"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

“BUREAU OF FISHERIES
GEORGE M. BOWERS, Commissioner

‘CONDITION AND EXTENT OF THE NATURAL
_ OYSTER BEDS AND BARREN BOTTOMS
OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI

‘By. H. F. Moore
| Assistant in ees of Bs rat Inquiry

‘Bureau of Fisheries Document No, 774

, WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1913

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
BUREAU OF FISHERIES

GEORGE M. BOWERS, Commissioner

CONDITION AND EXTENT OF THE NATURAL
OYSTER BEDS AND BARREN BOTTOMS
OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI

By H: F. Moore
Assistant in Charge of Scientific Inquiry

Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 774

WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1913

Do OF.D:

2 1913

JUN

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fw

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JO 9: Sot

CONDITION AND EXTENT OF THE NATURAL OYSTER
BEDS AND BARREN BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI
EAST OF BILOXI

By H. F. Moore
Assistant in Charge ot Scientific Inqutry

Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 774

CONTENTS.

PPPOCUCTION: ...ccceccnees Pec ar te eA Te Cee koe Be EC ya
RGU OOM LM ENSUE VOWS cas fo aise stale ae owls tore totoaaa cinta eae oe NERO Js SS
Description of the natural beds:

SE OS) os a Pe eS a a or

EEE MPEG LOE en. eas ac se baie La Ako ula ed wie am Lae aed eS
BEeErislandewtasty e OMG DEO!) soar son cs aaa ae Ne oun clotmmcinciees be ouster aon ae
SereMper NaC TICE ESS 2 an os is aeece eo esc Sscees $e so some uee
Piruay, Meow Talos bridges... 2.2225... 22. SLT. a
Peeenee ae, (GAEDIOO Ae: ce ette ss SO RAR kk oe
ame brea, een nedera uae cs Wee te. ies EIU ede oe eed aura didn Jaws
Deen RUNIA ewe e ot. wire tnd Sie awig te dow ed ots, Sts beeing ema
NT ERS EEE crt ate dee te cs Ben tie Be ian aa ts Bin oie a nig pane a aeg Oe
General physical and biological conditions:
Be A CUS O TN ate ate 5 Aa da el AG ain eo se wie ad oe ee eee
Sameer eE GE WeaeE Er Stes ent te, Se te te oes Foo Ske telah Sante
OASRET SAIC 00 is ag A Tee eae cS ee a Re a ee
SUC RECTICTORNES yf uh aie wer ted: UE ek, oF eel hl prey 32 A bs I hat ay ve

CONDITION AND EXTENT OF THE NATURAL OYSTER BEDS AND
BARREN BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI.

By H. F. Moors,
Assistant in Charge of Scientific Inquiry.

INTRODUCTION.

This investigation was made at the request of Hon. E. J. Noel,
Governor of Mississippi, in connection with a similar survey in
Alabama which already had been provided for. Had not the latter
been in progress it is probable that work would have been conducted
near the western end of Mississippi Sound, where the natural beds
are more extensive and productive, but the economy in time effected
by the contiguity of the two areas to be surveyed was a controlling
factor in deciding the locus of the Mississippi investigations.

There are extensive oyster interests within the area embraced by
the survey, but the beds upon which they depend are principally near
the western limits of the State. Formerly the largest quantity and
the best quality of the oysters used in the canning and shucking
houses of Mississippi came from Louisiana, but legislation in that
State has placed impediments on the export of oysters to be canned
or shucked in other States, with the result that the Mississippi industry
has been more or less seriously handicapped for lack of proper raw
material. A limited quantity of oysters is brought from Alabama for
packing, principally at Biloxi.

The triangulation on which the survey was based was furnished for
the purpose by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, and is
therefore accurate. All of the points established, excepting buildings
and other structures of like character, are marked by substantial
concrete monuments. Should Mississippi establish a system of leas-
ing her barren bottoms for purposes of oyster culture these stations
will furnish an invaluable basis for the survey of the leaseholds. With
the reference points which they furnish it will be possible to measure
the areas accurately and to locate the corners in a manner which will
make impossible disputes between contiguous holders and between the
lessees and the State. In all States in which oyster culture has been
long established the importance of being able to refer the water surveys
to permanent and accurately determined points on shore is recognized
as necessary to prevent litigation, fraud, and loss to the State, and in
many cases the States have been impelled to establish such marks at
much expense to themselves. The survey of the actual oyster beds and
the barren bottoms was conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries in
February and March, 1911. The work consisted of the determination
5

6 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI.

of the location and extent of the oyster beds by means of biological
and hydrographic examinations and investigation of the character of
the barren bottoms in respect to their suitability for purposes of
oyster culture. No previous investigation of this character has been
made in the region covered by the survey, and there is therefore
nothing on which to base comparisons with past conditions, and no
way in which to determine to what extent changes in the beds have
been effected by the oyster fishery or variations in the physical
characteristics of the waters and the adjacent land.

METHODS OF THE SURVEY.

The methods employed were those pursued in former surveys of like
character, and are explained in detail in a description of the beds of the
James River,* from which some of the following is repeated:

A “boat sheet’? was prepared, on which were accurately platted
the positions, as determined by triangulation, of lighthouses, buildings,
tripods, etc., used as signals. These data were furnished by the
United States Coast and Geodetic 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. At intervals of three
minutes—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 boat
sheet. At regular intervals of 15 seconds, as measured by a clock
under the observation of the recorder, the leadsman made a sounding
and reported to the recorder the depth of the 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 growths of oysters.

With the boat running at 3 miles per hour the soundings were be-
tween 60 and 70 feet apart, and, as the speed of the boat was uniform,
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

«Moore, H. F.: Condition and extent of the oyster beds of James River, Va. Bureau of Fisheries
Document No. 729.

, OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI, 7

indication of the character of the bottom, but the record was made at
the regular 15-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 these 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.

This boat at each station made a known number of “grabs” with
the oyster tongs, exercising care to clean the bottom of oysters as
thoroughly as possible at each grab. In a 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
these 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:

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR.

BUREAU OF FISHERIES,

Field record of examinations of oyster beds.

General locality, Mississppi Sound.
Local name of oyster ground, Scranton Reef.
Date, Febrwary 1, 1911. Time, 2.00 p. m.

Angle, H 101. Buoy No. 6.
‘Depth, 4.8. Bottom, Soft, over 73’.
Condition of water, Thick.
Density, 1.016. Temperature, 19.
Current, Stage of tide, Flood.
No. grabs made, 8. Tongs, 10 feet.
Total area covered, 2.86 square yards.

; —lin., 20. 1 in.-3 in., 101.
‘eae Sap aaagt 3in.4in.,/1. 4i.,0,
Quantity shells, 0. 8 dead.

Spat per square yard, 8.8.
Result; Culls per square yard, 42.2.
Counts per square yard, 4.6.

8 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXT.

This furnishes an exact statement of the condition of the bed at
the 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 esti-
mate may be formed of the number of 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
472 observations were made at various places, principally on the
natural rocks, but some on the barren bottoms also.

In estimating the productiveness of the bottoms it appeared
desirable to use the method employed in Delaware Bay ® rather
than that followed in the James River survey.

Where tongs are used exclusively a bed with a given quantity of
oysters lying in shoal water is more valuable commercially than one
with the same quantity of oysters in deeper water, owing to the fact
that the labor of the tonger is more efficient on the former. As has
been pointed out, the area covered by a “‘grab”’ decreases with the
depth, other factors being the same; 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 in a given time.
Where, however, the depth is practically uniform and shoal, as in
the region treated in this report, it is unnecessarily refined and
laborious to make such allowance for depth, and it is nearly as accu-
rate and satisfactory to rate the bottoms in accordance with an
arbitrary standard.

In this report the classification of the relative productiveness of
the various beds and parts of beds, as exhibited on the chart and dis-
cussed in the text, is as follows:

Dense erowdhe oJ Lek nee Bearing over 150 bushels per acre.

Neattering prowbh jo. Aon eae. Bearing between 75 and 150 bushels per acre.
Very scattering growth. ......--- Bearing between 25 and 75 bushels per acre.
Depleted bottom...-..........- Bearing less than 25 bushels per acre.

This classification refers solely to oysters of a size assumed to be
large enough for the market, in this case to those 3 inches or more in
length, although the cull law of Mississippi permits oysters 2} inches
long to be taken from the public beds. As the classification takes
no account of the smaller oysters, certain areas bearing a heavy
growth of young may be described and shown on the chart as depleted,
owing to the paucity of mature oysters. A case of this character is
the depleted part of West Pascagoula, where there are but 3 bushels
of market oysters per acre and 279 bushels of small ones. While the
charts can not indicate this, the descriptions of the beds show it in
all cases. The charts show in general terms the character of the beds
in respect to the product available for market, so far as mere size

2 Condition and extent of the natural oyster beds of Delaware. By H. F. Moore, assistant, United
States Bureau of Fisheries. Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 745, 1911.

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 9

of the oysters is concerned, at the time of the survey. If the oysters
were of ordinarily good condition and shape, which unfortunately in
most cases they were not, the areas indicated as bearing dense and
scattering growth would yield a product sufficient to make tonging
remunerative under the economic conditions existing. Where the
market oysters are rated as very scattering, the growth is insufficient
to support a fishery at the low price which the product would yield.
The depleted bottom is that on which the product of market oysters,
at the time of the survey, was very small, and is not necessarily
formerly productive bottom now denuded, as might be supposed
from a strict definition of the descriptive term employed. On the
contrary, it may be formerly barren bottom now coming into pro-
duction.

The barren bottom, which is that totally devoid of oysters, and in
most cases of shells, vastly exceeds the oyster bottom in extent.
Its interest in connection with the survey lies in its relative avail-
ability for oyster culture; that is, whether or not its general character
is such as to enable it to become productive if proper measures to
that end be taken. The most important consideration is, usually,
the character and degree of stability of its constituent materials.
If the bottom be too soft the shells and oysters deposited thereon
will soon become engulfed.

In previous surveys the method ordinarily used by oystermen has
been employed, the consistency of the bottom being determined by
probing with a pole. By noting the resistance which the bottom
imposes to the penetration of the probe, the observer forms an opinion
of its relative hardness and of its suitability, in that respect, for oyster
culture. In many cases different observers will not agree as to the
proper term by which to describe the bottom so tested, and it is there-
fore difficult to convey to another the meaning desired. To overcome
this difficulty an instrument? has been devised which gives these data
mechanically, by measuring the number of inches the bottom is
penetrated by a plunger of a constant weight and size falling through
a uniform distance. The instrument is used from an anchored boat,
from 6 to 10 tests being made at each station. Any readings which
are markedly higher or lower than the others are discarded on the
assumption that the plunger has fallen into a crab hole or other
depression, or that it has encountered a shell or similar accidental
obstruction. The average of the remaining depths of penetration,
as indicated on the scale of inches inseribed on the rod, is regarded
as the measure of the consistency of the bottom.

alllustrated and described in “Condition and extent of the natural oyster beds and barren bottoma
of Mississippi Sound, Alabama.” By H. F. Moore, Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 769.

10 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI.

The following designations used to indicate the different degrees
of hardness, as shown by the instrument, are arbitrary, although
based on the terms used by the oyster growers:

TE Yyi( List Daa ds ARM US aA ts NO Penetration less than 4 inches.

SE eS SUM SU CEN RL Se ea Penetration between 4 and 8 inches.

PS (OU ney te Mea MURA A ORAM LR ess Sieg UME. A iG Me Li Penetration between 8 and 13 inches.
WeryysOb thse oy MOS) sui Sa SAU al a Penetration between 13 and 18 inches.
WMO ZON ES Sah S ARUN 623.) as aaa MRM ee ie BALI AEE I Penetration over 18 inches.

These various types of bottom are shown on the chart by means of
circles, the relative area of black included within them indicating
the relative degree of hardness, as follows: Hard, a black circle;
stil, a black semicircle; soft, a black quadrant; very soft, two cross-
ing diameters; ooze, one diameter.

The bottoms classed as hard and stiff, those in which the plunger
will not penetrate more than 8 inches, are suitable for planting
without preparation, provided they are not composed of shifting
sand. As sand invariably gives a reading of less than 4 inches, and
is therefore rated as ‘‘hard,’’ it follows that all ‘‘stiff’’? bottom shown
on the chart by a black semicircle can be accepted as safe for planting.
Part of the hard bottom is composed of mud and part of sand. The
former may be accepted without hesitation, but the latter should be
examined with respect to its liability to shift. Soft bottom should be
planted with care, and toward its upper or less consistent limits may
require some preliminary hardening with shells or sand. Very soft
bottom and ooze should not be considered, as oysters planted there
will sink, and if not killed, as is probable, will be ill shaped and
inferior in every respect. The ratings on which the classification is
based have been checked by observation on bottoms actually used
for oyster culture in Chesapeake Bay.

The instrument employed has been thoroughly tested and is reli-
able for the purposes of oyster surveys, but there may be errors in
cases where hard bottom is overlaid by several inches of soft mud
and ooze. Such bottoms are always readily detected by probing
with a pole.

During the course of the survey 10,472 soundings were made and
1,826 angles for the position of the boat were taken on lines aggre-
gating a length of 21+ miles, over which the chain was dragged
continuously. In addition to the soundings and the use of the chain
on the beds, oysters were tonged, examined, and counted, and other
biological observations were made at 129 places. The barren bot-
toms were tested with the instrument previously described at 343
places, at each of which from 6 to 10 observations were made. ‘The
data of the survey therefore includes upward of 10,000 soundings,
211 miles of contmuous chain readings, and 472 special examinations
of the bottom and its contents. The whole area covered was about
75,000 acres, of which 1,708 acres were oyster-bearing bottom.

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 11
DESCRIPTION OF NATURAL BEDS.
SCRANTON REEF.

Scranton Reef lies in the shallow water west of the mouth of Pasca-
goula River. It is roughly rectangular in shape, stretching for upward
of 1} miles in a southwesterly direction from the depleted bottom
close to shore to a depth of 3 or 4 feet at its outer edge. Its former
natural limits apparently have been greatly extended within a
recent period, partly by the ordinary operations of oystering,
partly through the agency of gales which have distributed oysters
and shells over the surrounding mud and sand and, principally,
through planting operations, reported to have been conducted by
the State on the originally barren bottom contiguous to the offshore
margin of the natural bed.

The original reef, and practically the only part of the present bed
which has reef-like characteristics, is a narrow strip of raccoon
oysters having a length of about 1} miles in an approximately east
and west direction, and an average width of about 200 yards. The
later natural and artificial accretions to the bed lie north and south
of this ridge.

The bed constitutes the largest continuous area of oyster growth
in that part of Mississippi covered by the survey, but the oysters at
the time of examination were small, rough, and inferior, and there is
every reason to believe that that has been their condition for some
years. During the time of the survey practically no oysters were
taken from the bed.

The area, condition of oyster growth, and estimated content of
this bed are shown in the following table:

OysteR GRoWTH ON SCRANTON REEF.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. Area.
Under 3} Over 3 Seed. Market.

inches. | inches. Total.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
44 740 278 32, 560 12, 232 44,7

RRALECIIGS = a y1disoene mele seisuiniesiastove evens so 105 447 117 46, 935 12, 285 59, 220
IMEGYISCALLORING sab ck opieincis ss vinsiesleseseee ee - 402 206 47 82, 812 18, 894 101, 706
PIR. ni tecramiceiste sels acis cinta sa adie smleiee 262 27 9 7,074 2,358 9, 432

PBEM cice cetacines bie cms ieicie'e s,ciciewelulinsys Dilek ereraetert eters a aistate alas eon 169, 381 45, 769 215, 150

The dense growth lies in the planted area outside the original reef
as an arcuate strip about one-half mile long and 250 yards wide.
The depth of water over this is about a foot less than on the adjacent
bottom bearing a more scattering growth, and varies from about 24
feet at the northern to 4 feet at the southern end of the strip. It is

12 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI.

probable that included in this area may be some natural oyster beds
or patches, although they may have been reduced to mere areas of
hard bottom prior to the time at which they are alleged to have been
planted by the State. The shoaling of the water over the strip
indicates either this or an extraordinary production after planting.
There are very few oysters over 4 inches long on this area and for
every oyster 3 inches long or more there are 6 or more under that
length, and all are poor in every respect.

South of this strip and continuous with it in a depth of 4 to 5 feet
is an area of scattering oysters, but the principal growth of that
character lies on the old ridge previously described. On the crest of
the ridge the depth is generally 1 foot or less, but the scattering
growth passes to a depth of about 24 feet at the western end in a
channel running to one of the bayous. In this area there is hardly
an oyster reaching a length of 4 inches and there are nearly nine
times as many under 3 inches as over that. This does not mean that
there is an enormous production of young, though that is also true,
but that the conditions are such as to prevent oysters growing to a
large size even though they may attain a considerable age. In most
places examined they were densely clustered, though in one or two
spots small single oysters are found in considerable numbers. There
were some drills and in one or two places considerable alge or ‘‘moss.”’
The very scattering growth which constitutes about one-half of the
entire bed lies in the two areas practically surrounding the denser
growth. The smaller of the two is inside of the ridge in water not
exceeding 2 feet deep. The larger hes outside of the ridge and on all
sides of the area of dense growth previously described. In oysters
of marketable size, that is those measuring 3 inches or more in length,
the productiveness of the two is about equal, but small oysters are
in greater abundance in the outer or planted area, especially in that
part of it lying west of the dense growth.

The depleted bottom is confined to the northern and eastern
borders of the bed. Over the former it is characterized by the
clusters of small oysters sparsely scattered, and apparently owes its
existence to a set on shells carried from the more productive bottoms
by storms,

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI.

13

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF SCRANTON REEF.

Angle
No.

Date of
exami-
nation.

Oysters caught per
D opin Character of agai yard.
fo)
water. growth.
Spat. | Culls. | Counts
AO) Denser.. cactanas 18.5 87.0 10.8
ee GOSS Ae Sh 16.0 90.0 24.0
Scattering........ 5.5 97.5 78)
Bes! se: Sea 3.0} 141.0 5.0
antes GO eecions -3 12.9 6.8
is Go seaoky 6.0 41.3 12.7
aatereg doz. 7.7 55.8 5.0
ems iy Oven: eases 2.5 9.5 7.0
Very scattering... 8.3 42.2 4.6
is dea 0 Lay pal ee eden AE 21.1 23.3 4.4
.0 37.8 2:2
.0 9 .6
.0 16.6 1.6
-0 4.7 1.9
.0 47.5 2.9
«5 75.0 2.0
bay AS 4 GO ALE Cees 2.9 24.8 4.2
LRG GOR eevee 10.7 4.4 1.9
Bae Ce Ve el eae ee 20.5 13.5 2.0
Mish fey Gos vee es 4.1 PAIS 2.3
ee ae AGS 73s eee 5. 5 1.0 5
ce (OKC per ptt 6.8 56.8 1.9
ahs A Gove csreet ae 6.5 21.0 4.5
ope oe 2 eae 2.5 5.4 4.2
He coe C6 |e ee Sy 7.8 86.6 yy
ae AS GOW SSS Se ded
ere Oued 1.9 15.9 ee
Seta GOP neue te «4 20.4 1.2
B2) 4.4 ano
-0 14.2 4.6
-0 Lu -0
.0 .0 -0
1.3 Pet, ef
.0 -6 3
-0 10.3 9
.0 Be 8
ane 4.8 1.0
8 .0 “4
.0 =D 1.0
3.3 4.4 4
-0 3.4 9
-0 4.7 -0

Sees ees eed (es ee

Estimated quantity

Shells oysters per acre.
bee ysters per a
square
yard. | seed. |Market.| Total
Bush. | Bush. | Bush.

0} 738.5 | 172.8 911.3
o| 742 | 384 | 1,126
0} 721 120 841
0 |1,008 80 1,088
0 92.4} 108.8 201.2
0| 333.1 203. 2 536.3
0} 444.5 80 524.5
0 84 112 196
0| 353.5 73.6 427.1
0} 310.8 70.4 381.2
0 264.6 30.2 299.8
0 6.3 9.6 15.9
0} 116.2 25.6 141.8
0 32.9 30.4 63.3
0} 332.5 46.4 378.9
0} 528.5 32 560.5
0} 193.9 67.2 261.1
0} 105.7 30.4 136.1
0! 238 32 270
0 47.6 36.8 84.4
0 45.5 24 69.5
8 445.2 30.4 475.6
0| 192.5 72 264.5
0 55.3 67.2 122.5
0} 660.8 35. 2 696
5 124.6 17.6 142.2
0} 145.6) 115.2 260.8
0 32.9 52.8 85.7
0 99.4 73.6 173
0 hat -0 Maid
0 -0 -0 -0
0 63 11.2 74.2
0 4.2 4.8 9
0 72.1 14.4 86.5
0 3:9 12.8 16.3
1 56 16 72
0 5.6 6.4 12
1 3.5 16 19.5
0 53.9 6.4 60.3
0 23.8 14.4 38.2
0 32.9 -0 32.9

PATCHES NEAR SCRANTON REEF.

At a distance of a few hundred yards from the western and south-
western margin of Scranton Reef are several small patches of what
appears to be a natural growth of oysters.
material importance and but one examination was made on each,
although one or two lines of soundings were carried over them.
The areas and productivity of these patches are shown in the table
following.

None of these are of

14 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI.

OysTER GROWTH ON PatcHES NEAR SCRANTON REEF.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. Area.
Under 3 | Over 3

qaaes,. || Racine, Seed. Market. | Total.

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

Soatteninip es ple iy ne AL. ACCA Reels 10 207 77 2,070 770 2,840
Very scattering. 10 270 36 | 2,700 360 3, 060
Depleted ar nee hm. Nek oo RT 8 4 3 32 24 56

Mohal reset 2 Wao wks ue Nee yc MSRM TIS Bd bide 4,802 1,154 5, 956

The area of scattering growth, which covers about 10 acres, lies
northwest of Scranton Reef proper in the shallow channel running
into West Pascagoula River. The larger of the patches of scattering
growth and the depleted bottom he on the eastern edge of the sand
spit between Scranton and West Pascagoula Reefs.

The following data are derived from the examination of these
patches:

DeETAILts OF EXAMINATION OF PaTcHES NEAR SCRANTON REEF.

Oysters caught per Estimated quantity

r d. Shells 5
Angle,| Dateol | Pepi) charantar ot | See) pe
o: nation. | water growth. square
‘ ; Spat. | Culls. | Counts.) yard. | Seed. |Market.} Total.

1911. Feet. Bush. | Bush. | Bush.
847 | Feb. 1 4.0 | Scattering........ D2 27.4 4.8 0} 207.2 76.8 284.0
809 | Jan. 31 4.0 | Very scattering. . 24.5 43.0 1.5 0) 472.5 24.0 496.5
838 | Feb. 1 Buf) esos GOeer eee 4.3 5 3 3.0 0 67. 2 48.0 115. 2
837 |.--do.-.-- 2.5 | Depleted......... 6 <0) ne 2 4.2 3.2 7.4

WEST PASCAGOULA REEF.

This body of oysters lies on the west side of the sand spit off the
mouth of West Pascagoula River, in a depth of water ranging from
2 feet on the eastern and northern edges to about 34 feet on the west
and south. It consists of an area of dense growth almost surrounded
by very scattering oysters. The northern third of the bed, although
prolific in young, is rated as depleted, owing to the practical absence
of oysters over 3 inches long. The oysters on the bed as a whole are
undersized and badly clustered.

The following table summarizes the area and conditions of oyster
growth:

OysTER GROWTH ON WEST PascaGouLA REEF.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of oyster growth. Area.
Under 3 | Over 3

“racine Hanes, Seed. Market. | Total.

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

Dense......- i Se DR I ER REE 71 1, 261 171 | 989,531] 12,141] 101,672

Very scatterings 2: Sele ai mie mNNa Dail 119 177 38 | . 21,063 4,522 25, 585

Depleted ses CeO MLR VERS ACNE AM 95 279 3| 26,505 285 26,790
SRG GAD EUS Ue VN REL SEW Ma a Pacts Paka hain Ree Ua a al 137,099 | 16,948 | 154,047

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 15

The area of dense growth, which comprises about one-fourth of the
total, undoubtedly represents the original natural growth, the sur-
rounding less prolific area having been stocked by shells and
oysters carried onto the mud by storms and waves and the
involuntary agency of the oystermen. This part of the reef is
extraordinarily productive, bearing an average of upwards of 1,400
bushels per acre, of which, however, the oysters over 3 inches
long constitute but 12 per cent in bulk and less than 6 per cent
numerically. In other words, for each oyster 3 inches or more
in length, there are approximately 17 smaller ones. Several small
schooners were tonging on this area at the time of the survey.
The area bearing the very scattering growth of market oysters prac-
tically surrounds that just described, lying in a depth of from 2 to
34 feet of water. It contains hardly more than 20 per cent of the
quantity of large oysters per acre which occur on the dense area, but
as the small oysters are relatively still less abundant those over 3
inches in length comprise about 18 per cent of the total quantity,
although numerically they constitute less than 9 per cent.

The depleted bottom which covers the inshore third of the reef is
practically devoid of oysters of marketable size, but in the number
and quantity of small oysters it excels the area of scattering growth.
The few marketable oysters are generally near the inner edge of the
bed, where the oyster growth becomes very sparse. Near the outer
edge of the area the young oysters are in places exceedingly abundant.

A few scattered clusters lie on the sandy bottom stretching shore-
ward.

The following table exhibits the results of examinations made at
various stations:

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF WEST PascaGouLA REEF.

Oysters caught per Estimated quantity

u d. Shells P
Angle ae pene Character of int tam per ne ee
No. ait growth, SS eS SS
nation. | water. ard
. Spat. | Culls. | Counts.| Y87°- | Seed. |Market.| Total.
1911. Feet. Bush. | Bush. | Bush.
824] Feb. 1 28!) Densez.!. 2252... 30.0} 198.0 16.7 0 /1,596.0 | 267.2 | 1,863.2
825 :|-..do.-.<. 23) |aiswe AO issue 26.0} 111.0 8.3 3] 959.0] 132.8 | 1,091.8
828 |...do. MO) stereos (0 Eee eee 19.5 156.0 7.0 8 [1,228.5 112.0 | 1,340.5
$20 '})'.d0.2 ... 4.0 | Veryscattering...) 12.5 15.5 lis 0} 196.0 24.0 20.0
S2t Sedo. 3: Nad See Gott sganes 2.3 2.8 2.8 0 35.7 44.8 80.5
“ee I bs Sie |esses COs eee eee 6 1.8 1.8 0 16.8 28.8 45.6
S234". 200..2.- BLO) een GOossscet- ess 1.6 7.2 Saw 0 61.6 59. 2 120.8
Bab) 2.0022: . . TG eee dovssgtate. sae 9.5 72.5 2.0 0} 574.0 32.0 606. 0
830 |...do....- 2.2 | Depleted........- 4.0 | 123.0 .0 0} 889.0 .0 889.0
S32 dows: -. hel ep ole ear ea .0 “5 Ast 0 3.5 11.2 14.7
B33 |. do: -3.- 240) 288 Go eee sec cis -0 7 SOHO. ee 4.9 .0 4.9
$34 |...do..... y 7) ee (5 (oe eC eee 2.9 28.3 -0 1| 218.4 -0 218. 4

DEER ISLAND, EAST POINT BED.

This bed lies near the mouth of Biloxi Bay, north of the east end
of Deer Island, in a depth of water ranging from 3 to 6 or 7 feet. It
is over one-half mile long and slightly more than one-third mile wide,

77630°—13——2

16 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI.

and contains about 106 acres of all degrees of productiveness. Its
southwest edge is indeterminate, the oyster growth being continued
shoreward to or above low-water mark.

The following table summarizes the area and distribution of oyster
growth on this bed:

OysTER GROWTH ON Deer Istanp, East Pornt Ben.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of growth. Area.

Under 3} Over3
= aieistean) |p osaraaee Seed. Market. | Total.

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

DONS SER ENG ee PE BAO Sa a ee ae 5 134 184 670 920 1,590
Seattermet (6 Uo Moe h Ure ee hea Aa Oe 19 21 94 399 1,786 2,185
IMenyaseca tte rin mi Soman rmination eo ebin sete tua 35 29 40 1,015 1, 400 2,415
Depleted: ester aslo eh eee Se Ree 47 1 7 47 329 376

Motalye siete Seek ens wees ae eee VOSA seal as seat 2,131 4,435 6,566

The area of dense growth is a small, narrow patch of not over 5
acres in extent, which is the most prolific part of the bed in both
market and small oysters. The oysters are of excellent shape and
good quality. The scattermg growth occupies the outer edge of the
bed in a depth of from 6 to 8 feet. The market oysters vary in
quantity in different places between about 75 bushels and 110 bushels
per acre, and are similar in shape and quality to those on the area of
dense growth, but small ones are much less numerous. The very
scattering growth is inshore of the two areas previously described, and
covers about 35 acres; and the depleted bottom, which occupies
approximately 47 acres, borders the southern and western edges of
the bed. The boundaries of this growth are indeterminate on the
landward side, as scattered clusters occur in the shallow water to
low-water mark or beyond. .

This bed, as a whole, produces the best oysters found in Mississippi
during the survey. The examinations made gave the data shown in
the following table:

Dertaits oF EXAMINATION OF DEER ISLAND, East Point BeEp.

Oysters Geuert per Shells Estimated quantity
nee Be of Deg Charanter ci square yard. ae oysters per acre.
No. aa b growth. || CR eee
ation. | water. d

: Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Y8°¢- | Seed. |Market.| Total.

1911. Feet. Bush. | Bush. | Bush.
1232 | Feb. 25 Gyo) | Denson es. 4.6 14.6 11.5 0 134. 4 184.0 318. 4
227i eee donee 8.0 | Seattering........ 1.0 4.0 7.0 0 35.0 112.0 147.0
TBR He loa A poo in Hee Coe ee tes -0 9 4.8 0 6.3 76.8 83.1
1230 |...do..... 6.0 | Very scattering... 1.4 3.6 2.9 0 35.0 46. 4 81.4
123 eee dOse oan Gronleoeee Gon ee eee .0 1.2 2.1 0 50. 4 33.6 84.0
1234 |. --do_-.l. DOU eee Goya ey .0 .0 2.5 0 .0 40.0 40.0
I228vie-edoucees 4.5 | Depleted ........ -0 -6 .0 0 4.2 -0 4.2
TPR beara ale BO) ee Go eee ees .0 .0 .6 0 -0 9.6 9.6
1236) 2eedouee &e Bey (ees Goists SL 2dse rept canes a ull i pale oa a Ori ANE cv GREASE i a
IPBY( C2 ACOs 454 GNOe| eee dow Rays tek cae .0 -0 Sif 0 .0 11.2 11.2
EAU EP PD ee Ae RIO ae Slo TI Rs OL SM TL eS

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI, 17
SMALL PATCHES, BILOXI BAY.

Northwest of the bed just described and stretching as far as the
railroad bridge and to the edge of the private bottoms off Red Bluff
are a number of patches varying in extent from one-half acre to
about 18 acres, aggregating about 73 acres of all degrees of produc-
tiveness.

The condition and extent of these fragmentary beds are summa~
rized in the following table:

OystTER GROWTH ON SMALL PATCHES IN BiInoxi BAY.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of growth. Area.
Under 3 Over 3

cavers tteitee: Seed. Market. | Total.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels
5 120 277 600 1,385

IRE eats as cin a wi Are wrt de wing Sais wishes Sela etal 1,985
ember ire ey: Sone Pee SOON Tasty eee Lek 7 99 121 693 847 1,540
MOE VI REAR ORINS 2. 0. core eee Ue AER, 60 38 40 2, 280 2, 400 4,680
PRP OLO ee sO re cee onic attics wie Svewiciae ee atic ase 33 8 33 8 41

MOtaliag Jase sp levetawsetseesesee eee te vs PO UES eet alte coneteee 3, 606 4,640 8, 246

The patches bearing dense growth are four or five in number, cov-
ering, all told, about 5 acres and individually so small that to show
them on the chart it has been necessary to exaggerate their size They
Dear between 240 and 341 bushels per acre of oysters over 3 inches
long, but the stock is so badly clustered and poor as to have small
value.

There are two patches of scattering oysters, covering at most about
7 acres, on which the growth resembles that just described, though
less abundant. The patches of very scattering growth are more
numerous and several of them are of considerable size. The bound-
aries of one which adjoins the private beds on the northeast side of
the bay about 1} miles below the railroad bridge was not definitely
determined, but it is estimated to contain about 18 acres. At the
place examined it bore about 50 bushels of 3-inch oysters per acre
and about 10 bushels of smaller ones. Another bed of about 7 acres
adjoins the northeast corner of the private beds off Deer Island and
bears per acre approximately 50 bushels each of oysters over and
under 3 inches long.

The most extensive bed of very scattering oysters covers about
29 acres near the middle of the bay. It bears an average per acre
of about 40 bushels of each of the two sizes. This bed lies on bottom
such as is classed in this report as soft and very soft, and bears the
appearance of having been recently established. It is said that the
State planted oysters in this vicinity several years ago, and it appears
probable that this is the place. The oysters are inferior and in rough
clusters.

18 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI.

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF SMALL PatoHES, Brnoxt Bay.

eo

Oysters caught per Estimated quantity

si d. Shells oysters per acre.
Angle | Dateof | Depth | — Character of eho has per 7 y
o exami: of growth square
; nation. | water. sail
Spat. | Culls. | Counts. yard. | Seed. |Market.| Total.
1911. Feet. Bush. | Bush. | Bush.
1153 | Feb. oD. 1.3 26. 0 21.3 0 191 341 532
1164 |...do..... 4.3 .0 11.1 15.0 0 78 240 318
1172 |...do..... 6.5 -0 5.4 17.7 0 38 283 321
LS | a Osea 5.3 aif 24.0 15.3 0 173 245 418
1176 |...do....- 6.5 -0 26.4 8.6 0 185 138 323
¥218 | Feb. 25 8.0 .0 1.7 6.5 0 12 104 116
1366 | Feb. 23 5.0 m0) 6 2.5 0 4 40 44
Thbad) oe aloe ae = 6.3 0 9.3 2.1 0 65 34 99
1180 |...do..... 6.5 -0 5.0 4.3 0 35 69 104
1219 | Feb. 25 8.0 1.0 8.3 1.0 0 65 16 81
1220 ||...do.-...- 8.0 -3 4.5 2.8 0 37 45 82
1222 |..-do..... 9.5 -0 ils 3.0 0 12 48 60
1224 |...do....- 8.5 -0 ad 1.3 0 5 29 34
1225) ||.--do..... 7.0 0 4.0 1.3 0 28 21 49
1226 |...do..... Ge ee CO AS Aaa 2.7 10.7 3.3 0 94 54 148
1142 | Feb. 23 12.0 | Depleted......... 0 2.0 0 0 14 0 14
1147 |..-do..... H2Bs POS Gow ee -0 1.3 1.0 0 ol 16 67

BILOXI BAY BELOW RAILROAD BRIDGE.

This bed begins close to the piers of the railroad bridge and stretches
down the middle of the bay southwest of the channel for a distance of
about 14 miles. It has a maximum width of about 600 yards near
its middle, tapering toward the ends, and it embraces an area of
about 234 acres. At its inner edge, where it runs to, or practically
to, the stakes marking the private beds, the water is about 3 feet
deep, gradually increasing to from 5 to 7 feet toward the channel.
It consists of a long strip of dense and scattering growth, broadly
fringed on its southwest side by less prolific bottom and with an inter-
rupted narrow belt of the same character toward the channel.

Its general condition and extent are shown in the following table:

OystER GROwTH IN Bmoxt Bay BeLtow RamRoAD BRIDGE.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.
Character of oyster growth. Area. OT
Under 3 | Over 3
sneha ealianbhest Seed. Market. | Total.
Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
LD sia a? aA Sg UAC SEI Abas 6 NE 34 180 297 6,120 | 10,098 16, 218
Scattering... ob adi cuscadkoasrosbuaroesddonsee 106 140 122 14,840 12,932 27,772
Wernyascatierin gs eine iT Sum date and 68 39 54 2,652 3, 672 6,324
DCPS te ee Na ey ea se Ue Aa 26 163 17 4, 238 442 4,680
el Da a a US Sea DRAWS Mi Wena A Maen 27,550 27,144 54,994

The scattering growth occupies nearly one-half of the total area
of the bed as a strip from 100 to 300 yards wide running practically
the entire length of the bed. On this area there is an average
growth per acre of about 122 bushels of oysters 3 inches or more

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 19

in length and a slightly greater quantity of smaller ones. Numer-
ically the small oysters outnumber the larger ones as about 2.6
to 1.

The dense growth occupies a strip nearly a half mile long near
the middle of the bed and a small patch at the lower end. On
the latter, which covers about 5 acres, the larger’ oysters are par-
ticularly abundant, examination indicating about 416 bushels per
acre. On the larger strip, which contains about 29 acres, there are
about 235 bushels per acre. Oysters under 3 inches long range at
the places examined between 154 and 218 bushels per acre, the aver-
age being about 180 bushels. In actual quantity the small oysters
are more abundant than on the area of scattering growth, but in
numbers relatively to the market oysters they are but half as
abundant.

The very scattering growth and the depleted bottom le on the
edges of the bed as transition areas between the more productive
and the barren bottoms. The depleted bottom, although unproduc-
tive in large oysters at the time of the survey, was well provided
with small ones, the average per acre being about 163 bushels. A
number of boats were tonging on this bed during the presence of the
survey party in the vicinity. ‘The oysters were of inferior quality,
clustered and ‘‘coony.”

DETAILS OF EXAMINATION OF Bitoxt Bay BELow RAILROAD BRIDGE.

Oysters eapEnt per Shells Estimated quantity
x rd. ter: ‘
Angle tate Dep Character of ee per alent drake
No. | nation. | water. growth, pee a
Spat. | Culls. | Counts.| Y97°- | Seed. |Market.| Total.
1911. Feet. Bush. | Bush. | Bush.
1151 | Feb. 23 4:0") (Densaxers3 is. : 0.0 24.0 13.5 0 168 216 384
1158 |. Ce) LCT AN) DOr ee Buea. 1.2 30. 0 16. 2 0 218 259 477
1168 |...do 6. Secs. Gas sk 28 .0 22.0 26.0 0 154 416 570
1139 |...do 7.0 | Scattering....... 5.3 28.6 9.3 0 237 149 386
1144 |...do SFO. Seeks Goveree ees. .0 21.8 7.5 0 153 120 273
1146 |...do GU ie] ieee GOS a heres wea 0 8.6 8.6 0 60 138 198
1148 |...do BSA OD ae: Sh: Gosh. sie.-8 & -0 9.4 8.1 0 66 130 196
1152 }..'.do At 0} ae GOek ase sone -0 33.8 6.2 0 237 99 336
1155 |...do AiO) (555-8 Gorse .0 16.5 8.0 0 116 128 244
1162 |...do Ly An RS (3 Coane Sea ae -0 15.6 5.6 0 109 90 199
1169 |...do TONE eee eC SG pase SMS ERIE. EC rh sy ee tes oT EM. Ieee oe
1138 |...do 4.0 | Very scattering. . “0) xe Ba | 0 5 59 64
1143 |...do GiO Me seas Gower Soo -0 8.3 4.4 0 58 70 128
1150 |...do on a Pe cies (ee iQ 14.0 4.5 4 98 72 170
1154 |...do Ae | 3k: Gores see hs 3.3 aL 3.3 0 31 53 84
1156 |...do 7A) Ae ae Gs Rae ae .0 1.0 2.0 0 % 32 39
1163 |...do = ice fel (pee [fo | nt are A .0 5.0 2.5 0 35 40 75
1145 do 4.5 | Depleted......... -0 32.8 1a 0 230 18 248
1149 do ca iL ee Ce ee ats) 13.0 1.0 0 95 16 111

BACK BAY, EAST BED.

This bed, covering about 74 acres of bottom of varying produc-
tiveness, lies about north of the draw of the Louisville & Nashville
Railroad bridge. It is about five-eighths of a mile long and about

20 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI.

one-quarter of a mile at its widest part. It is covered by from 3 to
31 feet of water, with a somewhat greater depth on the barren
bottom immediately adjacent to its borders. The productive bot-
tom occupies the southern half of the bed, where a small number of
tongers were at work during the survey. The oysters are badly
clustered, sharp-edged, and of a poor quality.

The general condition of the bed is summarized in the following
table: |

OysTER GROWTH IN Back Bay, Hast BEp.

—

Oysters per acre | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of growth. Area.

Under 3 | Over 3
anes, ain, Seed. Market. | Total.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
29 113 249 7 Ey y AN 10, 4

Densesen Wore Mane eM ROMANS Se Re 2 3,20 5 98
Scattering Hesse ek ais bee eee Dee eg 6 62 88 372 528 900
Wery scattering soi tiie ere eke 18 228 56 4,104 1,008 5, 112
Depleted are aM ee SN Ca pay Ae 21 47 11 987 231 1,218

Potale cia Mi nae Ss le OREN SZ 7A OC ASAE UL 8, 740 8, 988 17, 728

The area of dense growth covers about 29 acres, on which there
are about 249 bushels of oysters over 3 inches long and 113 bushels
of smaller ones per acre. Numerically the two classes are practi-
cally equal, that is, there is a young oyster for every one above 3
inches long. In some places the bottom is fairly compact and in
others the oysters lie on soft black mud with many buried shells.
The oysters are generally in large rough clusters.

The scattering growth lies as a narrow strip on the eastern edge
of the preceding and covers about 6 acres. The young oysters are
more numerous in proportion to the large ones, but both are in
smaller quantity than on the dense part of the bed.

On the area of very scattering growth, while the market oysters
are less numerous the young are found in greater quantity than on
the other parts of the bed. For each oyster over 3 inches long there
are more than 9 smaller ones. The clusters contain numerous
Individuals, and it is apparent that the conditions are such as to
retard their growth. The bottom is hard on the surface. The de-
pleted bottom occupies the gradually narrowing northern end of
the bed and is deficient in oysters of all sizes.

The following table gives the details of the examination made on
the bed:

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 21

Deraits oF EXAMINATION OF Back Bay, East BeEp.

Oysters caught per Estimated quantity

Shells
Angle serve a i Gharkciariof square yard. oie oysters per acre.
No. | nation. | water. growth. square

Spat. | Culls. |Counts.| Y84- | seed. |Market.| Total.

Bush. | Bush. | Bush.

Dense 2 = «215 js ' <3 -0 41.5 15.5 0} 290.5} 248.0 538.5
ee doses. 2 .0 5.5 13.3 0 38.5] 212.8 251.3
Bs ae OMe oar eee -0 1.4 17.8 0 9.8] 284.8 294.6
Scattering......-. 2.2 6.7 5.5 0 62.3 88.0 150.3
Very scattering... .0 19.5 3.0 0] 136.5 48.0 184.5
d :0 45.5 4.0 0} 318.5 64.0 382.5

.0 13,5 «D 0 94.5 8.0 102.5

0 4.0 -o 0 28.0 8.0 36.0

-0 2.8 Tl 0 19.6 17.6 37.2

BACK BAY, WEST BED.

This bed begins about a quarter of a mile nearly west of the draw
in the railroad bridge and stretches along the northern edge of the
main channel for a distance of about three-fourths of a mile, its
northwestern edge adjoining the boundary stakes of the planted
beds. The water varies from less than 3 feet near the eastern end
of the bed to about 10 feet at the western edge. Among the beds of
Biloxi Bay this is distinguished by the abundance of small oysters.

The following table summarizes the areas, character of growth, and
general condition of the several parts of the bed:

OystTeR GROWTH IN Back Bay, West BED.

Oysters per acre. | Estimated content of oysters.

Character of growth. Area.

Under 3 | Over3
inthis, | |ctnches. Seed. Market. | Total.

Acres. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
29 279 214 8, 091 6, 206 14, 297

5 35 136 175 680 855
41 381 55 15, 621 2, 255 17, 876
20 14 1 280 20 300
OD) 4 tanin keer ME Se REE 24, 167 9, 161 33, 328

The area of dense growth is a narrow strip extending nearly the
entire length of the bed and for a considerable part of the distance
near its northeast edge, forming a ridge covered by very shallow
water. It covers about 29 acres and bears an average per acre of
214 bushels of market oysters and 279 bushels of small ones. There
are about three small oysters to each one over 3 inches long. The
stock is generally of poor shape and quality and badly clustered.
The area of scattering growth lies between the eastern edge of the
preceding and the margin of the bed. There is a fair quantity of the
larger oysters but a dearth of small ones.

99 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI HAST OF BILOXI.

The very scattering growth lies in two areas, one of about 13 acres,
occupying the southern margin of the bed adjoining the channel, and
the other of about 28 acres at the western end of the bed. The
examination of the former indicated about 70 bushels of larger oysters
and 183 bushels of smaller ones per acre. The larger area at the
western end of the bed has per acre only 50 bushels of oysters over
3 inches, but is much more productive in small ones, especially in
that portion which adjoins the dense growth, where examination
indicated 1,120 bushels per acre. This prolificness covers but a small
area and the production of both large and small oysters decreases
toward the boundary stakes of the planted beds.

The depleted bottom, of which there are two areas, shown on the
chart, is almost bare. The following examinations were made:

DeTaits or EXAMINATION OF Back Bay, West BEp.

Oysters caught per Estimated quantity

Date of | Depth square yard. Shells oysters per acre.
Angle F Character of per
a of -owth | square A.
nation. | water. Brown. Sind
Spat. | Culls. | Counts. yard. | Seed. |Market.| Total.
191 Feet. Bush. | Bush. | Bush.
1193 | Feb. 24 SiON MD CNSCo sere sneer 0 Maui, 10.4 0 53.9} 166.4 220.3
1196 |...do.... TLOVOR Rees CORRE ee 0 65.4 13.6 0! 457.8] 217.6 675. 4
12145) Sed Osan BOM see Oe is Sees 0 30.0 22.0 0| 210.0] 352.0 562.0
1215s eedoee ANO ese: GONEeS aah ae 0 56. 5 (Ea) 0| 395.5 120.0 515.5
1192 |...do 4.0 | Seattering......-- 0 5.0 8.5 0 35.0 136.0 171.0
1194 |...do 3.0 | Very scattering. . 0 26. 2 4.4 0) 183.4 70. 4 253. 8
1197 |...do GHOM| eee GOW nen els 0} 160.0 3.6 0 |1, 120.0 57.6 | 1,177.6
1198 |...do PAN sere hes do). Sass Sees 0 12.8 2.2 0 89. Bhi, 2 124.8
1199 |...do A(t) ose Goer ee 0 18.6 3.6 0 130. 2 57.6 187.8
1213 |...do 3.8 | Depleted......... 1 2.0 ae 0 14.7 1.6 16.3
1216 |...do SHON eee GO eee 0 1.9 .0 0 13.3 .0 13.3

THE BEDS IN SUMMARY.

The natural oyster beds of Mississippi east of Biloxi are restricted
to the waters adjacent to the mouth of the Pascagoula River and
Biloxi Bay. The beds of the former locality, of which there are two
and some insignificant patches, embrace almost exactly two-thirds
of the naturally productive bottom; Scranton Reef, the larger of the
-beds, comprises nearly one-half of the oyster area of the region sur-
veyed, and West Pascagoula Reef about one-sixth. The two, with
the small patches alluded to, cover about 1,126 acres, of which 115
acres have a dense growth of oysters of marketable size, 115 acres a
scattering growth, 531 acres a very scattering growth, and 365 acres
are so sparsely covered as to be classified as depleted. All of these
lie in water not exceeding 5 feet in depth and most of them, especially
the more productive parts, are covered by 8 feet or less.

In Biloxi Bay there are four beds of more than insignificant size.
The largest of these, covering about 234 acres, lies on the west side
below the railroad bridge. The others in the order of their areas

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 23

are near the southeastern end of Deer Island, and the western and
eastern beds, respectively, above the railroad bridge. In addition
there are a number of small patches below the railroad bridge, the
largest of which is believed to be a public planted bed. Altogether
there are in Biloxi Bay about 582 acres of oyster bottom, of which
102 acres are classed as dense, 143 as scattering, 222 as very scatter-
ing, and 115 as depleted. Of the entire area of 1,708 acres of natural
oyster bottom located by the survey, 13 per cent is covered by a dense
growth of oysters of marketable size, 15 per cent by a scattering
growth, 44 per cent by a very scattering growth, and 28 per cent is
depleted or very deficient in such oysters.

The following table summarizes the distribution of the oysters on
the several beds:

SUMMARIZED STATEMENT OF AREAS OF MARKET OysTERS ON PusBLIc BEDs.

Character of oyster growth.
of - °
Name of bed ey Very Total
Dense. é seatter- |Depleted.
ae: ing.

Acres Acres Acres Acres Acres
PRERLENVER POL SG 52 suki Oe ts tendons doctnanstedemace= 02 262 813
PEUMESMOAF SCANLON ROC... ccscn2t-- sss ene ce tacce|eicece ee ces 10 1 28
DES UE BSCAPOUIA FROG o 2) So ccis <uelwuimeersiisercaidaste os TAN acing ate S 119 95 285
BEETS ANG WASH) POLI 5 2.0\2a\a\sie odie Jame vicisa sicaceew ae 5 19 35 47 106
Small patches, Tomas see 2) OMe ah a ek 5 7 60 1 73
Biloxi Bay, below Tiles Pridges. ere ssh A 34 106 68 26 234
ORE WA COC mi oy (0 a ee 29 6 18 21 T4
AGRA WESEIDEM So cw eect ees oe lee te cece stb ee 29 5 4) 20 95
PEO Meee Sema awa Sate eee cicee kien pee seen es 217 258 753 480 1,708

It should be understood that the foregoing classification in respect
to relative density of oyster growth is based solely on the quantity
of oysters 3 inches or more in length irrespective of the quantity of
small oysters present. The classification, furthermore, represents
the condition at the time of examination and the several classes may
and undoubtedly wil! undergo redistribution from time to time.
The areas of dense growth may become less productive from over-
fishing or other causes while a heavy set of spat may bring the lower
classes into increased productivity and raise them a step higher in
the scale. In some cases the number of young oysters on the beds
at the time of examination was sufficient to produce this effect in
the following year. On the whole, however, the general conditions
shown in this report, barring accidents, should be maintained for a
period of years. The estimated total content of oysters over 3
inches long on the several parts of the different beds is shown in the
table following.

94 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI.

SUMMARIZED CONTENT OF MARKET OysSTERS ON PusBLIc BEDs.

Character of oyster growth.

Name of bed. Very Total.
Dense. | Scatter- | scatter- Depleted.
ing. ing.

Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
ScrantoniReoks:s< sce iii te ye Ha 2 eS aR eso ai 12, 232 12, 285 18,894 2,358 45,769
24

IPALCHeS Mean) SCranlOn eC laes snes ese en eee eee sl eae ae 770 1,154
WrestiPascaroula Reet) Meuh oleae eee ei aaa ee ADS eee Ne 4,522 285 16, 948
Deer Island) Mast Pombo 3 sense sees e cea eee 920 1,786 1,400 329 4,435
Small patches, Biloxi Bay .........-..--.-..--------- 1,385 847 2,400 8 4,640
Biloxi Bay, below railway bridge.............--.-.-- 10,098 12,932 3,672 442 27,144
Back ‘Bary; east bodes Hivos i ae ee ees BL 7,221 528 1,008 231 8,988
Back Baya westbeds sane. soccer tee enter ae ace 6, 206 680 2, 255 20 9,161

PENS ba le Wee shat ee Sis ENGEL ap EE ODE 50,203 | 29,828] 34,511 3,697 | 118, 239

Fifty-four per cent, or 63.871 bushels of the larger oysters dis- .
closed by the survey were found in the region adjacent to the mouth
of Pascagoula River. Of these, 24,373 bushels were in dense growth,
13,055 bushels scattering, 23,776 bushels very scattering, and 2,667
bushels on the depleted bottom. The remaining 54,368 bushels,
constituting about 46 per cent of the total, were in Biloxi Bay, where
25,830 bushels occurred as dense growth, 16,773 bushels as scattering,
10,735 bushels as very scattering, and but 1,030 bushels were on the
so-called depleted bottom.

The average product per acre on the beds near Pascagoula River
was 221 bushels on the dense, 113 bushels on the scattering, 45
bushels on the very scattering, and 7 bushels on the depleted bottoms.

In Biloxi Bay the averages are 249 bushels per acre on the dense
growth, 117 busheis on the scattering, 48 bushels on the very scatter-
ing, and 9 bushels on the depleted bottom. It is therefore evident
that the oysters on the areas classed as very scattering and de-
pleted are so sparsely distributed that they are at present negligible
commercially on account of the time and labor which would be
involved in tonging them. About 72 per cent of the oyster pro-
ducing bottom is, therefore, to be regarded as of no present producing
value. The remaining 28 per cent of the area of the beds produces
oysters in sufficient quantity to warrant a fishery if size only is
considered, but many of the oysters are so badly clustered and so
inferior in quality that they have very little value. This is partic-
ularly the case on Scranton and West Pascagoula Reefs.

The only good oysters seen in that vicinity were in the deep water
of Pascagoula River, where singles and small clusters are taken in -
limited quantity. In Biloxi Bay not only is the average productive-
ness of the dense and scattered growth greater, but the areas of these
growths are greater in proportion to the total extent of the beds, and
the oysters are of somewhat better quality.

ms

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 25

The dense and scattered growths, but especially the former, are
doubtless somewhat more prolific than is estimated in this report, as
where the oysters are very rank the tongs in many cases do not take
up all within the extent of the “grab,” and as the estimates are based
on the area covered by the open tong heads and the number of oysters
brought up in a definite number of grabs, there is certainty of an
underestimate. On less prolific bottom this error does not occur.
It should be stated that the bushel employed, while of the legal dimen-
sions, contains more than the trade bushel, because to secure uni-
formity of results the oysters are culled into singles or doubles and
carefully packed in the measure. It is estimated that it holds, for
this reason, 25 to 30 per cent more than when filled in the ordinary
way. The small oysters, on which the future of the beds is in large
measure dependent, differ from the larger oysters very materially in
their distribution, as is shown in the following table:

SUMMARIZED CONTENT OF YOUNG OySTERS ON PuBLIC BEDs.

Character of oyster growth.
Name of bed. Total.
Scatter- Very
Dense. AS scatter- |Depleted.
ing.
Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels. | Bushels.
PPAR COMUROB Fos oe: a2 2-24 Ihe obs oss oe oi eee ieee wae 32, 560 46, 935 82,812 7,074 169, 381
Pavshes near Scranton Heels... 2.2.2.2 yesesecceceees [se edsceeee 2,070 2,700 32 4,802
Wy est Pascagoula Reef- ios o.-- 22 -a- Hodes 20. cecx= roi Bt 1 Be ere 21,063 26, 505 137, 099
Weer Island) Mast Point, 222. ....... 2822.2 20.2 Lb. 670 399 1,015 47 2,131
Pinal patches, Biloxd Bay...) 122 tion. beta ames ations 600 693 2,280 33 3, 606
Biloxi Bay, below railway bridge................-.- 6, 120 14, 840 2,652 4,238 27,850
eck bay, OASp DE0 ee cee cars Sear cee ces eweete y= 3,277 372 4,104 987 8, 740
ack ‘Bay; west bedii:. .22.5 .isstbs-. confab adehace- 8,091 175 15, 621 280 24, 167
petals. Ses ee eel OB! wee pio ea PS ig ne by | 140,849 | 65,484] 132,247] 39,196] 377,776
|

It will be observed that in the entire region surveyed there is over
three times the quantity of small oysters as of large ones, but if the
table be subjected to analysis it will be found that they are very
unequally distributed between the Pascagoula and Biloxi localities,
Of the total 377,776 bushels, 311,282 bushels, or over 82 per cent, are
found in the former, and but 66,494 bushels, or less than 18 per cent,
in the latter. In the former there is nearly five times the quantity
less than 3 inches long that there is of larger ones, while in Biloxi Bay
there is but little difference. On Scranton and West Pascagoula
Reefs and the adjacent small patches there are averages of 1,061
bushels per acre on the dense growth, 426 bushels on the scattering,
200 bushels on the very scattering, and 92 bushels on what is called
depleted bottom. In other words, for every bushel of oysters of
market size there are on the dense areas 4.8 bushels of small ones,
on the scattering growth 3.8 bushels, on the very scattering growth
4.4 bushels, and on the depleted bottom 13 bushels.

26 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI.

On the beds of Biloxi Bay, taken as a whole, the dense areas con-
tain 184 bushels of small oysters per acre, the scattering 115 bushels,
the very scattering 115 bushels, and the depleted 48 bushels. Com-
paring the quantity of small and large oysters, the areas of dense
growth have 0.7 bushel of the former to each bushel of the latter, the
scattering growth 1 bushel, the very scattermg growth 2.5 bushels,
and the depleted bottom 5.6 bushels.

As % requires more small oysters than large ones to make a bushel,
and as the value of the small ones depends upon their potentiality to
grow into large ones, the proportion between the numbers of small
and large is of more importance than the comparison of their quanti-
ties. This proportion for each class of growth on each bed is shown
in the following table:

NUMBER oF OysteRS UNDER 3 IncHES LONG FoR EacH ONE OVER THAT LENGTH
ON THE SEVERAL BEDS.

—

Character of oyster growth.

Name of bed.
Very
Dense. Scatter- scatter- Depleted.
B- ing.
Serantom RR eetese ay scien aes es ee elle Siem Pap ais 6. 07 8.70 10. 12 7. 28
Patches near, StrantomiReehs 232 ue oe. essen ease aleciee secs 6. 16 17. 13 3.00
WiestiPasedgoulaReefis see. one eee eciecec eee e 16895 ee. eet ee 10. 70 227.71
Deenlsland Mast Pointe fsa seen os -eeecen/sae ce 1. 67 2 1.62 - 46
Small patches, Biloxi Bay .................-....------- 99 1.86 2. 9.30
Biloxi Bay, below railway bridge .................--..- 1.38 2. 62 1.63 22. 00
BaekBayieastiped sae se) eke 2 a eS a ie 1.03 1. 62 9. 28 9.6
Back Bay; westibedtt2i3. 2) ee ee cl 2. 98 59 15. 76 40. 00

Analyzing this table by regions, 1t is found that on the beds in the
vicinity of Pascagoula River for every oyster 3 inches or more in
length there are on the dense growth about 11 small ones, on the
scattering 8, on the very scattering 11, and on the depleted bottom
28. Most of these are between 2 and 3 inches long. On the beds in
Biloxi Bay there are respectively 1.6 small oysters to each large one
on the dense growth, 2 on the scattering growth, 5.3 on the very
scattermg growth, and 12 on the depleted bottom.

In Biloxi Bay the proportion of small to large oysters is in no way
unusual. On the areas of dense and scattermg growth the propor-
tions are such as indicate a normal condition of the beds, although
there is a deficiency of small oysters on the scattered growth of Deer
Island and Back Bay west beds. The high proportion of young on
the depleted areas of certain beds is due not to their unusual abund-
ance but to the scarcity of the larger ones with which they are
compared, as may be seen by the detailed tables contained in the
descriptions of the individual beds.

On the beds at the mouth of Pascagoula River the condition is
different. There the small oysters are superabundant almost every-

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 27

where. There appear to be three conceivable explanations of this
preponderance—(a) an extraordinary set of spat in the year preceding
the survey following the destruction of the beds by freshets or other
causes, (b) an unusually heavy set of spat without the destruction
of the mature oysters, and (c) an average condition with respect to
spat production, but general conditions of environment which prevent
or retard the normal growth of the oysters.

Judging from the appearance of the reefs and such information as
it was possible to obtain concerning their history it appears that the
third is the true explanation of the unsatisfactory state of the oysters.
While the spatting conditions are good there is apparently a deficiency
of the food requisite for the growth and fattening of the dense oyster
population. The oysters are crowded in clusters and the individuals
are unable to secure the requisite amount of nutriment. The planting
of oysters on the bottom adjoining the original bed of Scranton Reef
accentuated the trouble and was ill advised. Better success probably
would have attended planting in deeper water and where the tidal
flow is stronger.

These beds densely crowded with small and inferior oysters are of no
immediate commercial value. Apparently their only use is for seed
beds from which the small oysters might be transplanted to localities
more favorable for growth.

BARREN BOTTOMS.

The area of barren bottoms—that is, those which are not naturally
productive of oysters even in small quantities—vastly exceeds that of
the natural beds, including in the latter those so-called depleted areas
which bear practically nothing. ‘These bottoms are barren, mainly
because of one character in which they differ from the productive
areas—namely, that they are devoid of shells or other objects lying on
the surtace. They consist of sand and mud of varying degrees of
stability and consistency. Oysters, immediately after they develop
from the egg, for a brief period swim or float freely in the water,
settling to a fixed condition only after they reach a stage of consid-
erable development.?

It is not necessary to give more detail to this subject other than to
say that at the time at which they are undergoing fixation the oysters
are very minute, and a slight film of mud or slime is sufficient to stifle
them. During the spawning season these little organisms are present
in the water in untold myriads and are precipitated to the bottom in
a continuous gentle drizzle of tiny specks. If they fall on an oyster
bed they find firm supports on the shells and oysters, attach them-
selves and grow, but if they fall on the mud or bare sand they die.

a For a more extended account see ‘Oysters and methods of oyster culture,” by H. F. Moore, Bureau
of Fisheries Document 349, which may be obtained by application to the Bureau at Washington, D.C.

28 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI.

The natural beds have been slowly developed on bottom similar
to that which surrounds them solely because through some agency
there originally lodged on the mud or sand some hard objects to which
the young oysters could safely cling. Oysters developing there and
their shells scattered about by the waves furnished additional
places for fixation of new generations of young, with the result that
the original growth extended in area and its bed became a compact
mass of shells and fragments, beneath which can still be found by
excavation or probing the original bottom differing in no essential
particular from the adjacent barren areas.

All that is required by the barren bottom in order that it may
become productive is that its suriace should be supplied with hard
objects or cultch, either through natural agencies or by the hand of
man. The capacity of the bottom to sustain material deposited on
it and to maintain it in proper condition to serve as cultch depends
largely on its stability and consistency. Moving sands gradually
cover objects deposited on their surface and soft mud permits them
to sink. It is therefore of prime importance for the oyster culturist
to have information concerning the character of the bottom, and it
was one of the purposes of the survey to supply it.

The methods and the instrument employed have been described in
the introductory part of this report and the results attained are shown
graphically on the chart.

The symbols on the chart designating the character of the bottom
do not show all of the places at which examinations were made.
They were merely representative of the general characteristics in their
vicinity with respect to the bottom deposits. It will be observed
that the chart shows, in general, a gradually increasing softness of
the bottom toward the middle of the sound. The survey in the
adjoining part of Alabama demonstrated that the very soft or oozy
mud extends nearly to the islands on the south, adjoining which there
is a narrow strip of sand, and, in view of the apparently similar con-
ditions in Mississippi and the limited time at the disposal of the
party, it was deemed unnecessary to continue the examinations
beyond the line at which it was evident that the bottom was growing
too soft for oyster culture.

Excluding the shoal waters near shore, which it is understood are
to a considerable extent subject to the control of riparian owners, the
firmer bottom lies within five general areas, embracing about 23,000
acres, which are described as follows:

Grand Batture Shoal_—This shoal extends in a curve, concave,
toward the east, from the west end of Grand Batture Spit to a beacon
in about 8 feet of water near the middle of the sound. The shoal
itself lies in a depth of 6 feet or less and is composed of more or less
shifting sand, apparently too unstable for oyster culture, but sur-

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 29

rounding it, especially between its eastern margin and the Mississippi-
Alabama line, the sand is mingled with sufficient mud to give it the
required consistency. This firm bottom lies in a depth of between 8
and 12 feet and covers an area of about 4,200 acres. It is fairly well
protected from freshets and is of a character which should permit it
to be worked with dredges.

Point auz Chenes.—Lying south and southwest of the western half
of Point aux Chenes is a strip of stiff and soft mud stretching from
the hard sand fringing the shore to a distance of about 14 miles from
land and with a length of upward of 2 miles east and west. Its
western extremity is near Beacon B marking the approach to Pas-
cagoula. The depth of water ranges from 6 to 13 or 14 feet and the
area of the tract is about 2,000 acres. This bottom is softer than
that previously described, but a considerable part of it is suitable for
planting either oysters or cultch. Its proximity to the mouth of
Pascagoula makes it susceptible to the influences of freshets.

East of Round Island.—Adjacent to Round Island, especially on the
east and south sides, is a sandy shoal gradually merging with the
surrounding mud. The sandy bottom in depths of less than 5 or 6
feet appears to be shifting, but in the deeper water to the eastward
toward the Pascagoula Channel there is sufficient mud to serve as a
“binder,” and enough sand to correct the excessive plasticity of the
mud. In consistency this bottom varies from “hard” to “soft,”
most of it being what is designated in this report as ‘‘stiff.’’ This
area, which covers about 1,300 acres, is open to the same objection
as the area of Point aux Chenes—its exposure to the effects of freshets
owing to its proximity to the mouth of Pascagoula River.

Off Bellefontaine Coast.—From about 1 mile west of the mouth of
Graveline Bayou there is a strip of more or less hard bottom stretch-
ing almost without interruption to Biloxi Channel, but for conven-
ience of description it appears advisable to divide it at the shoal run-
ning from the east end of Deer Island. The portion here described
is a curved strip about 5 miles long and from 1 to 3 miles wide encir-
cling the shoal projecting from Bellefontaine Coast. It lies in water
from 6 to 11 feet deep and varies in consistency from stiff to soft.
In shoaler water the bottom is composed of hard sand liable to shift
and in deeper water the mud is too soft. Owing to its proximity to
Dog Keys Pass and its relative remoteness from large fresh-water
affluents, it is subject to less danger than the preceding two localities
in times of flood. Jt covers an area of approximately 6,500 acres.

Off Deer Island.—vhis area stretches from the western end of the
preceding to the dredged channel leading to Biloxi, outside the sandy
area fringing the shore and forming a bar at the eastern end of the
island. In depths less than 6 feet the bottom probably shifts more
or less under the influence of waves and currents, and is therefore

30 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI.

hazardous for oyster culture, although a few natural growth oysters
are found on it in places. Fn depths between 6 and 9 or 10 feet, and
probably somewhat greater, there is a good stiff and soft bottom,
most of the area falling within the former classification. Although
it is impossible to determine definitely without actual practical
experiment, this area, which covers upward of 9,000 acres, appears
to be well adapted to oyster culture. The streams discharging in its
immediate vicinity are comparatively small, and it is in proximity to
Dog Key and Ship Island Passes, therefore being guarded to a con-
siderable extent from destructive reduction of salinity during freshets.
The greater salinity might invite the inroads of drills or conchs, but
this danger could be somewhat minimized by planting seed oysters
rather than cultch.

GENERAL PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS.
TIDES AND CURRENTS.

During the hydrographic and biological survey tide gauges were
maintained at Pascagoula and Biloxi. The former was a plain staff,
graduated in feet and tenths, established at the end of the boathouse
at the light keeper’s house at the mouth of the Pascagoula River. The
automatic gauge established by the United States Army engineers was
out of order and there was no bench mark available for reference.
Mean low water was established by readings from February 7 to
March 14, and by comparison with observations made simultaneously
during 20 days at Biloxi.

At Biloxi a similar gauge was observed from February 21 to March
12, the mean low water being established by reference to the United
States engineers’ gauges on channel beacons A and D, which have been
referred by leveling to the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey
bench mark.

The observations were made primarily for the correction of the
soundings, and as the daily tidal range is small, usually about 18

inches, they are of little interest in connection with oyster culture or
the fishery. The tidal currents in the region are more or less modified
in velocity and duration by the winds, which often mask the lunar
tides. In general the currents are sufficient to maintain the distribu-
tion of oyster food.

SALINITY OF THE WATER.

The quantity of saline matter in solution in the water is an im-
portant factor in determining the growth and character of oysters.
Tf salt be absent entirely, or if its quantity be as great as that carried
by the waters of the open sea, oysters will not live, and as these two
extremes are approached the adverse effects are seen in the stunted

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 31

or otherwise inferior character of the oysters produced. The effects
of the salinity of the water are not restricted to the direct influence
on the oysters, but may affect them indirectly by furthering or retard-
ing the occurrence of enemies and growths inimical to them. The
conch, or drill, for instance, does not thrive in water having a low
salt content, while, on the contrary, mussels, the vigorous growth
of which is highly detrimental to oysters, often flourish in low
salinities.

During the survey the specific gravity of the water was tested thrice
daily on the Fish Hawk and im addition several observations were
made each day by the party actually working on the beds. The fol-
lowing table summarizes the results of these observations:

Sprciric GRAVITY OF WATER AT VARIOUS PLACES AND DaTES.

Average | Average | Maximum | Minimum
Locality. Date. tempera-| specific specific specific
ture. gravity. gravity. gravity.

1910-11 i

Or Point aux Chenesi.....645.. 022. - Feb. 9-11...... 63 1.0190 1.0204 1.0164
Feb. 14-16..... 67 1.0170 1.0194 1.0129

IPASGAE OUI MISS... iS 7ovemeusawgennas cs. Dec. 24-27..... 49 1.0196 1.0209 1.0187
Jan. 20-24. .... 61 1.0122 1.0154 1.0106

Jan. 29-31. .... 65 1.0169 1.0188 1.0152

Feb. 1-4....... 67 1.0121 1.0156 1. 0063

Feb. 5-8...:-.- 71 1.0136 1.0173 1.0075

Feb. 12-14..... 61 1.0136 1.0180 1. 0084

Mar. 6-8....... 66 1.0168 1.0178 1.0189

; Apr. 2-4....... 70 1.0152 1.0190 1.0140.
Three miles south of Graveline Bayou....| Feb. 16-18..... 68 1.0175 1.0194 1.0133
Mar. 13-14..... 65 1.0209 1.0210 1.0208

Three miles off Biloxi Bay...........--...- Heb: ih9. 027225 70 1.0178 1. 0207 1.0138
Three miles southwest of Deer Island..... Mar. 4-6..... fu 63 1.0189 1.0196 1.0182
Mari8ti sie. .0 69 1.0198 1.0212 1.0184

Mar. 11-13..... wil 1.0193 1.0203 1.0187

ORE an Seki wie slecacwewe cule ac doveelad Feb. 20-23..... 54 1.0151 1.0177 1.0118
Feb. 24-27.. 58 1.0150 1.0156 1.0129

Feb. 98-Mar. a 63 1.0170 1.0186 1.0127

Mar. 9-10...... 68 1.0187 1.0192 1.0182

This table embraces observations made at intervals between De-
cember 24, 1910, and April 4, 1911, part of the period, from January
20 to March 10, being covered with practically no interruption.
During this time the specific gravity varied from a maximum of
1.0210 off the mouth of Graveline Bay on March 14 to a minimum of
1.0063 at Pascagoula on February 4, and the local averages for
periods of several days ranged with time or place between 1.0209 off
Graveline Bayou on March 13 and 14 to 1.0121 at Pascagoula on
February 1 to February 4. These figures compare with fresh water
as 1.0000 and ocean water as 1.0250 or 1.0260. The minima shown
in the table all occurred at low water and the maxima at or near high
water. The lowest readings were taken in Pascagoula River, the
station being located at the railroad bridge, where there was a con-
siderable difference between the salinity of successive high and low
waters. The highest average, as well as the lowest daily fluctuation,

77630°—13——

32 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI.

was found off Deer Island, near Biloxi. Nowhere during the survey
was the salinity above or below that which oysters will tolerate,
although in Pascagoula River it sometimes fell below that at which
good marketable stock is ordinarily produced. In times of prolonged
and very heavy rainfall undoubtedly the water in Pascagoula River
becomes entirely or practically fresh, and the influence of its discharge
must be felt in a pronounced reduction of the salinity of the sound
near its mouth.

OYSTER FOOD.

In reports on previous surveys a feature usually has been made of
the subject of the quantity of oyster food carried by the waters.
These discussions have been confined, practically, to diatoms, minute
microscopic plants, which authors generally have been prone to
regard as supplying practically all of the oyster’s nutriment. Volu-
metric studies of the micro-organism content of the water begun in
connection with the survey of Matagorda Bay * in 1905 revealed a
quantity so small as to excite the author’s suspicion that the living
matter was of less relative importance than had been generally
supposed.

It appeared possible, however, that the quantity of water filtered
by the oyster might be greater than generally supposed and digestion
more rapid, and that despite appearances the small quantity of
microscopic living organisms in the water and present in the stomach
at any one time might be sufficient material for the growth and gen-
eral physiological activities of a sluggish animal like the oyster.

To test the matter, apparatus and methods ® were devised for the
volumetric determination of the organisms actually eaten during
comparable periods of time. The result of this work, which has been
carried on at intervals for several years by the author and Mr. T. E. B.
Pope, has shown that while the quantity of water filtered is great,
averaging roughly about 30 quarts daily for oysters 44 inches long,
the volume of the living food is insufficient to account for the actual

_growth of the oyster, making no allowance for the requirements of
other vital activities. It appears that finely divided organic debris
or detritus, which constitutes the major part of the material ingested,
plays a more important role in the oyster diet than has been con-
ceded, a view which recently has been advanced by Petersen and
Jensen.”
; a Survey of oyster bottoms in Matagorda Bay, Tex. By H. F. Moore. Report of the Bureau of Fish-
eries, 1905. Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 610.
‘6 Volumetric studies of the food and feeding of oysters. By Il. F. Moore. (Proceedings of the Fourth
oe Fishery Congress, Washington, 1908.) Bulletin, Bureau of Fisheries, vol. Kxvm, 1908, pp.

c Valuation of the sea. I.—Animal life of the sea bottom, its food and quantity. By C. G. Joh. Petersen
and P. Boysen Jensen. Report of the Danish Biological Station, XX. Copenhagen, 1911.

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 33

In view of these facts and probabilities, and the present impossi-
bility of establishing a standard for the expression of the quantity
of food available, the data respecting the food content of the water
collected during this survey will not be stated here. A special paper
on the entire subject of the food and feeding of oysters will be issued
on the completion of the studies.

It may be stated from observation of the oysters and on general
grounds that the food supply in Mississippi Sound and minor con-
tiguous waters is ample.

OYSTER ENEMIES.

As the survey was carried on during the early spring, when the
water was still comparatively cold, the observations made are prob-
ably not to be regarded as a reliable index to the abundance of oyster
enemies. None were observed but a few drills, mostly small, and an
insignificant number of mussels. The low temperature of the water
could have had but little effect on the latter, and it is fair to assume
that ordinarily they are nowhere present in sufficient numbers to
prove seriously detrimental to the oysters.

As observations on other parts of the Gulf coast have shown that
certain enemies to the oyster are of general occurrence, it appears
advisable to furnish some general information respecting them.

Drill, borer, snail, whelk, conch (Purpura hemostoma).—This animal,
which bears these several names on the Gulf coast, was found very
sparingly during the survey in Mississippi waters, and there was
little other indication of its presence. A few small ones were taken
on Scranton Reef and in Biloxi Bay, but in neither place was there
found a sufficient number of drilled oyster shells to indicate that it
had been recently abundant. It is liable to occur, however, espe-
cially in the more saline water, and care should be exercised not to
introduce it with seed oysters from infested beds.

The drill or whelk lays its eggs in red or purple leathery capsules
about one-half inch long and attached in clusters to shells, snags, and
other firm bodies in the water. The young become destructive to
the minute spat immediately upon emerging from the egg cases; they
prow rapidly and progress in destructiveness as they increase in size.
They destroy the oysters by drilling a small round hole through the
shell, using for the purpose a flexible rasp-like organ lying at the end
of a protrusible proboscis. After the shell is perforated the proboscis
is thrust into the shell and the contents eaten, other drills sometimes
partaking of the feast by entering the gaping shell of the dead or
dying oyster. Most of the oysters destroyed are under 2 inches long,
but large drills often kill more adult oysters.

Mussels —The common black sea mussel is a passive enemy of
oysters, through its tendency to attach to them and under favorable

34 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI.

conditions to grow so rapidly and im such numbers as to completely
cover and stifle them. Also, as its food is the same’ as that of the
oyster, its abundance reduces the supply and in that way deprives
the oyster of the nutriment required to make it fat and marketable.
Even when neither of these effects are important, mussels injure the
fishery, owing to the tenacity with which they are anchored to the

oyster, which increases the labor of culling and makes the oyster so
unsightly from the adhering fibers of the byssus as to considerably
reduce its market value if sold as shell stock. The conditions
which make for the abundance of the mussel are not thoroughly
understood, but on the Gulf coast it appears to be controlled largely
‘by the saltness of the water, the mussels generally flourishing where
the salinity is low for prolonged periods. Comparatively few were
‘found in the region surveyed, and it is probable that they never or
rarely become troublesome on account of the high salimity frequently
occurring. .

Drumfish (Pogontas cromis) —This, the ‘‘black drum,” was not
‘observed during the survey, but it is a destructive enemy a the oyster
in other parts of the Gulf coast and is reported to destroy oysters
on the adjacent beds of Alabama. It is migratory, making sudden
forays and leaving, with destruction in its wake, often before its pres-
ence has been noted: It destroys the oysters by crushing them
between the stout grinding teeth or bones with which its mouth
is furnished, and it is peculiarly destructive to the better grade of
‘planted beds on which the oysters have been culled and separated
to permit them to grow and improve in shape and quality. It is
especially likely te attack the culled oysters within a few weeks of
the time when they are planted, but they are not immune at any time.
In Louisiana the drumfish is so destructive in places that the oyster-
men find it necessary to exclude them by surrounding their bedding
grounds with wire fences.

Gysters in the natural beds, especially when they are much clus-
tered and of the sharp-edged raccoon type, are rarely injured seri-
ously, as the sharp edges of the shells, presented in all directions,
lacerate the lips and mouth of the fish and deter them from exten-
sive destruction. Occasionally the small oysters culled off nie the
oystermen are damaged.

The drumfish occurs in waters of all degrees of salinity, from fresh
or practically fresh to full oceanic density.

SPAWNING.

The survey was conducted at the season when the reproductive
functions of the oysters are in abeyance, and therefore no definite
statement of the spawning season in Mississippi can be made. Vari-
ous investigations carried on by the Bureau at the western end of

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 35

Mississippi Sound, where the general conditions affecting spawning
are essentially the same as at the eastern end, make it possible to
indicate with some precision the period during which the spawn is
likely to be emitted.

It is probable that the eggs may ripen even in the winter during
sustained warm periods, but it is doubtful in these cases, even though
the eggs be fertilized, if development ever proceeds far enough to
secure a set of spat. The normal spawning probably occurs from
April to October, as it does in similar waters in Louisiana, and clean
shells or other cultch planted during those months should receive
a good set of spat. The young oysters are free-swimming organisms
during a short period of their early life, and as they are produced in
untold myriads on the crowded natural beds and carried considerable
distances by the currents, the water over a large part of the sound
must be teeming with the fry during the favorable part of the year.
Most of these embryo oysters perish through falling on unsuitable
bottom at the stage of the shell formation when they are still barely
visible to the unaided eye, and may be stifled by an exceedingly thin
deposit of mud or slime. Those fortunate enough to alight on
shells or other oysters and similar firm supports survive in large
numbers, as is witnessed by the crowded condition of the beds,
but over the vastly greater proportion of the bottom there is nothing
to afford a haven. The only fundamental difference between an
oyster bed and the surrounding barren bottom is that the former
presents places for the attachment of the spat and the latter does not.

Many free-swimming oyster fry are also killed by sudden drops in
temperature, though this is not common on the Gulf coast, and by
heavy rainfalls. The latter also tend to retard or suspend spawning
through lowering the salinity of the water, and it frequently happens
that heavy freshets defer spawning until summer. As freshets
usually leave the shells and other cultch in excellent condition so far
as cleanliness is concerned, probably through the destruction of slime-
producing organisms, it frequently happens that a late spawning
season produces an enormous set.

OYSTER CULTURE.

Oyster culture in the sense employed on the Atlantic and Pacific
coasts and in some of the Gulf States is almost negligible of consider-
ation, as at present practiced in Mississippi. The State conducts
planting operations on the public bottoms, expending large sums
annually during the years 1908 to 1911 in depositing oysters and
shells on the reefs and adjacent barren bottoms, but there is very little
oyster planting under private auspices, and none at all excepting
under rights accruing to riparian owners. In 1911, but 4 per cent of
the oysters produced in the State came from private beds, a smaller

36 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI.

proportion than in any other Gulf State excepting Texas. In Loui-
siana, in the same year, 44 per cent of the oysters produced were
grown on bottom rented from the State, and the yield from this source
alone was three times the quantity, and over four times the value,
of the entire product of Mississippi.

Most of the planting by the State was west of the region covered
by the survey, but large quantities of shells and oysters have been
deposited on Scranton Reef and the Biloxi Bay beds, the condition
of which was developed during the present investigation, and is pre-
sented in some detail in the preceding part of this report. It is the
opinion of the author that the survey developed the almost complete
futility of the State’s policy so far as the region east of Biloxi is con-
cerned. Pascagoula or Scranton Reef, and West Pascagoula Reef
were practically worthless as market oyster producers during the win-
ter and spring of 1910-11. During a considerable period of observa-
tion no boats, excepting one or two small skiffs, were seen on the
former, and but one schooner on the latter. The oysters were badly
clustered, ill shaped, and poor in every way. During the calendar
year 1911 about 28,000 bushels of oysters were taken by small boats
from the vicinity of Pascagoula. Some of these came from the Pasca-
goula River, where they are of good quality, and the remainder are
reported to have come from the adjacent reefs.

In Biloxi Bay the conditions are somewhat better, but still poor.
Deer Island bed produces fairly good oysters, but on all of the other
beds the stock was rough, clustered and generally inferior, although
the presence of a number of tongers on the large bed below the railroad
bridge and on the east bed above the bridge indicates that it finds
some market.

The laws of Mississippi do not permit the lease of barren bottoms
for oyster culture, but in its report for 1911 the Board of Oyster
Commissioners recommended ‘that they be given the right by law to
lease to private individuals, firms, and corporations, citizens of the
State, for a term of years to be fixed by the legislature, barren bot-
toms suitable for planting oysters, on such terms and at such prices
as the legislature may fix.’”’? With this recommendation the author
is in hearty accord, but he believes that the further suggestions that
the extent of the leaseholds be limited to 100 acres for each person,
firm, and corporation, and that the annual rental be fixed at $1 per
acre are not sufficiently liberal. Although this survey indicates that
in the region covered upwards of 23,000 acres of the bottom are pre-
sumptively suitable for oyster culture, it should be remembered that
until practical test is actually made there is no conclusive evidence
that they are suited for the purpose. For this reason the first plant-
ings must be in the nature of experiments with the possibility of
failure. In view of this, and to induce the undertaking, the rental

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 37

_ during the first few years should be low, gradually increasing to a
maximum of $1 per acre after time has been granted for the deter-
mination of the commercially feasibility of the project under any
given lease. If the practicability of private oyster culture should
be demonstrated it would then be advisable to permit a somewhat
larger holding than 100 acres, so as to remove any inclination to
plant too thickly and thus cause deterioration of the stock.

Doubtless the point will be raised that if the State’s planting opera-
tions have been less successful than was hoped, the same result will
accrue in respect to private undertakings. This does not follow. It
is well known that a tenant is usually less careful of the soil than is
the owner of a farm, and that a municipality always manages its
affairs less efficiently than a private individual or corporation.
Abundant experience has shown, as a knowledge of human nature
would lead one to predict, that private oyster beds are more carefully
and successfully managed than are public ones. They produce more,
and the oysters are better. In Mississippi, in 1911, the average price
of plants was twice that of oysters from the public beds, and genera]
experience has shown that the better and higher-priced oysters can
find a market when the inferior, low-priced stock is begging for a
buyer.

Oyster culture consists of more than throwing a lot of oysters or
shells on an old reef or tract of barren bottom. The planted material
must be properly distributed with due regard to the character of the
bottom, and seed oysters must be properly separated from the natural
clusters, else they will crowd one another as they grow, many of them
will die and the survivors be poor in shape and quality. If through
growth and subsequent sets of spat they become too dense on the
bottom, they must be judiciously thinned and transplanted, and they
must be guarded as much as possible from enemies and from persons
taking them illegally. A private planter hopirig to reap the reward
of his care and industry will see to these things, but the public in
dealing with a common property is indifferent, or worse, and the re-
sults are unsatisfactory even though the State may spend considerable
sums to make it otherwise.

Aside from its production of much-needed foodstuff and its increase
in the wealth production of the body politic as a whole, which are the
important considerations, oyster culture has the additional advan-
tage of economy in State administration. The care of the public
beds is a constant avenue of State outlay. The leasing of barren and
naturally unproductive bottom is a source of State revenue.

In all States in which there are natural beds of considerable ex-
panse the major part of the expenditures of oyster-law administration
are in their behalf. The production of revenue is not the chief con-
cern when the welfare of industry and the conservation of a food supply

38 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI.

are concerned, but when the people of the State at large are called on
to pay the bills, in whole or in part, it is a legitimate and proper subject
for consideration.

Finally, the welfare of the public beds and of those obtaining a live-
lihood from them is not threatened by the encouragement of oyster
culture, as with respect to them there need be no change in the policy
of the State. If care be taken to exclude the natural beds from leas-
ing, it is probable that they even may be benefited by oyster culture
on the barren bottom, and it is reasonably certain that, as has been the
case in other parts of the country, a number of those now working
on them will become oyster planters if opportunity be given them, thus
replacing their present more or less precarious and uncertain livelihood
by a more assured and regular as well as more profitable calling.

It is not necessary to discuss in detail the methods of oyster culture,
as a special pamphlet? on the subject may be obtained on application
to the Bureau of Fisheries. It appears advisable, however, to indi-
cate briefly the two general methods open to prospective oyster grow-
ers in Mississippi, the planting, or more properly transplanting, of
young oysters from the natural or other beds and the deposit of shells
or similar materials to which the spat may attach.

As has been shown in the preceding pages, certain of the beds are so
densely crowded with small oysters that few of them have chance to
develop into marketable stock. Transplanting a considerable number
of these from judiciously selected places to barren bottoms should
not only result in saving a considerable proportion of the plants but
would improve the living conditions of those left on the reefs and
permit them therefore to become as good as is possible under their
environment. For ordinary cannery purposes the seed oysters would
require but rough culling, but if it is desired to produce oysters for
shucking or shell stock the clusters should be well broken up, so that
the individuals are not at all crowded as they grow. It is not neces-
sary to separate them into single oysters, and where the drumfish is
likely to occur it is advisable not to do so. In general, it is desirable
to plant seed oysters at least 2 inches long in the more salt water
where the drillis found, as those of smaller size and thinner shells
are likely to be killed. For the same reason spat setting on the
shells rarely survives in drill-infested regions, and the culled seed
is not likely to become overgrown with many young. Should oyster
culture reach considerable magnitude in the State, or the natural beds
become depleted of superfluous young, it will be necessary to resort
to shell or other cultch planting to secure a set of spat. This should
be conducted in the fresher waters where the drill is least likely to be
found, and the material planted, in order to prevent the formation
of large clusters, should be in as small pieces as will suffice as collectors.

—

a Oysters and methods of oyster culture. By H. F. Moore. Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 349.

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 39

The section of this report dealing with the barren bottoms, together
with the chart, should be consulted for the location of areas on which
experiments in oyster culture may be undertaken with some assurance
of success. The regions off Deer Island and east of Grand Batture
Shoal are probably the most promising. On each of these the depth
and the character of the bottom are such that the beds could be
worked with light dredges, and both appear to be adapted to the
growth of oysters from seed. The work should be conducted as an
experiment in the beginning, and not on a scale so large as to entail
heavy loss if some of the conditions should unexpectedly prove
unfavorable.

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

The following pages briefly review the conditions developed by the
survey, with the deductions and recommendations based on them.

1. The survey included that part of Mississippi Sound lying be-
tween the Alabama-Mississippi boundary and Biloxi, being practicaliy
restricted to the County of Jackson, although including a small part
of Harrison County in the vicinity of Biloxi.

2. Within these limits there are embraced natural beds aggregating
about 1,708 acres, of which 475 acres, classed as bearing dense and
scattering growth, bear oysters of marketable size in sufficient quanti-
ties to support a fishery. On part of this area, however, the quality
was too poor at the time of the survey to permit the oysters to find
a ready market at a remunerative price. On the remaining 1,233
acres large oysters are too scattered to be taken commercially with
profit.

3. It is estimated that in February and March, 1911, these beds
contained not less than about 120,000 bushels of oysters over 3 inches
long and about 375,000 bushels of smaller ones, a total of not less than
495,000 bushels of oysters of all sizes. Of this quantity, about 80,000
bushels of the larger size and an equal quantity of the smaller ones
were on those parts of the beds in which the former were present in
sufficient density of growth to warrant a commercial fishery. The
bushel measure used was the standard employed in the State, and as
the oysters were culled into singles and doubles and compactly ar-
ranged, the measure contained a larger number of oysters than is
usual in commercial practice. The data furnished is therefore con-
servative as to the content of the beds.

4. The quantity of small oysters on the beds as a whole is largely
in excess of the quantity of large ones, although on the denser areas
of market oysters in Biloxi Bay this is not the case. As, however, it
requires a larger number of small oysters to produce a given quantity,
the small oysters are nearly everywhere numerically equal to or in
excess of the large ones, the only exceptions being on some of the

40 OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI,

scattering growth areas of Biloxi Bay. On the parts of the beds
where the large oysters are most abundant the numerical proportion
of small oysters to large ones ranges from equality on the small
patches in Biloxi Bay to about 17 to 1 on West Pascagoula Reef.
Where the larger oysters are fewer the proportion is generally higher,
reaching about 228 to 1 on the so-called depleted part of West Pas-
cagoula Reef, where marketable oysters are practically absent. The
young oysters are, therefore, present on practically all of the beds
in sufficient numbers to insure the continuance of the present content
of market oysters, and the production of some of the beds, especially
those in the vicinity of Pascagoula, should be increased by a judicious
removal of some of the young.

5. The demand for oysters in Mississippi is in excess of the present
supply of good stock. While some of the natural beds in the region
east of Biloxi may be improved by rational treatment, it is not
believed that they can fill requirements. They may supply some of
the demand for cannery purposes, which do not require the highest
quality, but they can not satisfactorily fill the demand for the shuck-
ing and shell trade.

6. To satisfy this demand for an increased supply, and especially
for a better quality than the natural beds produce, the State should
enact such legislation as will permit and encourage commercial experi-
ments in oyster culture on the present barren bottoms. There are
within the limits of the survey upward of 23,000 acres of bottom
now worthless but apparently suitable in stability and other require-
ments for oyster culture. These bottoms, if experiment should con-
firm favorable opinion as to their utility, constitute a valuable asset
of the State now wasted for lack of legal authority for their rental.
This defect in the oyster laws should be corrected.

7. The Gulf coast in general has advantage over the more northern
oyster-producing States in its milder climate, which is less likely to
impose interruption to the fishery. It has the disadvantage of afford- |
ing a somewhat shorter season, owing to the shorter term of cool.
weather in which oysters can be handled without spoiling. In respect
to transportation to a large part of the interior population, it is more
favorably situated than are the States of the Atlantic seaboard. It
should also have some advantage in the shipment of seed oysters to a
considerable part of the Pacific coast.

8. The production of spat is more to be depended on than in the
great oyster-producing States of the North, in some of which the set
is liable to fail for several years in succession, entailing serious loss
on the planters. Moreover, growth is in general more rapid, and
marketable oysters are produced in half the time required on some
of the northern grounds.

OYSTER BOTTOMS OF MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI. 41

9. Oyster enemies are no more destructive than are those of the
North, and some of the worst of the latter do not cause trouble on
the Gulf coast. Disaster from freshets is more likely to occur, but
can be, to a considerable extent, guarded against by judicious choice
of location.

10. One of the most serious difficulties with which planters and
oystermen have to contend, the pollution of the public and private beds
by drainage and sewage discharges, is minimized by the absence of
large communities adjacent to the oyster bottoms. Private beds pro-
ducing oysters for the market should not be located in proximity to
sources of contamination, and floating or ‘‘fattening”’ oysters by
immersion in fresh water should be discouraged and absolutely pro-
hibited if the water used be open to suspicion of pollution. The
future of the oyster industry everywhere depends in large measure
on the guarantee of its product in respect to cleanliness and whole-
someness, and not only the State oyster commissions and boards of
health but the oystermen themselves, for both moral and business
reasons, should require that the public health be safeguarded from
the acts of the careless and unscrupulous.

11. Should a law be passed authorizing the leasing of the barren
bottoms, such leaseholds as are granted should be carefully surveyed
to determine their areas, the tracts should be regular in shape, and
the corners located by reference to the triangulation stations or land-
marks established by the Coast and Geodetic Survey. These are all
carefully determined and are permanently marked, and a strict com-
pliance with this recommendation will guarantee accuracy in the
surveys, obviate disputes, and secure an honest and correct assessment
of rental.

12. Legislation to secure these ends should be carefully drawn and
based on the experience of States in which oyster planting has been
successful from the standpoints of the planters and the State as a
whole.

O

U.S. B. F.—Doc. 774. PLATE |.

OYSTERS FROM SCRANTON REEF.

(Natural size.) :

U. S. B. F.—Doc. 774. PLATE II.

OYSTERS FROM WEST PASCAGOULA REEF.

(Natural size.)

U. S. B. F.—Doc. 774 PLATE III.

OYSTER FROM DEER ISLAND BED, BILOXI BAY.

(Natural size.)

U. S. B. F —Doe. 774. PLATE IV,

OYSTERS FROM SMALL PATCH, BILOXI BAY.

(Natural size.)

PLATE V.

Doc. 774.

UE Sp Iie

OYSTERS FROM LARGE BED, BILOXI BAY.

(Natural size. )

U.S. B. F.—Doe. 774. PLATE VI.

OYSTERS FROM BACK BAY, BILOXI.

(Natural size.)

25

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EXPLANATION
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2 | | aL + -- 2 OYSTER BOTEOMS ——

MISSISSIPPI EAST OF BILOXI

Survey by
| UNITED STATES BUREAU OF FISHERIES
January to March 1911
Under direction of

H.F. Moore, Assistant in Charge of Scientific Inquiry

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United States Coast and Geodetic Survey

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