soe BSeicoGs5e .0 .0 .0 0

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 53
DEEPWATER SHOALS ROCK.

This is considered as including all oyster bottoms within the Bay-
lor lines above Mulberry Point. Its condition and extent are as
follows:

OystER GROWTH ON DEEPWATER SHOAL Rock.

*

R Estimated

- ysters | total con-

Character of growth. Area. per acre. jc fait
oysters.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels.

IDIRES =. pos eH eC EEE See i Sibel s Boies Ge SDS aeS SHORE SaaS Uae OB Sa aE Se Oa eeEe 17 129 2,193
Very scattering........-. SER Ss ALISA PA e/a os St vei eee ee Gri eae 21 57 1,097
TU ey Nee LS eM EO Ba I a OTA a Ee Le a Ae 241 12 2,892

AMGEN oc Ges Soros aa See BOS OER Ue DE BDO R BAe A RAS SERS eae GEE Rees OHO Sacer 6, 182

The comparatively small productive area on this bed all lies within
a radius of about 1,000 yards of Deepwater Shoals Light-House,
most of it being in the immediate vicinity of the light. The dense
area is in two small patches on which there is a sufficient growth to
yield an average maximum of about 15 bushels per day of actual
tonging.

The very scattering areas are three in number, all more or less
intimately associated with the preceding. They should yield about
6 bushels per day at the beginning of the season.

The depleted area is practically devoid of oysters. On the areas
of dense and very scattering growth there is a good covering of shells,
and they are also found in ample numbers on the depleted area
within a radius of 1,000 or 1,200 yards of the light, but elsewhere the
bed is practically denuded.

The following examinations were made:

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF DEEPWATER SHOALS ROCK.

Oysters caught per i
: Mean Estimated
Station square yard. L
Date of ex- | depth quantity
pee amination. | of wa- Character of growth. oysters per
wa Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| 2°7°
Feet. Bushels.
269 | Aug. 23, 1909 4.0 4.6 12.6 0.3 91
PAK) Noo oee Gos seees: 9.0 2.1 12) 9 5.8 138
285 | Aug. 24, 1909 8.0 1.2 17.0 ~9 158
272.| Aug. 23, 1909 5.0 1.2 8 .0 44
284 | Aug. 24, 1909 10. 0 -0 -8 4.2 49
P40) Ila eos dome aiirs 8.0 .0 dot 3.3 74
288 |...-- Goseseene Opens COE Sasa sis oe cro eee ieee of) 4.9 at 0) 62
271 | Aug. 23,1909 GROwPDe pleted Gasas cae mah ae Seer 53) 2.9 6 23
282 | Aug. 24, 1909 BO Ilnoose (Lays ig ha NO LR ea 0 5D 0 1
AEB noose dose CRON CR as On ae ete eS IN ay lets 383 5) .0 9
BS \no660 oka oO Neshce LOSS Sey ee ce Ln eet oof 2.2 -0 15

54 |

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

ROCK WHARF

SHOALS ROCK.

This bed hes near the western end of Public Ground No.1, Isle of
Wight County, across the river from the group of seed beds previously

described.

It forms two patches surrounding shoals and consists

principally of productive bottom, as shown in the following table:

.

OYSTER GROWTH ON Rock WHARF SHOALS Rock.

Character of growth.

6 Betta
5 ysters | total con-
Area. per acre. tent of
oysters.
Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels.
18 140 2,520
11 88
Pa) (eee a ee, 2, 608

The dense area should yield an average of about 22 bushels of

_oysters per day, and is fairly covered with clean shells. The de-
pleted bottom is practically bare of both oysters and shells.
Devas oF ExaMINATION oF Rock Warr SHoats Rock.
Oysters caught per i
X= 1
shee amination. | of wa- (CRETE Nae Oi OCT oysters au
* ter. acre.
Spat. | Culls. | Counts.
Feet. Bushels.
421 | Aug. 28, 1909 dsl SD enisean ately eee oes ae eee Rete Te Sal 1346 2.1 129
LGD Nii dolgee: Giles Goes 3S der wenn aaa 113 | alba 1.4 152
ZY) |ossée COS ooede | 3. Depleted ta: sacra ate fase eens -0 2 9 11
BEDS BETWEEN ROCK WHARF SHOALS AND SPINDLE ROCK.

These cover the largest area of productive bottom in the ground,
Their aggregate area and extent are

distributed in three patches.

as foll

OWS:

OysTER GROWTH ON BEDS BETWEEN Rock WHARF SHOALS AND SPINDLE Rock.

Character of growth.

MONO cyl cles cyeitlss Ae HEe cae lapis aves sae SE SS ES Oe ee EEE Se RIEO Eee eer re
Very scattering

Depleted

Area.

Oysters
per acre.

Total con-
tent of
oysters.

ah Bushels.

6,300
230
666

7, 196

_ The dense areas are close to the shoal spots and in various places
bear from 101 to 178 bushels per acre, the average density being
sufficient to yield about 22 bushels per day to the tonger.

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. by by

~The bottom of very scattering growth covers but a small spot at
the outer end of the middle shoal, and the density of growth is suffi-
cient to yield barely 5 bushels of ead oysters per day.
The depleted bottom is practically denuded. It bears very lon
shells, and the very scattering bottom is little better in this respect,
but the shell deposit on the dense areas 1s good.

DErains or EXAMINATION OF BEDS BETWEEN Rock WHARF ELD ALS AND SPINDLE

Rock.
Oysters caught per :
utr see ea | sauare yard. "| Estimated
ate of ex- ep y
yer, | amination. | of-wa- Oneuncus: © BAO S| Osis te
ter Spat. | Culls. | Counts. eho aee
; lies
Feet. : Bushels.
409 | Aug. 28,1909 ASOD) CN SC rays sae rts ence eee eee 8.6 18.2 1.0 147
AW ia ees do (EO) oases GOSS eG sae seen. eke 17.0 10.0 -8 146
418 |...-.. dos ats UA | oan ClO ea aoa IRA A AN Ee A oem 9.2 9.0 2.6 121
4) aso do DOM lee ees GOB eee ayer as sao ree 9.4 20.0 2.6 178
A leeeee GOs aaeee SHON eae COL ae aoe ibe bess 6.2 8.4 2.5 101
424 |_.... Gowaeenee a8) |, WORE SCOURING 8 oS kee Seeesccss oi) 3. 1 2.6 46
ALON Waters Glijaeanece G85s|sDepletedt 22 ae aes ok soe eee 3 1.3 11583 22
AIG) |. 2-2. doses Ud ices ae LOA Seema scence oe -0 3 1.3 15

SPINDLE ROCK.

This bed follows the line of a shoal at right angles to the shores. It
consists principally of a dense growth, with insignificant areas of very
scattering oysters and depleted bottom at its inner end. Its area
and condition at the time of the survey were as follows:

OYSTER GROWTH ON SPINDLE Rock.

Estimated
Oysters | total con-
per acre. tent of
oysters.

Character of growth. ” Area.

TIEN OUTS es I ery aS NS De ee 14 140 1, 960

IWetyaS Cable nin ois i eee m a sarge erie ees yore s amore pege es 3 oe oc SERS 3 27 81

DYE) OV ELEC ba ees SOB e ae one es SA OU ees eae atene oan ele ea ree Ghee ee 2 12 | 24
|

Ota em coe a here eee ene ete Deter nies esc 197 eee ee 2, 065

The dense area bears a growth of between 119 and 179 bushels per
acre, and is capable of producing about 21 bushels of oysters per day’s
‘tonging; the area of very scattering growth will yield barely 5
bushels and the depleted bottom about 2 bushels. The area of dense
erowth bears a good supply of shells, that of very scattering growth
hardly enough to insure reseeding except under the best conditions,
while the depleted bottom is deficient.

.

56 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

The following examinations were made:

Derarts oF EXAMINATION OF SPINDLE ROcK.

Oysters caught per BSc
Station MRE square yard. quantity
m- | Date ofex- | depth Character of growth
ree - | amination. | of wa- ; | Oysters per
we: Spat. | Culls. |Counts. ;
Feet. Bushels.
415 | Aug. 28, 1909 6:0); Dense!s.c22) an ae eee 7.7 19.7 3.7 179
APA) Lock oe Goneerree EB) Wogada Oss hie soe tee 8.8 14.0 4 120
ANT Nene COseasces OHO aS eon OS sooseo sense cosas ascsscano 7.4 13.6 iil 119
Als Beare doses 4.0 | Very seattering.......-.-.-.---.-- 1.3 2.6 oll 27
AN Nanos Chjesoasse 4655) Depleted sae ae 2 oe enna -0 9 ail 12

DAYS POINT SHOAL BED.

This follows a shoal but part of which is included in the public
ground. The part included embraces a dense growth capable of
yielding to the tonger about 27 bushels of oysters per day. The
following is the result of the examination made:

DeETaAILs oF EXAMINATION OF Days Point SHOAL Rock.

Oysters caught per i
Sta- Dat f een eatena ard o Hstima ies
tion ate o ep : quantity
num- | examination. of Character of growth. . Oysters
ber. water. Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| P& 2°Te-
Feet. | Bushels.
413 | Aug. 28,1909 A Sule enses ke te eee ane ae P| DPB} 1.5 166

PUBLIC GROUNDS.

The public oyster grounds of Virginia are those areas of the bot-
toms of tide water which are included within the lines of the Baylor
survey and additions thereto upon which the public is permitted
to take oysters at certain seasons of the year on compliance with cer-
tain conditions, and which are withheld from lease for purposes of
oyster culture under private and exclusive control.

The public grounds were designed to include all of the natural rocks,
though, as has been explained previously, no actual examination
was made for the purpose of really determining the facts. The
boundaries are necessarily straight lines and do not purport to con-
form to the outlines of the actual rocks, and largely for this reason
they can not fail to include within their confines more or less barren
bottom. The relation which the barren bottoms bear to that which
actually produces oysters has been in more or less acrimonious dis-
pute between the tongers and dredgers on the one hand and the
planters and their partisans on the other, and it was largely to
secure authentic and definite information on this point that the
present survey was undertaken.

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. — 57

The public grounds are officially designated by numbers and the
name of the county within which they are supposed to lie, and on
the accompanying charts their boundaries, accurately platted from
the charts of the Baylor survey, are indicated by broken black lines.
The boundaries of the natural rocks, as determined by the present
survey, are shown in solid red lines, within which the varying density
of oyster growth is shown by the relative density of the shading.
An inspection of the charts will show that the natural rocks are more
or less scattered, between and about them lying barren bottoms,
shown as unshaded areas, within the boundaries of the Baylor survey.

At various places it was found that certain private grounds, as
indicated by the boundary stakes, encroached more or less on the
public grounds, though from. the flimsy character of the marks it was
difficult in many cases to determine the real facts. This apparent
encroachment of private interests on the public domain was observed
at various places in Nansemond River, between Fishing Point and
Ballards Marsh, about Creek Channel Shoal and Aaron Shoal rocks,
in the vicinity of Browns Shoal rocks, at the inshore edges of Kettle
Hole and Blunt Point rocks, and at various places between Jail Island
and Mulberry Point.

Whatever may have been the conditions under which this en-
-croachment was originally permitted, it was undoubtedly aided by
the latter-day uncertainty as to the Baylor boundaries. Apparently
but little effort has been made to maintain or replace the shore
marks to which the corners of the Baylor survey were referred, and
a number of them appear to be now unavailable for reference. The
irreeularity of the boundaries has also made the maintenance of the
lines more difficult, and the same conditions have made it almost
impossible for the oyster police to prevent the planters from depre-
dating the public beds beyond their staked boundaries.

These reasons have made it important to both ‘‘natural growthers”’
and planters that an examination should be made into the actual
location of the productive areas or those which, though at present
more or less unproductive, may be reasonably expected to recuperate
under proper natural conditions.

To assist to an understanding of the conditions on the public
beds as a whole the following discussion is offered. The several
public beds in the region surveyed are considered with regard to the
relative areas of dense, scattered, very scattered, and depleted
growths, and barren bottom. The first four are measured from the
results of the present survey, while the barren bottom is regarded
as the difference between the sum of these areas and the areas of the
public beds according to Baylor’s computations, the data being ex-
hibited in tabular form for each of the several public grounds. For
each public ground or for each fraction or combination considered
as an entity in the following pages, there are furnished tables and

Do. OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINTA.

summaries of the estimated total contents of market oysters, as
distributed by rocks and varying densities of growth. These esti-
mates are interesting, but are misleading if regarded as a measure of
productiveness, for a very sparse growth over a large area, as compared
with a dense growth over a small one, will give a great aggregate
which really represents nothing commercially, as the oysters may
be so thinly scattered as to be totally unavailable industrially.

The important point is not how many oysters there may be on
a given bed at a given time, but the quantity of oysters available
under existing local economic conditions, the maximum number
of bushels that can be removed with profit to the tonger.

It is unnecessary to explain to those familiar with the oyster

industry that it is practically impossible to accomplish a complete
denudation of the beds in any one season, but there are cases known
to the writer, though he has no personal knowledge of the kind in
the region under discussion, in which small rocks have been, in effect,
taken up bodily, oysters, seed, and shells, and transferred to planted
beds.
Under ordinary circumstances, in localities where the cull laws
can be and are reasonably enforced, not only the seed or young
oysters but a considerable proportion of the market oysters are left
on the beds at the end of the season. Eventually, however, the
oysters become so scattered that the daily yield to the tonger be-
comes less than a minimum daily wage, and while the ageregate
quantity of marketable oysters left on the beds appears large when
expressed in a total of bushels, as in the tables of total contents, it
will no longer pay to take them. The minimum average density of
growth to which a bed may be reduced before becoming commer-
cially unproductive depends primarily upon the price of oysters.
The smaller the market value of a bushel of oysters the greater is
the quantity that must be taken per day to furnish a living wage.
Another factor that is essentially involved is the amount of culling
required, less labor being necessary in handling the oysters when
they are single or in small clusters than when they are badly clustered
and overgrown with young, from which they must be separated
before being placed on the market.

The depth of water is also a very important factor in determining
the actual density of growth necessary to render a bed commercially
productive. As has been explained in describing the methods pur-
sued in the preparation of this report, the deeper the water the
greater must be the quantity of oysters per square yard or acre
necessary to afford the tonger a given catch per day. Not only do
his tongs of any given length of shaft and head cover a smaller area
on the bottom, but the time and labor of making the “‘ grab’’—that is,
putting the tongs on the bottom, scraping up the oysters, and pulling
them up—are materially increased. In other words, in deep water

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 59

not only is the area covered by a ‘‘grab”’ smaller, but, other things
being equal, fewer ‘‘grabs”’ can be made in an hour than in a smaller
depth.

In the tables shown in this report and on the chart these factors
have all been considered in estimating the relative density of the
beds. In the estimation of the available contents of the rocks
as exhibited in the following tables the same factors have been con-
sidered. It is assumed that, at the price which has recently been
received for market oysters in the region under consideration—
namely, 45 cents per bushel—it would be wholly unprofitable to
tong on bottoms which would yield less than 3 bushels of culled oysters
per day, exclusive of the time spent in culling, which would ordi-
narily involve part of the time of a second man or boy. In the same
way at the price of seed oysters, namely 30 cents per bushel, it is
assumed to be equally unprofitable to tong on bottoms yielding less
than 4 bushels, exclusive of shells.

It can not be argued that this limit is too high, but undoubtedly
it will be claimed by some that it is entirely too low. The objection
would be well founded if it were to apply wholly to areas on which
the initial density of growth was such as to afford the minimum yield
adopted, but it will not lie against the application of the standard to
areas of greater initial productiveness. A dense bed in course of
partial denudation by tonging is not uniformly depleted over its whole
area. The tongers spread themselves more or less promiscuously
over the rocks and take up practically all of the oysters in patches,
while other areas are, for the time being, inadvertently left untouched.
Later many of these untouched spots are tonged with profit, until the
worked areas become so great in proportion to those which have been
overlooked that the time spent in searching for the latter makes fur-
ther work unremunerative. At this stage of temporary abandon-
ment the rock consists of a few small patches of productive bottom,
areas which are practically bare of market oysters, and others which
have been worked over but still retain some oysters scattered over
them by the operations of tonging. It is of course impossible, from
the complexity and irregularity of the conditions obtaining on an
oyster bed, to fix a limit of more than reasonable accuracy. In pre-
paring the following tables the present available productiveness of
each area has been considered with regard to the terms of its initial
yield to the tonger and its total estimated contents above that which
would give a return of 3 bushels per day’s work on the market oyster
beds and 4 bushels on the seed beds. The depleted areas and most
of the areas covered by what is called very scattered growth are there-
fore negligible as present factors. A very few areas in the depleted
bottoms and a somewhat greater proportion of the bottoms bearing
a very scattering growth are of potential value as bearing small
_ oysters and shells which reasonably assure future regeneration.

60 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

These are pointed out in the following discussion of the several
public grounds:

PUBLIC GROUNDS NO. 2 NANSEMOND COUNTY AND NO. 6 ISLE OF
WIGHT COUNTY.

These two grounds overlap, as platted on the state charts, and as
they can not be accurately differentiated in the conflicting area they
may be most conveniently considered together. The former bed
begins at the upper limit of oyster growth in the Nansemond River
off Cedar Point, and becoming continuous with No. 6 near Newport
News Rock, the latter extends along the right side of the James River
to beyond Ballards Marsh Rock. Ground No. 2 is said to contain
3,319.6 acres, and Ground No. 6, 4,148.2 acres, a total of 7,467.8; but
there is an-overlap or duplication of about 305 acres, and deducting
this, the actual total area of the two beds may be assumed to be about
7,162.8 acres. The following is a résumé of the extent of the oyster
bottoms of the several rocks and the barren bottom embraced within
the limits of these grounds:

AREAS OF OysTER GROWTH IN PuBLIC GRrouNDsS No. 2 NanSEMOND COUNTY AND
No. 6 Iste or WieuHt County.

Oyster growth.

Name of oyster rock.
Seatter- | _Very
Dense. ‘an scatter- |Depleted.| Total.
ing.
Acres Acres Acres Acres. Acres
IDpyAGIONS.o 54 cne oye ohse ces cess cuotecnacansccascasecsocbos 0 0 0 39 39
INAS CUTIG O IR GKAS s6 soon denaraasseuscoscoeneocoseae 85 446 294 782 1, 607
IDyrbGEN SOON. ca ssce coos escansensoraedoosedocsaodsoons 0 19 14 95 1
INGMIDORE INGWSiobo56-525egnccoseeodssedacnscesousdcsne 4 27 12 129 172
CrMisersSho alyssa ys esti ea eee: ear hae et jeeiemceye 27 19 26 32 104
Between Nansemond Ridge and Fishing Pointa@....._. 50 0 5 7 62
Jehan SOOM usc aasonkenscos besbosecescboopoadboscosesed 24. 13 24 95 156
rout Shoda eee seek a meee eee ee eee seee eee 0 25 14 90 129
IDG ately: awe sus soneesns edu ouer vasccouuoasueSseassdee 16 11 35 120 182
ishing Pontes hoes eee eee eee cee ere 45 77 AT 90 259
Between Fishing Point and Ballards Marsh..........-- 5 0 8 18 31
ipallardsyMars heer esses eee e eee eee ree eer eer ise 0 4 33 142 179
MotaliOysterareamerrce sees cee reeeee eee eee eee 256 641 512 1, 639 3,048
Total barren bottoms 2) 35.62 Ssh eases oes Ge See enemies nee eee Poe eee 4,114.8
AOA IBN VOe WIRIONS cooscnoce bese obaoSesesocones | leer ual I ete ae eens) PU a” 7, 162.8

a 8 acres undetermined.

It will be observed from this table that the barren bottom, as de-
veloped by this survey, exceeds the area of the oyster rocks and con-
stitutes about 57 per cent of the area of the two public grounds under
discussion. ‘The depleted bottom, which, excepting the places noted
in the detailed descriptions of the several beds, is at present unpro-
ductive and of a character that gives little or no promise of future
regeneration, forms about 23 per cent of the total area included
within the Baylor lines. Assuming that the areas of very scattering

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 61

erowth, at present practically worthless so far as actual productive-
ness is concerned, are capable of coming into production at some time
in the future, by virtue of the young growth and clean shells that
they bear, it will be seen that the actual productive oyster rocks
form only about 20 per cent of the area of these two public grounds.

The estimated total marketable contents of the grounds, based
upon the distribution of oysters as indicated by the chain, and the
actual productiveness of the various areas as determined by actual
count and measurement, is exhibited in the following table:

ConTENT oF MARKET OystERS, PuBLIC Grounps No. 2 NANSEMOND-COUNTY AND
No. 6 Iste or Wicut County.

Very
Name of rock. Dense. Scalier: scatter- |Depleted.| Total.
8 ing.
Bushels.| Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

Wa Tkins Sees oes eee ee es enya watepe see blts a cla Meal serel|eicrae icles [See Byala leiaitereeisetsls 195 195
Nansemond Ridge....-.---- See ceo ae see mene eee 7,905 26, 760 10, 878 8, 602 54, 145
1D yeh roa 2 ar ere See i Tee ene Tae a ee reek 950 546 2; 159 4,251
INGuAgOr IN CS aocoucece aaReseeceE one obebos ose aaRsasaaa * 432 1,701 420 3, 483 6, 036
(@ruiser{Shoal ae ees sa- laa here Season Seen 4,212 1,007 728 288 6, 235
INF IROCKS CUOIS Hee eoseee Maas Kose oS Sees eoauemare 9; 400) |h=- eee 210 182 5, 792
label SOE koa Ses eae eeetere Seat a Bete BAS Sac Ena 2, 160 624 600 807 4,191
PROG SO al ya eee sion Wee eeu lncte cease ee alee eee 1, 100 420 720 2, 240
1D ayer TS) Voy e ee Sl a ee ne eS Ie ee eer arene 1, 664 - SYe 945 1, 416 4, 532
BSHIN CUE OLMIbRee ees Ne = ras serene neta ore eale aa ee -| 5,355 6, 314 2, 068 1,710 15, 447
Between Fishing Point and Ballards Marsh..-.-...----- LBA) eee DAS ers eles ae 1,588
Ballard Saviars tae Nee sees he eye ayaa CI helo ara, cele | eats omer 124 792 894 1,810

RO Cale eaters te cre sere jaela cstee ats sisi oases oe 28, 468 39, 087 17, 855 21, 052 106, 462

This indicates that if it were possible to ‘“‘clean up” completely
the entire area covered by the oyster rocks, the product would be
about 106,000 bushels of marketable oysters. When an analysis is
made, it is speedily apparent that the commercially available supply
on these beds is only about 40 per cent of the foregoing, as stated in
the following table:

AVAILABLE CONTENT or MARKET OysTERS, PuspLic GRounpDs No. 2 NANSEMOND
County AND No.6 IstE oF WiaHT County.

Very
Name of rock. Dense. Scatter- scatter- | Total.
ing. ing.

Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

GAT ECITIS Haye ehatavetaisic <i iato heel a lalare aja tere le a she ees aS ch ation
Nansemond Ridge.

ID jroo ow Ce eS Sell Sects 400 100 500
INCU OOF INGwSosobaeecssobacanocescesuacdseecuaus soy 350 SOON Seeiarateeite 1, 200
CHUISCHISHO AEs as ee yk Sonera Ns apa en NAA Shebrln e e aR 3, 400 COOK eae eee 4,100
ERAT BEV O CLO LG ape kie a NEA oy oe ee i pease ie SA BHU) | bosscaubed sanoeecnaes 3, 600
TE Gedo FS aap N Uf Se Sel AS SO eA re EU 1,500 350 100 1, 950
EETO UGS 1 Oi Boe ian eee a Tee Soap oat San eee olen) Lin ieaeens ee TEES eo |e meee Un Beaeaecese 600
DO et Whoa Reis iin reece ae epee ams cee aR ern: aye Nee ee nese 1, 200 250) | Saseeenore 1, 450
INGO IRONS soa sooeto ee SORA CHOD EA ee IIa ae na E EES ae Eon 4, 400 3, 600 300 8, 300
Between Fishing Point and Ballards Marsh.................-.. 1D ZA00). | Stieaaeeaael esmbaeaae 1, 200
Ballard saMiars heme eee sated shes fads Soe NCES Sanit Se Ri meee ates ee tah 75 100 175

SO tel rarert eee ese ates eo sos ae ae ea tet aes teens ee 21,150 20, 325 1, 600 43,075

62 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

It will be observed that on the basis assumed in this report the
depleted areas are wholly unproductive commercially, and the
bottoms covered with very scattered growth are practically so. On
the latter the growth in many cases is barely sufficient to yield 3
bushels per day, and in no case does it much exceed that limit. The
large aggregate of market oysters on the areas of very scattered and
depleted bottoms are so thinly distributed as to be unavailable
commercially, and are therefore valueless except as brood stock to
assist in furnishing spat for replenishing the beds. On the dense
areas about three-fourths of the total contents and on the scattering
growths about one-half may be taken with profit.

The total estimated available product of 43,075 bushels appears
very small as compared with the area inchided within the Baylor
lines, averaging but about 6 bushels per acre. It is about half of the
average yield of marketable oysters on the public grounds of the
State as a whole in 1901 and 1904, according to the statistics of the
Bureau of Fisheries, and about soe to the average yield in 1908, as
stated by the Panes of the Census.

The deficiency in productiveness of this section was to be expected
in view of public report. The beds, especially in Nansemond River,
are generally recognized as being seriously depleted, the allegation of
the tongers being that several years ago large quantities of unculled
stock were taken from the beds for deposit on private planting ground,
and the tonger employed by the survey is authority for the statement
that the growth on the Nansemond River beds in the season preceding
the investigation was hardly sufficient to warrant tonging.

Combining the exhibits of the tables of areas and of commercially
available oysters, we find that it apparently would be profitable to
take from the dense growths about 83 bushels per acre and from the
scattering growths an average of about 32 bushels. On the bottoms
with a very scattering growth the average content per acre at the
beginning of the present oyster season was so small that, even under
the very low standard of profit adopted in this report, the beds would
be reduced to unproductiveness after an average of only about 3
bushels of oysters per acre had been removed. Of course a very large
part of this bottom must be regarded as practically unproductive
in the beginning, and it is only here and there that even the least
ambitious tonger would venture to work.

Another aspect of the present state of these groundsis the production
of young oysters and the presence of shells in such quantities and
cleanliness as to afford prospect of a strike under proper conditions.
The following table gives the estimated total content of the several
rocks and of the grounds as a whole in oysters less than 3 inches long:

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. : 63

ToraL CoNTENT OF YOUNG OR SEED Oysrers, PuBLic GRoUNDS No. 2 NANSEMOND
County anv No. 6 Iste of WicHT COUNTY.

Very
Name of rock. | Dense. | Scatter- | scatter- |[Depleted.| Total.
mB: ing.
= | Franses
Bush Bush Bush Bush Bush
ILAVHRIS 5 oe op os acosicceoseo sep eecsab bones oe coeoobeouse|seaesesqSooccsacsclooccacescs 390 390
INIMASCUNONG! IMCD... aoc seoe ee ace Saeeoebeeuseeosead= 12,580 59,318 9,996 27,370 109, 264
Dab | Aeoaesecenes siboordadgcosedboosoessdssuacoedeecus |iefeveyeretereme 1,748 854 5,890 8, 492
ING DOR EINIOWS cocasacess sosesae Sandee a CeeeEnesadsEees sine 2,025 996 4,386 7,779
Ciuiser Sion Ae an Soo aoe aced ae see sees ees ooeeecESouases = 3, 780 893 1,326 PIN 8,111
Wi bib IR@@K, QWOac oosgoaksescousseseosdgeuoceesseedsoeses 1B) |lbSeccoonae 275 112 537
Iigln. SNn@e sec oo snogcoddessososoddocsosendcopebecescs | 3,216 1,651 1,392 760 7,019
TRO UIE Snel. s seecsestecassesscdsadeseeedotdocecesccesaltsessage 4,112 1,652 1,890 7,654
Dor Shoalkees-e-45- Sdesa po dse nese sedosceaccosapesocicds 2,480 1,989 770 -4, 838 10, 077
IMGGINS IBOIN pA seoosososes Boe eben Secu cedaateosouseeces §, 325 13, 706 3, 290 2,700 28, 021
Between Fishing Point and Ballards Marsh.........---- 915 0 0 0 915
Bailleiwols Wenn .5 coke wanton ou sdeocoooagsabosdeuueS Werecoelevai3 608 6,303 6,590 13, 501
| i

INO We Skee edenen deabsys Ene eas sneeSenaasecusoad 31,818 86, 050 26, 854 57,038 201, 760

In individuals the small oysters are five or six times as numerous
as the market oysters and in measured quantity they are about
twice as abundant. On the dense areas they bulk about the same as
the market oysters, but as individuals they are two or three times as
many. On the scattered area they much exceed the market
oysters in numbers and are more than double them in measured
quantity. As both of these types of bottom are almost invariably
supplied with cultch in the form of clean shells, it can be safely
assumed that their future is assured under ordinarily fair conditions
and provided the beds are not stripped under infractions of the
culling law.

On the area of very scattering growth the quantity of young in
_ nearly every case materially exceeds that of market oysters. Almost
the sole exception is Nansemond Ridge Rock, where the young and
market oysters are about equal in quantity, the former being de-
cidedly deficient in all places excepting close to the denser areas
below a line between Pig and Barrel points.

Wxcepting Nansemond Ridge Rock the very scattering areas bear
an average of about two and one-half times as many bushels of
young as of old oysters per acre, and there is nearly everywhere a
sufficient abundance of shells to justify the prediction of future
regeneration if man will permit. On Nansemond Ridge the fu-
ture of the very scattering areas, except in a few places, appears
unpromising.

The depleted area is, on the whole, deficient in shells and young
oysters, and if we except one or two spots near Nansemond Light,
the outer end of Ballards Marsh Rock, and several other places
quite close to the productive areas, there is but little probability
that any of the area will become naturally productive.

20201—10——5

64 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

PUBLIC GROUND NO. 1 WARWICK COUNTY, BELOW DEEP CREEK.

This public ground, while continuous in its lines from near New-
port News to above Deepwater Shoals Light, is divided, for purposes
of administration, by a line running from Deep Creek to Days Point.
Below this line the cull law is in force and tonging is practically
confined to taking oysters for the market, while above the line it is
legally permissible to take oysters of all sizes for planting purposes.
The total area of the portion of the bed here discussed is about
5,515 acres. It embraces six well-defined rocks or groups of rocks,
the general condition and area of which are shown in the following
table, which also includes a very small contiguous and overlapping
area at the inshore edge of Kettle Hole Roce known as Public
Ground No. 2 Warwick County:

AREAS OF OystER GRowTH, PuBLiIc GrounD No. 1 Warwick County, BELOW
DrEep CREEK.

Name of oyster rock. Dense. paler Very scat-) nepleted.| Total.
ing. tering.

Acres. | Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres.
68 44 27 226

GS Oa es Bee ad ee ere pa

Blunt Point
White Shoal

Motalvoystemaneay Sciis was a este eee emer a 468 297 489 538 1,792
Totabbarrem bottom. ss Se SSRs Sa eae Oe ee Ore I etree era ee 3,723
Total) Baylor: SUGVe ya so ek ee Ra ee eye a pear Ia net era | arate | kPa ee | ire ee 5,515

As shown above, the barren bottom is equal to about 68 per cent
of the area included within the Baylor lines, while the depleted area,
which is almost uniformly worthless in its present condition, is equal
to about 10 per cent. Assuming, as has been done in the discussion
of the preceding grounds, that the bottom bearing a very scattering
erowth, of little or no present value so far-as its market-oyster con-
tent is concerned, is capable of regeneration under the operation of
natural agencies, the total present or prospective productive bottom
constitutes Ebout 22 per cent of the entire area. The following table
shows the estimated present market-oyster content of the several
rocks and their respective subdivisions according to density ee
erowth:

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 65

CoNTENT oF MARKET OysTEeRS, PuBLIC GrounD No. 1 Warwick County, BELow
DEEP CREEK.

Scatter- |Very scat- Depleted.| Total

Name of rock. Dense. ing. tering.

Bushels. | Bushels. Bushels. Bushels. | Bushels.

LBRO OS NOAM ee coossasccendoose seeds sceueensuoodacas 12,444 | ~ 2,376 1,053 904 16,777
Gh ere ee ee eee ae ee Relate ccptrat cals cta/ Maher inh ON eacaéacaoe AS OP ears ecee ys 1,392
IRGMO ISIS. 55662 s2coso seco ssaccceasssseaconoseRese 27,090 5,412 AR (V4 ocsousecs 37, 164

8, 745 8,378 5, 100 2, 667 24, 890
Blunt Point.. ; 2,576 4,140 10, 125 1, 652 18, 493
AUY/LOUUS STOO RS ae titer hee I es ana eS es DMs) |Issonessene 300 624 6,572

ANNOY a ESS Ni ken UC Oy eR Nee 57,305 20, 306 a | 5, 847 105, 288

The total content is nearly equal to that of the two grounds first
described, but it will be observed that it is differently distributed,
the dense areas bearing about twice the quantity of marketable oys-
ters, the scattering about half as many, the very scattering about
one-third more, and the depleted about three-fourths the quantity.
With the exception of the depleted bottom, the average growth per
acre is In each case somewhat greater than upon the grounds on the
opposite side of the James and in the Nansemond River.

As will be understood from what has gone before, this distribution
of the total content is to the distinct advantage of the oysterman, as
a larger proportion of the oysters may be removed before work on
the beds becomes unremunerative. The estimated available content
of the beds embraced within this part of the public grounds—that 1s,
the probable maximum yield during the present season—is shown in
the following table:

AVAILABLE CONTENT or Market Oystrers, Pustic Grounp No. 1 Warwick
County, BEtow DreEp CREEK.

Scatter- |Very scat- Total

Name of rock. ing. tering.

“Busia Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

| 9, 800 1, 200 250 11, 250
GTA ee Se ee oe cae An SN ARIE AR DL ORS A J ona an Mie heal & | COOH ee Rie erin 600
TESST SHEL OMS Be Bak eh a SOR ea Ne Ale ree ee an | 18,900 2,700 800 22,400
RTO TT] AS NEO Traber pe re LL Meco panes Si 6, 000 4, 200 500 10, 700
SBOUEB HONE EOS AN ees eG MIE EOE ON EE EE ees uns | 2,000. 2,000 2,000 6, 000
RVVAIAT GOs TNO abl iape es ae Ee pepe eS a era ine IU eid) ieee as yar eee yt | AX OOOR Reeves | Sess soe se 4,000

Practically four-fifths of the available oysters are found on the
areas charted as bearing a dense growth, and about two-thirds of the
remainder are on the areas of scattering growth. The bottoms cov-
ered by oysters in very scattering growths are slightly more produc-
tive than the average of the grounds previously described, but there
are comparatively few spots on which a tonger could make a mini-
mum livelihood. It is estimated that on the dense areas as a whole
nearly three-fourths of the total content, on the scattering areas

66 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

about one-half, and on the very scattering areas not over one-sixth
could be removed with profit. The depleted bottoms are worthless
for their present product of market oysters.

The yield per acre of bottom included within the Baylor lines is
considerably greater than on the grounds previously described, the
average being almost 10 bushels, 2 bushels less than the average of
the entire public area of Virginia in 1904, and considerably more than
the average reported by the Census Bureau in 1908. The average
available product of the oyster rocks, excluding all barren bottom
but not that which is depleted, is about 30 bushels per acre. The
average of the dense area is about 88 bushels, of the scattermg area
34 bushels, and of the very scattering growth about 7 bushels per
acre. The rocks in this ground are, on the whole, so far as present
productiveness is concerned, in better condition than those across
the river. The probable future productiveness of the beds, so far as
the present existence of young oysters is concerned, is illustrated
in the following table:

ToTaL CONTENT oF YOUNG OR SEED OystERS, PusLic Grounp No. | Warwick
County, Be~tow DEEP CREEK.

Name of rock. Dense.

|
Seatter- |Very scat- 2
ing. tering, | Depleted) Total.

Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

BLOW NSIS TO alee ete ers sees as ne ey ne ara ep 8, 568 6, 248 2,376 1,130 18, 322
Gani swsscus eee Rib iatig Sey ante ease afte tasepn aetna eal Sal ee erase 992) <i. cote 2,180
Kettlevole se sur: Ja Se bes ase noe ae eine eens eee 81, 786 13, 662 LO SOSOM cea eens 115, 428
THOMAS HP OUTS Sesh ase agen Cena heny rae eke emer 12,768 20, 060 10, 300 10, 160 53, 288
BiG rR oli Gea Ae ase ae eta teers eee eerste eae ese 2,736 13, 317 23, 625 4,956 44, 634
Wahhite: Sh oaleeies sie tee en Morne ime tye a ea eee VA 2S |i see 1, 080 2,756 18, 564

MNO ballics.e ees coro BA irs a Nene sieect) sree 121,774 53, 287 58, 353 19, 002 252, 416

The exhibit here is much more favorable than on the rocks included
n the grounds previously described, the average growth of young
oysters on the dense and very scattering areas being over double that
on the beds across the river, while that on the scattering area is about
oo per cent greater. .

Practically everywhere on the areas of dense and scattered growth
there is a prolific growth of young oysters and an abundance of clean
shells, and there is no present prospect of the failure of these areas to
continue to produce marketable oysters under ordinary conditions and
with a reasonable enforcement of the laws. On the areas of very
scattering growth the conditions are mixed, some places being well
insured against the future and others being decidedly deficient in both
young growth and clean shells. On Browns Shoal Rocks there is, with
the exception of a few places, an abundance of shells; but there are
only two or three patches where there is a supply of small oysters ample
to replace the present market growth. On Kettle Hole Rock the
conditions are good practically everywhere, but on Thomas Point and

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 67

Blunt Point Rocks there are but a few places where the young growth
is prolific, and there are some in which neither young nor shells are
found in even the minimum quantity requisite. On White Shoal
Rock the condition on the areas of very scattering growth is in
general satisfactory.

On the depleted bottoms as a whole the average growth of young
oysters is about equal to that on similar bottom across the river, and
there appears to be but little prospect of the future improvement of
these areas, although there are a few spots on Thomas Point and White
Shoal Rocks, in proximity to productive areas, where the growth of
young is good.

MINOR PUBLIC GROUNDS.

In the Nansemond River and on the right side of James River there
are several small public grounds, all of which are insignificant both in
area and productiveness, and some of which were examined not at all
or unsatisfactorily. They are as follows (somewhat more detailed
data concerning some of them may be found in the descriptions of the
individual rocks):

Nansemond County Ground No. 3. This was intended to include
Holland Rock and at present contains in depleted bottom about 22
acres, on which there are a very few oysters and shells and about 33.9
acres of barren bottom.

Isle of Wight County Ground No. 2 contains about 9 acres of bottom
of various degrees of productiveness, 24 acres of depleted and 16.8
acres of barren bottom. Its general condition is related in the de-
scription of Aaron Shoal Rock, its only natural bed. Isle of Wight
County Ground No. 3 adjoins the preceding and has an area of 64
acres. It was not examined in the present survey. Isle of Wight
County Ground No. 4 lies inshore of the preceding and covers about
3 acres of apparently depleted bottom.

Isle of Wight County Ground No. 5 embraces Creek Channel Shoal
Rock, covering about 2 acres of depleted and 5.1 acres of barren
bottom. Its present condition is described under the name of the
rock.

PUBLIC GROUND NO. 1 WARWICK COUNTY, ABOVE DEEP CREEK.

The lower part of this ground, lying below Deep Creek, is within
the area from which market oysters only can be taken and is there-
fore subject to the operations of the cull law. Its beds have been
discussed in the foregoing. Above Deep Creek and Days Point, on
both sides of the river, the cull law is suspended so far as young
oysters are concerned, and, while shells must be returned to the
beds, there is no limit on the minimum size of oysters which may
be taken, the whole area being set apart for the production of seed
for replanting.

68 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

It is necessary, therefore, in the discussion of the productiveness
of this part of the James River oyster grounds, to adopt a different
standard of productiveness. The whole oyster product of whatever
size is involved in the question of the present value of the beds,
whereas in the areas previously discussed the market oysters only
could be considered, and the quantity of young was of interest merely
as indicating the probability of the beds being maintained or repleted.
In the discussion which follows here the maximum potential yield is
considered as the production in excess of that. which will give the
tonger 4 bushels of oysters per day of tonging, not taking into con-
sideration the time employed in culling out the shells and returning
them to the beds.

This part of Ground No. 1 includes all oyster rocks on the left bank
of the James River, from the mouth of Warwick River to the upper
limit of oyster growth, near Deepwater Shoals Light-House. The
following is a summary of the extent of the several rocks and the
barren bottoms embraced within the Baylor lines:

AREAS OF OysTtER GROWTH, PuBLIC GRouND No. 1 Warwick County, ABOVE
DEEP CREEK.

a. Seatter- |Very scat-|
Name of rock. Dense. ing. tering. Depleted.| Total.
Acres. | Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres.
Fives Tear Ay sr ee een eI ee a oe Be ere 227 198 14 508 947
Wreck Shoal... Bie 586 0 0 0 586
Dry Shoals... io 126 18 9 21 174
Point of Shoals.........-- i ee 254 155 239 142 790
SSIES Tae aap I RL Pa Lae RE aD PA HO 146 (0) 0 115} 26k
Minllbernya Siweas ley oe jerere Means enacts open yay ny Ug 429 34 20 29 505
Mersin yy s0s] arn Se See ee ee pe a ea Hag Nee eA pe 197 322 235 387 1,141
TODS S Oa eS poo ily east Ge one Bie ees Sit eine area 331 10 84 79 504
VERIOC KK Bai aieetaente eee Nr eRe ee AUER St Orn pe 240 0 73 73 386
di KOTO) Cate ePrice SEI EIN ERR CIR UER RS ren Aa Se eA 37 6 0 0 43
TOrSehee Gira eae eee ne ee geste ace ee SN 33 192 139 16 380
DeepwatenShoalsie sry str nunse reste se eee 17 0 21 241 279
MOtAOVSECRIAT CA are mice ers sen aera aap Cay eens a 2,616 935 834 1,611 5, 996
dl Woyne bil of) outsa alr) devs pisces erat gt metre re Mena tes EO SIR NN a GIN Me Ne ere ol a aascul Woceouer es 6, 896.8
TO Gal AV TORS UVC Yeeeah app) | ma 12, 892.8

It will be noticed at once that the proportion of barren bottom to
that actually included in the rocks as determined by the survey is
somewhat smaller than in the grounds previously discussed, consti-
tuting about 53 per cent of the total. The depleted bottom, which,
with practically no exceptions, is at present and potentially valueless,
covers an additional 12 or 13 per cent, so that, assuming all the rest
to be at present productive or capable of becoming so in the future,
the oyster bottom covers about 35 per cent of the whole.

The following table exhibits the estimated total content of the sey-
eral rocks and their subdivisions at the opening of the oyster season
on September 15, 1909:

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 69

ToraL ConTENT or OystERS, Pusiic Grounp No. 1 Warwick County, ABOVE
DEEP CREEK.

as Scatter- |Very scat-
Name of rock. Dense. ing. tering. Depleted.| Total.

: Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
UREN LS Wl og a6 ee a a eS So ec ee 32, 461 21, 582 392 4,064 58, 499
Wreck Shoal.......-.- eS Be Na AA RS TREE ee tie ISAO Sea bbe ocals ae ceesecs| aersceee 185, 176
ID Fea veetsy aVOyey hE el ety se iss acannon 30, 766 2, 232 765 420 34, 183
ROMO S HOAs eee ae ee eee sen ee Ue ees 50, 800 14, 415 10, 038 2,130 77, 383
RU AIS ne eee en ee entre earunirncy Mciey MNE) My Orie oh UDA TAs tara hae mania) en pee ane 1,725 44, 503
MID eEEyASWaSlteserss cyan et tah Melee keys kre gl 127, 444 3, 604 2, 600 1, 247 134, 895
INES RST ata tg) Kea 6 Sn a Eee a Oe 45, 507 41,5388 19,975 6, 966 113, 986
WOTIes SOA eee ae Vere remem se tae pate Ale nee 79,771 640 5,040 1, 264 86, 715
VALU OC Keser en yste se NECLntn) SRN Kea eraser ely Ea EA DARASO! eee eS 6, 182 1,095 61, 707
IN MOORES SOE SEAN a NRE SRS Ee 5 See ie ty Pernt eRe ae ea eke 9, 805 IU Ee ee sere Meoeaseeee 10, 813
OTSehied dete eee aces psn seh Garcink No BA 7,359 19, 968 USGS |ossbsosses 42,895
Deepwater Shoalsizaqns eee esene eee eee eae De Aeeue NORM ee oa 8 1,097 2,892 6, 182

BING Gala See ts ety ak ee ORI aR Clo IMA RA 668,540 | 104, 987 61, 607 21, 803 856, 937

It will be seen that the great preponderance of oyster production
is on the dense areas, which exceed the bottoms of other character
not only in their average productiveness but in their total area. The
bottoms with a scattering growth, which in extent exceed the next
lower grade by about 12 per cent, excel them in their total content
by about 70 per cent, and are sorneidlnortley more important in total
production than the combined areas of very scattering oysters and
depletion. Summarizing, the dense areas bear 78 per cent of the
total content of the rocks, the scattering areas atout 12 per cent, the
very scattering about 7 per cent, and the depleted bottom about 3
per cent. Basing the computation on the basis previously defined
and the data presented in the preceding two tables, we find the esti-
mated maximum available product of the several rocks and their
subdivisions to be as follows:

AVAILABLE CONTENT OF Oysters, Pusiic Grounp No. 1 Warwick County, ABOVE
Derr CREEK.

as 3 Seatter- |Very scat-
Name of rock. | Dense. ing. tering. Total.
| Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

demiliigenaet oust decee waco. BFL Se Ue Re es py er ocen 25, 000 12,000 100 37, 100
WAVES SSI av ogee I Na a ee ei Saeed G0 09( 010) Oe pec weata et ed een Dy oe 160, 000
DIVAS) Gall Rete see renee eran ou pn Wega ennt hanes Paha NAMM eap Menus oS 26, 000 Te SOO meee 27, 300
OM TOL SiO sistas eee yee eye ie BUG SAN eta aah 42, 000 8, 500 1,600 51, 500
SSUES LI ee coy ice eed pao kA ee Rae dont Sd NS RTS BO ee oe en loauecsescc 38, 000
Muley, SN SO Se Re NSCS ate Ee i phe eons eee neem ! 116,000 1, 800 1, 600 118, 800
UVES nian Team Cle pses eee eee imeem eb ta aan ayes peacoat tatty wt Meru duis a tran gh | 30,C00 25, 000 7,500 67, 500
Visroyated (SH aVorew Cay sca yea ey ee ae ley ree i SN A a ol ea ar Ce 68, 009 300 1,500 69, 800
IVIEUO Cepia Pia Se Fe a Ne ISR INE CA ia SUL ROR RE I aa ARH LI Re seat S| ALS OOO: eet ses 2,500 46, 500
IMO OTE S Be ie ier icaclaor spree ESI capa FRy sa Naeic mi Inah y nee, wih OU mane SS Cp OOS Sexe we 500 8, 000
RUOnSe Gay Sashes Ge a Saad EAD RRO pl het GE ae a eL 6, 000 11,000 7,090 24, 000
Deepwater Shoal........ Ee ST SC eigen hat eS Bhs ate Ae a HE COO Ms aan 409 2,000

ED baa eee re Cane ae ree any ars erie Sie ere al te hOhT OO) 59, 900 21, 500 650, 590

710 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER,’ VIRGINIA.

The foregoing may be assumed to be the maximum quantity of
seed oysters that can be profitably taken from the beds during the
present season and the actual yield will probably fall considerably
below the total exhibited in the table. Of the total, the areas of dense
erowth are capable of producing 88 per cent, of scattering growth 9
per cent, and of very scattering growth 3 per cent. The estimated -
yield per acre of bottom included within the boundary lines of this
part of the bed is about 50 bushels. This low average of production
is of course induced by the large area of barren and depigted or prac-
tically barren bottom included in the Baylor lines. If we compare
the average of the whole area with that of the best bottom in the
natural rocks under discussion the paucity of the former is equally
impressive, the dense areas of the region under discussion having an
average total content of about 256 bushels per acre and a promised
yield during the present season of 213 bushels, over four times the
average of the beds as a whole. The average available product of the
areas of scattering growth is about 64 bushels per acre, and of very
scattering growth about 13 bushels, both yields being far below what
they should produce under proper ponds:

Upon the dense areas as a whole the present production and the
promise for the future are both good, and on the area of scattering
growth, while the present production is fair, the quantity of shells is
such as to promise a better yield in the future, should there come a
season of heavy and general strike.

On the bottoms rated as bearing a very scattering growth the con-
ditions as a whole are not such as to yield much profit to the tonger,
though in some places he could make a living wage for a short period.
In most places on bottom of this character the quantity of clean
shells is such as to give indifferent prospect of the future regeneration
of the beds.

The depleted bottom, excepting in a few places near Deepwater
Shoals Light-House, bears shells in such small quantities as to make
mowdibels remote the probability of any waren improvement
under natural conditions:

PUBLIC GROUND NO. |] ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY.

This ground extends as a narrow strip along the right bank of
James River from close to the shore line out to the main channel,
between Rock Wharf and Days Point Shoal. It lies wholly within
the area set apart for seed production, and the statements in regard
to the methods employed in computing the productiveness of the
several parts of the preceding ground are applicable to this as well.

Compared with the extensive areas occupied by the rocks across
the river in Warwick County, the beds included in this ground are

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 71

insignificant. For the purposes of this report it is considered to
include four natural rocks, although the largest of these, for which
no name was obtained from the oystermen, may be locally recog-
nized by names for its constituents severally. The general condi-
tion and extent of the bed are shown in the following table:

AREAS OF OysTER GRowTH, PuBLiIc GrounpD No. | Iste or WieHtT County.

- Vi cat-
Name of oyster rock. Dense. ee M meee Depleted.| Total.
Acres. | Acres. Acres. Acres. | Acres.
TR@oMs, Wa aneeyert FS Kapa hse es ose Ee eer re oe ae | 18 0 0 8 26
Between Rock Wharf and Spindle Rock..-....--...--- | 45 0 5 37 87
SSN UIT CL CBee Neen eres eee seems eo eae eee se 14 0 3 2 19
Day SPROMGS Oa tee eee amen nee ea eee een eee a] 0 0 0 4
Mortal oystemaneass 24a seise te ee ee ans 81 0) 8 47 136
BRO Lalebannenyvanea nya cp es en seme Names ee ereiyaele aoe etree ete oll ainiai-DYotatc leseceoauos jpseocsocod|oseasadase 589
MotalpBaylorisunveya ees yas oes ee soca eae ose ledietistisrns Ween neers lpbaSoedece 725
|

The area of barren bottom as compared with the extent of the
eround is relatively large, constituting about 81 per cent, and the
depleted bottom, which is at present worthless and holds forth no
promise of improvement, adds an additional 7 per cent to the wholly
unproductive bottom. The area of dense growth, which is undoubt-
edly productive, covers about 11 per cent of the whole, while the
bottom bearing very scattered oysters, which is at present prac-
tically incapable of yielding a living wage to the tonger, covers about
i per cent.

The following table shows the estimated total content of oysters
on the rocks at the end of August, 1909:

Toran ContTENT or Oysters, Pusiic Grounp No. | Is~teE or Wiaut County.

Scatter- |Very scat-| nenteted.|

Name of rock. Dense. ing. tering.

Total.

Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
2,52

ROCs Haniis hoa ssa epee eases ees ea LO Tea eres seat Pag eee esa 88 2, 608
Between Rock Wharf Shoals and Spindle Rocks...-- Qa) eee ecceses 230 666 7,196
Sjoacllasete ease eee sssbeces see aBaa se ehoboue ae esere POGOe See 81 24 2,065
Day smeoint Shoalteeasceccse se eeee enone neon GGA SPS rN | ert RSS (er ee 664

"HIN GHTez WME se ia EN SY Ns Oy wal a ee ata an a eRe ba Wg VO Pa eee 311 778 12,533

The total content of the ground as a whole averages about 17
bushels per acre. Practically all of this is borne by the small frac-
tion of the bottom classed as dense, on which the average produc-
tion is at the rate of about 141 bushels per acre, considerably less
than on the areas of dense growth on the great beds across the
channel.

72 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

The estimated available content on these beds—that is, the quan-
tity which may be removed before tonging will cease to pay even a
very small assumed minimum livelihood—is as follows:

AVAILABLE CONTENT OF OystTERS,. PuBLIC GrouND No. 1 IsLze or Wieutr County.

Scatter- | Very scat- Total.

Name of rock. Dense. ing. tering.

: Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
ROCK: WiharhiShoalls\ i Age Stee ayers MP ask pees Os a ZAOOON es senele se oe 2,000

Between Rock Wharf Shoals and Spindle Rock......-.......- Fe OOO | aaa 50 5,050
Spindles sg Lys re Sa Nate re evita ere arc rele ayant oval a eRe eco 15 OO eee eee ce 20 1,520
Day SwP OMG S27 5,95 Siavzvan apse te Syren = payee as eter ace ae eran ta saree G0) |seokessascllasosscosa+ 500

Moy ita) (Picea eC at Ase y UI MONE NEN A RR ON el 9' OOOH ES aseeaaere 70 9,070

Practically all of the available supply of oysters on this ground
is therefore on the bottom classed as dense and the area of very
scattering growth is negligible. The available product is of the
average density of 111 bushels per acre. On the dense area the
shells are sufficient, on the very scattering area they are in fair quan-
tity, while on the depleted ground they are deficient.

SUMMARY.

The public grounds in the region covered by the survey and of which
a detailed discussion is found in the preceding pages cover an area
of 26,408.4 acres as computed in the report of the Baylor survey.
Of this acreage, 12,790.6 acres lie below the line drawn between
Deep Creek and Days Point and 13,617.8 acres lie above that line.
The beds of the former region are available for the production of
marketable oysters only, the law requiring that all oysters under 3
inches long be returned to the beds, while the latter region is set
apart for the production of seed oysters, and the cull law is not appli-
cable except in so far as it forbids the removal of shells.

Of the entire area the recent survey shows that 3,227 acres may be
classed as bearing a dense growth, 2,078 as scattering, 1,848 as very
scattering, 3,884 as depleted, and 15,371.4 as barren. The barren
and depleted bottoms together comprise 19,255.4 acres, or about 73
per cent of the total, and all bottom which can be construed as pro-
ductive aggregates 7,153 acres, or 27 per cent of the entire bottom
included within the Baylor lines. Owing to the difference in the pro-
visions of the law applicable to the two regions and the resultant.
difference in the character of their product, it is necessary to present
separate summaries of their present condition.

MARKET OYSTER AREA.
The beds of this region are shown on chart 1 accompanying this

report, to which, and to the preceding pages, readers are referred

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 73

for detailed data. The following table summarizes the extent and
character of the bottom included within the Baylor lines:

SUMMARIZED STATEMENT OF MARKET OystER AREAS ON PUBLIC GROUNDS.

Name of ground. : Dense. even eee Depleted | Barren. | Total.
Acres Acres. Acres. Acres Acres Acres
INamsemondtNon 2yssn seer ec ercee sees ea)
MEGANE Tee ee \ 256 646 514| 1,640] 4,106.8| 7,162.8
NGIASACMO NG! INO> Prcacsccsasssseessneeoedescs 0 0 0 22 33.9 55.9
NsleroiewWachityNon2cas esses ce eee 2(?) 4 3 24 16.8 49.8
TINS OP VA HELO INI OSs a Sys ENR eg etea EN neal OUI pees a Sod [burke coral ck A Ree | Se eee Sa
ESTEVOROVVA BENE PIN (OSA toe Gf e SIE Se Re TSS RRS er TC ed IN cabs Saas a apse eoaieiae |Site wie eal nie op eee
TSE OH WAT Min IN os GY eG eaee seas soeeuew see 0 0 0 2 6.1 Tell
Warwick No. 1 and No. 2 (below Deep
(Chai) se eG Sanne eM panes od MAES ence 468 297 489 538 | 3,723.0 5,515.0
HIN Ge eye ees Spe eet eH sa ees abt Me NT 726 947 1,006 2,226 | 7,885.6 | 12,790.6
IReriGen Grd see cust cee ec seine seo Sees 5.7 7.4 7.9 17.4 6 100.0

It is estimated that the bottoms embraced by the several grounds,
classified in accordance with their relative productiveness, have a
total content of market oysters as follows:

SUMMARIZED CONTENT OF MARKET OYSTERS ON PUBLIC GROUNDS.

Scatter- | Very scat-
Name of ground. Dense. ing. tering. Depleted | Total.

Bushels.| Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. |} Bushels.

INGVNEPUNOIIC! IND; Maas eoseabaakendsoneade sesenesseceses Nl. = fs a 3

IBIGVORNVIGIE NOONE oe atROL Com ai p28, 468 39, 087 17, 855 21,052 106, 462
INGRRGMTIO MCL INO, Bs sausGseescesestdkeweousumasouedaeeas Jere eis teal evercrasesaya sell means tees cat 330 330
USTeFOLeWa eh GN OM o SA ee lecete aea a ee gy ue ya mre 200 132 69 132 533

SLUGSU KEY OEE NY SEESTRN CIN ICGYS SCS ss Si eI NI a BE Pa a ee 22 22
Warwick No. 1 and No. 2 (below Deep Creek)......-- 57, 355 20, 306 21,780 5, 847 105, 288

MotalemanketoySversseae see sa eee see eee ae 86, 023 59, 525 39, 704 27, 383 212, 635
LNVGTERGS [Oe EXOT so ede cosu sans BacHeEl bose wassosesoars 118 63 39 LOB eerste

JEXC ORIOLE CO OUD ee Ue A ao ee a 40.3 28.0 18.7 | 13.0 100

This table is more or less misleading, as the real factor involved is
the quantity of oysters which can be profitably removed from the
beds. It must be obvious that the total quantity lying on the bottom
can not be regarded as commercially available, for when the density
of growth is reduced below a more or less definite minimum the value
of the average catch will fall below a minimum living wage and work
will cease. The minimum average quantity per unit of bottom which
will suffice to support commercial operations will depend upon the
price of oysters and the depth of water. In this report the price is
placed at 45 cents per bushel, and although it will vary somewhat on
the different beds and at different times, it is not practicable to make
distinctions. The price adopted is based on the testimony of a num-
ber of oystermen as to their returns in recent years. The depth of
water is a highly variable factor, and as it is of prime importance in

74 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

computing the availability of the oysters lymg on the bottom, its
variations have been given the fullest possible consideration. For a
discussion of the general principles on which the quantity of oysters
available with profit have been determined, the reader is referred to
oreceding pages. For the market oyster beds as a whole the following
table gives a summary:

SuMMARY oF AVAILABLE CONTENT OF MARKET OYSTERS ON PUBLIC GROUNDS.

Scatter- | Very scat- Total.

Name of ground. Dense. ing, tering.

; Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
oe or Wight No. 6.1.00 002) Me fal 2 nO) 20) 2s ee
INA MSE OTT INOS ae ea er Pa ae ets ane 2 ER |Sdoeconene||Ssaosdosscloesecees5-|ooscs220+
Tse; Of WASTE INO: 2 Gea EEE Ce NTS Wan Sere Set Ss | 150 Sb Ee Sete eres 200
Tslecof WiehtNOn85 2202 US ee Ue See hae a Te See 8 ope aera tal oreiatoe eral | See eee |
Tslecof Wight NO.4e 2052 SO SOs ee es RR A ieee A aera ern eee ret cae ee
Tsle Of WHS GANIOs Oe re ae ett eel es of neta ea ee

Warwick No. 1 and No. 2 (below Deep Creek) een ane eee Ip wee OL {0,0) 10, 100 3,550 54, 950

MopaliavaillablemmarkeOySUers =n seer e ese ee sae ees eee 62, 600 30, 475 5, 150 98, 225
JAWVETIAR CHD CTIA CHE Lets cert eines oe woe ae arene ye ee ed eae es 86 32 Deena as
PROT: CONIA. SSBB i ee ia cay eR Ne Sete re pee A 63.7 31.0 5.3 100. 0

This may be regarded as a maximum estimate of the probable
yield of the beds during the season of 1909-10. Owing to the low
basis adopted as a minimum wage the yield may not reach the quan-
tity indicated, as it is doubtful whether the beds can be profitably
fished as closely as has been assumed. A yield of $1.35 per full day
of tonging will leave a very small balance after culling and other
expenses are deducted, and the beds undoubtedly will be abandoned
for the season before this degree of depletion has been reached. For
this reason the only parts of the natural rock which can be classed as
really productive are those designated as dense and scattering, which
furnish, according to the foregoing estimates, about 95 per cent of the

vailable product while constituting only about 13 per cent of the
total area of the public grounds under consideration.

Taken as a whole, though there are exceptions noted in the pre-
ceding accounts of the individual rocks, the areas covered with very
scattering growths are of but little present value, their total esti-
mated available product during the present season being valued at
less than $2,500, or about $2.50 per acre. There is, however, another
phase to the question which has been touched on in the more de-
tailed accounts of the individual rocks. This is the possibility of
future improvement, and is dependent upon the existing quantity
of young oysters and the presence of an ample supply of clean shells
to serve as places of attachment for future generations of young.
The quantity of young oysters less than 3 inches long on the public
erounds under discussion at the opening of the present oyster season
was as follows:

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 75

SUMMARIZED CONTENT OF YOUNG OYSTERS ON PUBLIC GROUNDS.

+

Seatter- |Very scat-| r
Name of ground. Dense. ing. tering. Depleted.| Total.

Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

INansemondeNon gases sacar eer ee eae meen oe 7

TNOMMTELDNDNGiG ome nae es \ 31,818 | 86,050 | 26,854 | 57,038 | 201, 760
INANSCTITOM GENO ee sea ee eerste seca he ce te lars 780 28 NIP eee ee | rele iI ake el 50 50
ISlevon Wish NOs 2s see chet es eae eee 250 HOO RAA Me or See 2, 500 3, 250

LSS OEMANEINGS Bos Ss leo hasan ho ate Se re a ele el beelente rare cy (cesar rete sf See Rear lee erect era pam et
HSS CHOWAN INO ee Ce Sa OSs bea RS ene aa eee Cacia Cab ee aaie HERR OSEeen ISAS Se oaats | Snaeoaoeee Se see eae
IGS OTN WIT INOS Oa 6 ces de Gabe Ca BR ee eee na On CO SeRIe Ieee se SECS meee by SRO ey eras| [areola lair a eerste
ISTCYO TVA SIILBNON One reece ce ctia se noes os ae a eect aye | oeee ea |e ees oe i EPO eal ees oe ee

Warwick No. 1 and No. 2 (below Deep Creek).-....-- 121, 774 53, 287 58, 353, 19, 002 252, 416

PRO Gallente Vm eee ac ey poe RIC haa 153, 842 | 139, 837 85, 207 78, 590 457, 476
PAN CLAS CRD CIACTOs ame a aise rena eee yates ie raises 212 148 84 SOMES See ner
RECOM Uae eee Seems Seema os PS ret Mere eiaerers a= 33. 7 30. 6 18.6 17.1 100.0

Here again is evidence that the areas of dense and scattering
erowth should be regarded as not only at present but prospectively
productive beds. In quantity, and to a greater extent numerically,
the young are considerably in excess of the market oysters, and, as in
both classes of bottom under consideration the latter are sufficient to
render the bottom undoubtedly at present productive, the abun-
dance of young is sufficient to continue productiveness, under proper
regulations as to culling, for at least two years. After the lapse of
that period the condition will depend upon the extent of the strike,
and other factors concerning which nothing can be predicted.

So far as the areas covered with a very scattering growth are
concerned closer scrutiny is required. As these bottoms are on the
verge of depletion in respect to market oysters, the proportion of
young to large oysters should be greater to insure that the conditions
will improve in the future.

The writer is not in possession of definite experimental data appli-
cable specifically to the James River, but from a knowledge of con-
ditions in other parts of the Chesapeake region he feels justified in
assuming that oysters as an average will become fit for market in
from two to three years from the time of fixation or setting. If
experience elsewhere be a guide, some oysters will grow more rapidly
and some less rapidly; but two years may be adopted, with very
little question, as an irreducible minimum for the average age at
which they can be advantageously put on the market. On this
assumption and neglecting, for the time being, the question of mor-
tality, it is at once apparent that to maintain the present status
there must be two small oysters for each market oyster killed or
caught.

There is no way to determine, without long and painstaking obser-
vations, the actual average mortality at various ages on the natural
rocks of James River. The experience of planters of seed oysters is
valueless in this connection, being based on oysters handled and

76 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

otherwise subjected to abnormal conditions. The various locations
of the natural-bed oysters and the consequently variable conditions
to which they are exposed introduce a factor for which it is difficult
to make allowances, and it seems impossible to do more than hazard
a guess as to the proportion of young oysters now on the beds which
will die before becoming marketable. It is probable that it will be
somewhere between 25 and 50 per cent. Considering the size of
young oysters found by the survey, the mortality may be less than
the former and excepting under unfavorable conditions can hardly
be greater than the latter. Assuming that 25 per cent of the young
now on the beds will die before reaching a marketable size, there
should be on the beds, in order to maintain their present condition,
2.66 young for each marketable oyster removed. If the loss be
assumed at 50 per cent there should be 4 young per market oyster.

The following table exhibits the actual average numerical propor-
tion of young oysters to marketable found on the several beds:

NUMERICAL PROPORTION OF YOUNG GROWTH AND MARKET OYSTERS IN THE MARKET-
OysteR AREA ON Bortroms BEARING VERY SCATTERING GROWTH.

Custer Oysiets
ess than | between
Name of rock. ‘Laven Land 3 Total.
long. - inches.
INST OTA ART Che i a po a OES LN eS any TRS ep 0. 42 1.82 2.24
DME Soa ee eee ee eee Bsiesie etary Reo Non Sige aia al eae eS LONI A Ne a . 62 3.29 3.91
INE WIDOTESNIGWiSiciS ces Soest esis ERTS crs apo i as a aly Rea Se 50 Death 5.77
@ruUiSer: Slvo ae eee eae ee ae SAN sed eae pe kar Se Sa NE a 255 3.83 4.38
ATER OCIS HOT CEES eee SLY Ne URSIN. LA Oa ee roe a i LC CIE - 69 2.58 BE
PRT SAS Haas eS aS ees a a toa gt LS AE a a Hosa See Ck 1.81 2. 47 4,28
SRO WEIS TO al trsc7 gS RSE emo be aa Car ents DN 2a ne oahu ly to) 6.81 |}. 7.36
dD Xayeats a oye) Hak Rise esses Bees ne aaa a eta SRS a eee ean CI ES Le AU Sha Oe Sez 1.13 1. 40
IN GONE IPOs scosssoosscoccse eye NE CRIS Ak ete) ERI R IL eet Saris oe ar ib ali 1.94 3.05
Between Fishing Point and Ballards Marsh........................------- . 06 . 00 . 06
NB allied SeMiairs livres 0s hice ot ate ce gas Spee aae dessa ete ay aig ie aude ep 3.50 11. 40 14. 90
MAT ATO TAGS Tn@ eal aes aS ae el = a ce ay Se ines cept eae Gee py a ean 66 8.00 8. 66
BOWS ST Oars eee ee een ara aS op eg ar tee BL (ut aa vee ea .80 4.00 4.80
(OTD fa Yet a es mim ot a tere a) ne gs le mg A) Pie oN baRe Daa aed ies La ON Se ade .19 4.28 4.47
EO BEL CHES 0 ti @ TIN ee Re Ean Ge a Wr a Rs Ae a Da 63 8. 27 8. 90
UNsVopaabeys\il 2xon pal Rass tes ue ges cee SiC Sa ARIE Se Cero a kee Sa eee oil 4.06 4.27
d BANG oN Et Sto) Lal seer Dus nha An Mee pay hte liar cero uO Dre en Gen EO SOD 4.56 4,91
Webi Ge Sn ene ce neg ee pte Cet UR RG ae DC see en IU Nae ts ce . 87 5.36 6. 23
AMVOT ARE LSS eH ND cer eG KN SRENS US oh aN aces 21a AG sia cane ey aiae ee .76 4.39 5.15

It will be observed that, on the assumption of the smaller death
rate, Nansemond Ridge, Dog Shoal, and the small beds near Ballards
Marsh are the only rocks which appear to lack sufficient young
growth on the very scattering areas to maintain them in their present
condition. Assuming the higher rate of mortality, Drum Shoal, the
small bed near Flat Rock, and Fishing Point Rocks must be added to
the list, though when we consider that many of the market oysters
now on the bottom can not be taken with profit, it would appear
that even these rocks are capable of improving under a rigid observ-
ance of the cull law. The other rocks, under either assumption
as to mortality, probably bear a sufficient number of young to

es

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

maintain their present condition or to cause slight improvement in
their productiveness, and the real question at issue largely resolves
itself into a matter of their present productiveness, which has been
already discussed. Most of these bottoms are sufficiently clothed
with shells to insure their share of a good strike. The depleted areas,
excepting in the places specifically mentioned in the descriptions of
the individual rocks, may be regarded as hopeless of recuperation
under natural conditions.

The barren bottoms, which preceding tables show to constitute a
very large proportion of the areas of the public beds, are in many
cases so situated as to be of necessity and for practical considerations
impossible of separation from the natural beds without injury to the
future of the latter or without due regard to the question of policing
and administration. There are, however, certain large areas readily
separable from the public grounds, and the latter would suffer prac-
tically no diminution in really productive bottom as a result of the
severance.

SEED-OYSTER AREA.

This region lies above the line drawn between Deep Creek and
Days Point, and is shown on chart 2 accompanying this report. The
following table summarizes the extent and condition of the bottoms
of different degrees of productiveness included within this part of the
Baylor survey:

SUMMARIZED STATEMENT OF OYSTER GROWTH ON SEED AREAS.

Name of ground. Dense. ee eee Depleted.| Barren. | Total.

Acres. | Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres.
Warwick No. 1 (above Deep Creek)......... 2, 420 1130 834 1,611 | 6,896.8} 12,892.8
HslejofevwWalehtuNio esse tie se tee sae tececlin cee 81 0 8 47 589. 0 725.0
MR ofal eee’ Ga ete een Mena ect alas 2,501 1,131 842 1,658 | 7,485.8 | 13,617.8
POT CN Gas aie ninice sine Geese isis iste ctectescinew 18.4 8.3 6.2 12.2 54.9 100.0

The following table furnishes an estimate of the total content of
seed oysters present on the bottoms of varying productiveness at the
beginning of the oyster season on September 15, 1909:

SUMMARIZED CONTENT OF OYSTERS ON SEED AREAS.

Scatter- |Very scat-
Name of ground. Dense. ing. tering. Depleted.| Total.
Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
Warwick No. 1 (above Deep Creek)..............--- 668,540 | 104,987 61, 607 21,803 856, 937
WSIS ON ANTE INOS Me coed sesbeosceeacsseasasasensuaons J A Ad ere ease ee 311 778 12,533
PANSY ES NSS Ua A ey ie i ured agiedege More BC 679, 984 104, 987 61,918 22, 581 869, 470
AV CTAZCHDERIACTO pee ne ns Ge sine aid creme Lianne Starve aun 272 93 73 TSH ee ewes
FRET CON Gee erie spas nei lc mele en IN a 78. 2 11271 7.1 2.6 100.0

78 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

A considerable proportion of these oysters could not be profitably
removed from the beds, being either too sparsely distributed in the
first place or constituting a necessary remnant which would become
too scattered after tonging had been carried on for a period on bot-
toms of greater initial productiveness. To show the estimated
maximum possible yield of the beds during the present season the
following table has been prepared, covering the entire area of seed
beds in the James River: ;

SuMMARY OF AVAILABLE CONTENT OF OYSTERS ON SEED AREAS.

Seatter- |Very scat- Total

Name of ground. Dense. ing. tering.

Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.

WianwickeNomia@boverDeepi Creeks) ease see ae ae 569, 100 59, 900 21,500 650, 500
Isle:of, Wight Nos W725. Soe Sa see een i nis aoe eee OULD: eisgaecnc- 70 9,070

ANC) h) he Rene eS RI Ma ae ey en URNS ONE Bea ce 578, 100 59, 900 21,570 659, 570
JAbverage er acres 2a) 2 Secession te oes alate ete Sale 232 - 53 201 Seca ae
IPGiraalig sap es eadoenunnocseaneneacmmonaoscace vaseemeesoscesacs 87.7 9.1 3.2 100.0

In preparing the data on which this table is based it has been as-
sumed that the seed will bring 30 cents per bushel and that no bottom
can be considered productive when its yield is reduced below 4 bushels
per day of actual tonging, excluding the time occupied im culling.
As in the preceding pages of this report, the probable yield is based
on the density of the oyster growth and the depth of water on the
several parts of each bed.

Although the data employed differs somewhat from that used in
the discussion of the bottoms below Deep Creek, owing to the lower
price brought by seed as compared with market oysters, the financial
return to the tonger from the bottoms designated as respectively
dense, scattering, and very scattering is essentially the same. The
minimum yield assumed to place a given area above the grade of
depleted bottom is valued at $1.20. per day at. the prices recently pre-
vailing, and this can not be regarded as other than an extreme mini-
mum, because, when the number of idle days is taken into considera-
tion, a tonger could not afford to work for such low wages. The
limit is justifiable only in consideration of the fact that before the
dense and scattering areas are reduced to a level so low they will have
yielded to the tonger an average daily wage much in excess of this.

If the price of oysters falls below 30 cents per bushel, it will not be
profitable to work the beds so closely as was contemplated in the
preparation of the above table. At the prices reported as current
on the James River in November, 1909, namely, 20 cents per bushel
for seed, the estimated catch on the area of very scattering growth
may be eliminated, that on the scattering bottom reduced by at least
50 per cent and on the dense areas by about 15 per cent, lowering the

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 719

total estimated catch to about 500,000 bushels as a maximum which
could be taken with profit.

As was the case with the market-oyster beds, ane areas described
as bearing dense and scattering growths may be dheaniesed from further
discussion as being at present productive. The areas bearing a very
scattering growth are debatable, with seed oysters selling at 30 cents
per bushel, but would be undoubtedly entirely neglected by the
tongers were the price to fall to 20 cents. Their estimated yield at
the former price is about $7.50 per acre, and from the entire area of
842 acres the total product during the present season would not ex-
ceed in value $6,500, even if the tongers were willing to work for an
average of about $1 per day, exclusive of the time lost through bad
weather.

The future of these areas of very scattering growth is difficult
to forecast. When, as in the area under discussion, there is not
and from the nature of the case should not be any application of
the cull law, there is no young growth which can be pointed to as
coming forward to replace the larger oysters removed. Young
and old alike are taken and the only oysters left are the residuum
which it is unprofitable to take. In other words, the annual increment
is taken or may be taken in the months immediately following its
deposit. The health and perpetuity of the beds depend upon the
quantity of clean shells exposed on the bottom ready for the strike
which each season may produce. Over the very scattering bottoms
of this part of James River there is a fair quantity of shells and under
the proper conditions these areas may become more productive.

The depleted bottoms, as a whole, have neither present nor pro-
spective value under natural conditions, though the bottom is generally
of such character that if it were feasible to rent it for purposes of

oyster culture it could be made highly productive. Much of it is
so situated, however, that it is debatable whether, for reasons of
administration, it would be advisable to alienate it from the public
grounds. An inspection of the charts will show that, excepting
along the shores, these bottoms are generally in the midst of produc-
tive areas. Concerning the great area of barren bottoms the same
statement holds true in part, a considerable proportion of it lying
in the channels and deeper holes between the beds or in other situa-
tions which would make it difficult to delimit it from the public
grounds in a manner to facilitate the policing of the public rocks
and prevent abuses which experience shows would undoubtedly be
attempted.

There are, however, certain areas in considerable blocks which
could be set apart for purposes of oyster culture without materially
reducing the area of the natural rocks included in the public grounds.
These places can be determined by an inspection of the chart.

20201—10——_6

80 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

CONCLUSION.

The foregoing gives, in detail and summary, the facts as to the con-
dition of the oyster beds of James and Nansemond rivers immedi-
ately prior to the opening of the present oyster season, the period
at which the beds are at their maximum apparent productiveness.
Within a few weeks, under the intensive fishery which they sustain,
the quantity of oysters on the beds will be vastly reduced and long
before the close of the season they will become so impaired that work
on them will be practically abandoned for the time being. In other
words, it is for a part of the season only that these beds will offer a
livelihood to the tongers, who for the rest of the year must seek a
living either in the employ of the oyster grower or in some other
occupation not connected with oyster fishing.

In the determination of the nature of tidal bottoms, with respect
to their being regarded as oyster rock or barren bottom, the prime
consideration is whether they will afford, either at present or pro-
spectively, a sufficient quantity of oysters to provide a livelihood to
those who work on them. It is manifest that a few oysters which
could never be taken with profit should not entitle the bottom on
which they lie to be regarded as an oyster bed within the meaning
of the laws. To so regard them would be contrary to common sense,
economic principles, and judicial decisions.

The author has avoided a definition of what constitutes a liveli-
hood, believing that to be a matter which is more properly for deter-
mination by the state authorities should its definition become
necessary for purposes of legislation or administration. In the
preparation of the foregoing report, however, it has been necessary
to adopt some standard for the classification of the various densities
of oyster growth in the several beds, and for purposes of convenience
the limit between the bottoms regarded as depleted and those of the
lowest class of productiveness has been placed at a minimum believed
to be reasonably irreducible. The subdivisions of productiveness
differ by such small quantities that should it appear that the lowest
is too low the next higher can be regarded as the minimum without
impairing the value of the data adduced in the report, though, as is
elsewhere indicated, this would dictate a reduction in the estimated
total available product of oysters for the season.

Under the terms of the resolution of the State Board of Fisheries,
which was made the basis of the request for the survey preferred to —
the Bureau of Fisheries by the Governor of Virginia, the author is
not warranted in offering recommendations as to the use which
might be made of the facts developed in the preceding pages. It may
not be inappropriate, however, to point out the several avenues of
procedure which it is possible to follow in respect to the oyster

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 81

bottoms of the region discussed. These resolve themselves into
three: (1) The maintenance of the integrity of the public grounds
as now constituted; (2) their abolition in toto; and (3) a middle
course which will preserve to the public the productive bottoms
practically in their entirety while throwing open to oyster planting
a large part of the barren and unproductive bottom now included
within the public grounds. The principal arguments for and against
these propositions may be epitomized as follows:

1. The first course—that the beds be retained in the present status—
hardly needs discussion. It has been tried and its results are known,
largely as the effect of the acrimonious disputes to which it has given
rise. The matters of fact which have been at issue in these inter-
minable discussions, as to whether or not the public grounds embraced
any considerable area of barren bottom, have been dealt with in the
preceding pages and speak for themselves. It should be pointed
out, however, that while the barren area is shown to constitute a
considerable proportion of the whole bottom, much of it is so related
to the productive bottom that it could not be eliminated under any
scheme permitting of practical administration.

_ 2. The second alternative—the total abolition of the public grounds

and its corollary, the opening of the whole area for leasing—is drastic.
On broad economic grounds the proposition is as logical and legiti-
mate as the sale of public timber land or the breaking up of the
great public ranges of the West into holdings in severalty, and, as
the oyster is sessile, it has nothing in common with an alienation of
the common fishery for nomadic species. The law has already
recognized that under conditions an oyster in situ may be property,
while a wandering fish can not become such until caught. The
breaking up of the public grounds into leaseholds under private
control would increase their productiveness precisely as the breaking
up of the common ranges of the West has resulted in economic effi-
ciency and greater productiveness.. This course would, furthermore,
yield a return to the State, where there is now a net outlay for
policing the public grounds, though this aspect of the-matter is one
which should always be held subservient to the major consideration—
the welfare and prosperity of the citizen.

On the other side of the question it is necessary to consider the
effect of so drastic an innovation upon the welfare of a large body
of persons-whose livelihood in part is at present dependent upon
the situation to which the policy of the State has given the aspect
of presumed permanency. Immediately upon the alienation of the
public beds the men engaged on them for part of the season are,
for the time being, forced from the category of independent workers
_into that of employees, unless they themselves elect to take up

82 OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA.

bottoms in severalty. The value of this objection is mainly senti- -
mental, but is not less real on that account.

3. The third course mentioned, the retention of the actually pro-
ductive bottom for the use of the public and the opening of all barren
bottom practicable for leasehold from the State, is essentially a
compromise between the other two and presents fewer difficulties
than either. The valid objections to it are mainly concerned with
administration. By retaining the present natural beds intact the
tongers would be left in possession of everything of value to which
they now have access, while the opening of the barren bottoms for
lease would make productive considerable acres now valueless to all.
The tongers would still have the option of independent work on the
natural rocks; they would have increased opportunities of employ-
ment by the planters; and some of them could themselves lease
bottoms for their own use. In every way it would appear to be
economically advantageous to the industry and the State.

In considering the subject, however, it should be borne in mind
that, while this report shows a preponderance of barren bottom
within the public grounds, much of it, owing to its location, is prac-
tically incapable of separation from the natural rocks. An inspec-
tion of the chart will show that many of’the barren bottoms are
between or in the midst of naturally productive bottoms. To
exclude them would make necessary an undue multiplication of the
public grounds, with an attendant difficulty in policing.

Effectually to prevent depredations on the natural rocks under
the guise of work on adjoining planted grounds, which is a diffi-
culty with which the oyster police will have to contend, the public
areas should be as few and as compact as possible, and the boundary
lines should be straight and easily defined. For this reason the
public grounds to be established must, for very practical considera-
tions, necessarily include a considerable proportion of barren bottom.
Any readjustment of the lines of the Baylor survey should be based
on reasonable compromise and adopted only after careful considera-
tion by the State. It is believed that the foregoing descriptions and
the accompanying charts will furnish a reliable basis for a revision,
should the State deem it wise to undertake it.

OYSTER BEDS OF JAMES RIVER, VIRGINIA. 83

DESCRIPTION OF CHARTS.

The public grounds are platted from the published sheets of the Baylor survey, and
their boundaries are shown in broken black lines.

The depths, which are expressed in feet as referred to mean low water and the
symbols designating the consistency of the bottom, are the characteristics selected
from a large number of observations. The oyster beds are included within solid red
lines, and the density of the oyster growth is indicated by the relative intensity of
the shading, and is based on the quantity of culled oysters which can be taken by a
tonger working nine hours per day, not including the time occupied in culling.

Chart 1 covers the area from which market oysters only may be removed, and the
bases of the classifications of oyster growth are as follows: Dense, yielding over 8
bushels of market oysters per day’s tonging; scattering, between 5 and 8 bushels;
very scattering, between 3 and 5 bushels; depleted, under 3 bushels.

Chart 2 embraces the beds of the upper part of James River, on which the cull law
is inoperative so far as it pertains to the size of the oysters, and which are therefore
devoted to the production of seed oysters for replanting. The classification is as
follows: Dense, yielding over 12 bushels of seed oysters per day’s tonging; scattering,
between 8 and 12 bushels; very scattering, between 4 and 8 bushels; depleted, under
4 bushels.

The unshaded areas within the boundaries of the public beds as charted represent
barren bottom.

O

U.S.B.F.=Doc.729

Boundaries of PublicBeds shown in hropen black lines

Natural Oyster Beds, shown ih red:
Area of dense growth of market oysters

Yn » scattered y a» »
” n very scattered ” oy
» » depleted ee
2 Stalions at which densegrowths Young oven
<< Soundings:
NS on \ | Depth at mean low water trpressed in fect
SO \ J ;
eN eae / va Bottom symbols: h; for hard: 8, for sort.
SS ~ Fe

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a8 BUREAU OF FISHERIES 26,
Survey of
THE PUBLIC OYSTER BEDS
JAMES RIVER VIRGINIA

By Fisheries Str. FISH HAWK, Chf. Bogn W.Martin, U.S.N., Comdg

Under the direction of

aes

Barrel Point

HF.Moore, Assistant, Bureau of Fisheries

Adain

JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER

1909
Statute Mrles
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E. Veith, Draftsman

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Boundaries of Public Beds shown in broken black knes. Point ss Light, 9 oe ay xi at CGommere ¢ an
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Area of dense growth of seed oysters xy
Db] eon) detect ener & BUREAU OF FISHERIES °b),
” » very soattered ” ” ” ” \ (a
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Soundings: a THE PUBLIC OYs TER BEDS
Depth at mean low water expressed in feet.
Bottom syinbols: hh, for hard; 8, for soft.

JAMES RIVER VIRGINIA

Note: For more detailed explanation see text.

By Fisheries Str. FISH HAWK, Chf. Bosn WMartin, U.S.N.,C omd’g,

Under the direction of

; cael el a HLF. Moore, Assistant, Bureau of Fisheries
Statute Miles \

JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER
1909

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