The New York Herald Newspaper, March 12, 1853, Page 7

THE OYSTER TRADE OF NEW YORK. ‘Where do all the Hard Shells Come From? Extent of the Business in the Metropolis, Five Million Dollars Worth Sold Yearly, ade, kc, de. This is a business in which almost every person eels.an interest, for there are very few who are not s@ependent upon it for one of the most important ar- cles of{human food. Oysters were at one time yegarded as a lnxury, but they have now be- ome almost as indispensible as tea or coffee, with which our remote ancestors were but little sequainted. It is only within the last thir ty years that the oyster trade was established in this ity. Before that time, it is true, oysters were sold here; but the business transacted was exceedingly Imited, and t here was little or no inducement for persons to engage in it. Nearly all that were brought ‘to market were procured from the natural beds, for ‘the benefits to be obtained from planting were but imperfectly understood bya few of the dealers, or en- ‘firely unknown to them. In the course of a few years, however, the business grew into importance, and men ef capital and enterprise engaged in it. The planting of beds—a very essential part of the ‘wade—was commenced; the few oyster boats, of di. minutive size, engaged in supplying New York, be- eame an immense fleet; an extensive trade began with Virginia; the East river became a mine of wealth to those who worked its beds; the coasts of our bays, and the shores of our rivers were explored and given over to the tongs, the scrapers, and the dredges of fhe oystermen. It was found that by removing the oyster from its natural bed to an artificial one, it could not only be increased in size, but improved in qpality, and rendered fit for use at any period of the year. This was a very important matter to underj stand, for there are certain months when the oyster is unfit for use in consequence of its being fuil of spawn. While they remained in the natural bed they were always subject to this objection; but if not permitted to lie too long in the artificial one they could be precerved free from spawn. Although they increased in size, they seldom or never became more numerous by transplanting. Hundreds of vessels are constantly employed, during certain months, in trans- planting in the East river, in Prince’s Bay, and other parts of the waters of this State. The importance of the oyster trade may be judged from the fact that the wholesale and retail sales ex- eed five millions of dollars annually, and more than fifty thousand persons are employed in it. We in- elude in this estimate those who are eugaged on the beds, and in conveying them to market by boats, and the retail and wholesale dealers. The amount of eapital invested in boats of all sizes is estimated at about five millions of dollars, and if we add to this the value of the beds themselves, the depots, &c., the amount would exceed twelve millions. We consider it necessary to stote these few gencral facts, before going into the particulars of the trade, which we have arranged under appropriate heads. VIRGINIA OYSTERS. A large proportion of the oysters sold in and around | @atherine Market arc from Virginia. There is a cer- tain part of the year in which they arrive in great quantities, and that is from about the fifteenth of November till the first of April. It would be a tedious tack to enumerate all the varieties that come from that State, as there are no less than twenty-five er thirty. The whole sea-coast of Virginia is, in fact, ‘one vast oyster-bed, and there is not a State in the Bnion which is more productive in this delicious shellfish. Thousands of persons are employed in the fisheries, and of thece nearly all are slaves. They fare engaged in taking the oysters from the beds, or, as they are called among the initiated, the “ rocks.” It must not be supposed from this, however,, that they are found upon rocks, for in this instance, the term hasa very different meaning from that which we generally attach to it. The“ rock” from which the eysters are obtained is composed of common wea sand or mud, on the top of which they are distributed. These rocks are natural, that is, the oysters which grow upon them are not transplanted, as is the case with those brought from Prince’s Bay, on the southern coast of Staten Island. The quality of the oysters, we may state here, depends as much upon the character of the zand or mud upon which it grows, as that of any ve- | getable upon the nature of thesoil where it is planted. The number of vessels employed during the sea- gon, between November and April, in supplying the dealers in Oliver slip and other depots in the city with Virginia oysters is about one thousand, each of which is valued at an average of three thousand dollars. The crew is composed, gene- rally, of four hands and the cook, and the monthly wages given to each person varies from twelve to thirty dollars, according to his capacity. Unlike the fishermen of Fulton market, they do not own shares im the boats upon which they are employed, for their eccupation is of a very different nature. They are not engaged in the fisheries, which, as we have stated, is conducted by another class of men, and their work partakes more of the character of sailors than that of fishermen. They are required, in the transplanting of a bed, to heave the oysters overboard, 40 clean the bed about once a year, and perform va- rious other work of a like description. The cleaning of the beds takes place generally every fall, and is accomplished by means of “scrapers,” @ singular Jeoking instrument, somewhat resembling a scythe, with this exception, that at one side of the blade a Iarge bag, constructed of iron ringwork, like many purses we have seen, is attached. Into this all the | gcourings of the bed, cleaned off with the front of the blade, fall, and the whole is hauled up at regu- lar intervals and deposited in the boat, to be after. wards thrown into the current. In this manner the whole floor of the bed is seraped quite clean, after which it is considered fit for the reception of the oysters. The process of cleaning a bed is performed Dy the vessels under full sail, and it is not unusual to see several of them at work at the same time. Itis | a very laborious task, and those who are employed | at it, we have no doubt, earn their wages. A great Joss is sometimes incurred by what is called the | “sanding” of oysters, that is, by their becoming | imbedded in or covered over by the sand. This is caused by currents, or other agitation of the water, shifting the sand upon the oysters and smothering them. It may seem strange that oysters, or any shell fish which lies on the bottom, could be killed in this manner; but stch we are informed is the fact, by those who have been a long time engaged in the oyster trade. They differ materially from soft shell clams in this respect, which are found sometimes at a depth of twelve or fourteen inches below the surface of the sand. When it is discovered that the oysters are beginning to sand, the greatest despatch is requisite to save those that remain above the surface, for those below it are considered worth- less. Out of ten thousand dollars’ worth planted dering asingle season, cases have occurred in which one-fourth has been destroyed in this way. They do not, as a general thing, increase in numbers when transplanted from the “‘rock,’’ or natural bed, to an artificial one, although they become much larger in the course of u few months. The instrument used in taking them up is called a pair of tongs, not at all like the fire utensil known by that name. We can form a very true conception of its appearance by sup- posing two gigantic rakes, or garden hoes, fastened together upon a pivot ranning through the centre of the two handles, and having the tecth so arranged as to interlock when brought close together. These are used almost invariably in small boats, and when thrown over the side the two rakes are drawn as far apart as possible, and then brought together again By this operation aM the oysters lying within their reach are, as it were, scooped up between the teeth of the tongs, and afterwards thrown into the boat. ‘The oyster companies have to pay about one dollar # year ench for the privilege of planting in @ portio | ‘of Prinee’s Bay called Werd's Point, which is regard- ed as admirably adapted for the purpose. As many ‘a8 & million bushels of oysters are scattered in this favorite lecality yearly ; but it is'the only part of the Bay tor which the dealers are required to pay. Each company have their own ground marked out, and the whole space thus occupied ‘extends over ten miles in length by abont five in breadth. The depth of water varies from eight to twenty-five feet. Besides the Virginia oysters, there are several other: kinds planted in this bay, among which are the East river and Dela- ware oysters. The time of planting is abeut the lat- ter end of March, and they are allowed to remain till near the commencement of May, when they are taken up and conveyed to market. Some of the boats en- gaged in carrying them are only chartered by com- panies during the eeason of transplanting, as there is no steady business for them in this occupation the whole year round. These boats belong to persons doing business in this city and living on Staten Island; some few are in Norfolk and other places. The laws of Virginia are very strict in relation to the oyster fisheries, only those who are residents of the State being allowed the privilege of taking them during a certain period of the year. The particular law which refers to this subject is entitled ‘A law for the preservation ef certain useful animals’—the “useful animals’ in this case being oysters and ter rapins. This law provides that any person, who is not a citizen, found taking oysters or terrapinsin the waters of the State, or in the rivers Pocomoke or Potomac, shall be fined one hundred dollars. It is also very specific in regard to the man- ner in which they shall be taken, imposing a penalty of one hundred dollars upon any person who shall use any other instrument than a common oys- ter tongs with a bar or head not excecding twenty three inches in length. The same law prohibits their exportation between the first day of May and the first day of September, punishing each offence with a fine of two hundred dollars. This law is, doubtless, very necessary, when we consider the immense consumption of Virgina oys ters, not only in this State, but throughout the Union, which would, but for this salutary check, tend to de- populate the “rocks” of Virginia. The best oyster: | are thoge which come from Rappahannock and York rivers; but the quantity from these localities is very limited, as they are mostly consumed at home Those that are brought to the New York market | sell from seven to fifteen dollars a thousand, accord. ing to their quality. They are particularly remarkable for their great size, some of them being twice as large as the ordinary oyster. ‘The amount received for Virginia oysters sold by the dealers in Oliver slip alone is estimated at $250,000 ayear. This, however, is not more than one-third of the quantity disposed of in the vicinity of Catha- rine market; for the space in the slip is so limited, thatthe business of the dealers is greatly retarded and cramped. In consequence of this, the principal supply is furnished direct from the boats to the retail dealers throughout the city. About five hundred thousand dollars worth of all kinds of Virginia oys- ters are sold by the boats, which, added to the sales of the dealers, make a total of three-quarters of a million of dollars. This is an immense amount of money; but it is not more than one-eighth part of the value of all the oysters sold during the year in this city. A large proportion of these, it must be ad- mitted, are exported to different parts of the United | States, and some are even sent to England, as we | have had occasion to remark, in our last article on Fulton market. i There are very few of the wholesale dealers in Oli- yer slip who are not part owners of the oyster boats, and some eompanies own four or five. We should state here that, as a general thing, the captain has a | share in the vessel under his command. When a supply of Virginia oysters is required for transplant. ing, one of the Company is appointed an agent, with | full power to purchase the necessary quantity. When he arrives at the “rocks,” he anchors on any par- | ticular spot where ceperience tells him he can pro- | cure the oysters he wants. He then engages some of the oystermen to load his vessel at a stipulated price per bushel, agreeing to remain in one locality only | 80 long as the oysters there continue good. ere | the “rock” is remarkably fertile, an expert oyster. | man can “tong” fifty and sixty bushels Suey and | | when constantly employed he can earn twenty dol- | lars each week. There are some months in which | have very little connection with the great and busy | the business is partially suspended, and du that | | time he devotes his attention to other work. Nearly | all of those employed on the oyster beds of Virginia | | are slaves, who are allowed by their masters to en- | gage in this occupation on condition of paying them | one dollar,and in some cases ten shillings aday, | Rivne ber all they make over that for their own use, There have been instances where the slave has, | | by perseverance and unremitting industry, realized | in a few years sufficient to purchase his own freedom, and we were told of one who not only liberated him- | self in this way, but his wife and child also. We have said that the York river and the Rappa- hannock oysters are the best; but there is one cir- | cumstance particularly deserving of notice in regard tothismatter. Some years the Rappahannocks are inferior, and, aw contraire, at other times the York | rivers bear off the palm. Various causes may beas- | signed for this difference, but the most obvious is | found in the fact that the waters of both rivers are liable to be affected by freshets, which materially change the quality of the oyster. Where the water is ve ie e oysters deteriorate, and not unfre- uent! ie. Me "The number of boats a eae in conveying Vir- ginia oysters to the various slips in this city is | stated at one thousand. The registers of these is from forty-five to two hundred tons, and the value from five hundred to eight thousand dollars. Dnr- ing the months of December, January, I'ebriary, and | March, about five hundred thousand dollars worth | are sold from the boats at Coenties slip. ‘There are | no scows or oyster stands at this place, on account - of the transient character of the trade there, and the dealers are consequently obliged to sell them off the boats. There are some days when from twenty to | thirty vessels are in dock together, and on these oc- | casions the scene presented is one of great activit; and life. The wharf is Cae with wagons wait- ing to receive their loads, while the hands on board the boats are straining every nerve to supply the in- cessant demands of customers. The bualuews of the | day commences about six o'clock in the morning, and eontinues till four in the afternoon. EAST AND NORTH RIVER OYSTERS. Of East river oysters alone, about five hundred thousand dollars worth is sold during the year in | | Oliver slip. The supply comes from Bridgeport, Norwalk, Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, Sawpita, City Island, and a few other places along the west- | tern shore; and from Northport, Oyster Bay, Lloyd’s Harbor, Huntingdon, Cold Spring, and Cow Bay,on | the southern side. The largest proportion comes from City Island, where there are extensive artificial | and natural beds, which furnish some of the best | oysters obtained in the East river. | The artificial beds cover a larger surface than the natural ones, which is owing to the fact that im- mense quantities of the North river oysters are also \-planted there. In fact, about one-third of the whole | number planted is made up entirely of those ob- | tained from different parts of the North river—the | beds of which extend at intervals from Piormont to | | Sing Sing. The oysters from these beds are not fit for | use till they are lanted twice. They are, in- deed a very inferior article; and, to use the language | of one of the dealers, ‘they are considered behind the age.” Above Sing Sing the water becomes 90 fresh that oysters cannot live in it, and some- times, when there is a freshet in the river, | nay numbers of them, it is said, are killed. {It not considered judicious, therefore, to re- | move them from the nataral bed for the pur- pose of transplanting, as the sudden chan; fron he fresh to salt water generally proves fatal to | them. When they are first taken up, they are of a | yery diminutive size, some being not much larger | than a shilling piece, and the largest do not exceed three inches in diameter. When young, the shell is | quite soft, and if planted in Prince’s Bay, in that | plantations, and large outlays are made for that | whole amount sold during a single year is estimated | | ply is received during the spring and fall, bat in the | ries at Shrewsbury is computed at two hundred and | remember, that the great 0; | state they would inevitably fall a prey to the large fish which inhabit ita waters. They are, therefore, first planted in the East river beds, where they are allowed to remain for two years; and, when suffi- | ciently large to defy their scily foes, they are trans- | nae to Prince’s Bay, or to other beds in the Fast river. The North river is remarkably productiv | shellfish, and in some places rs ald ay uate crease that they grow upon the top of each other. In this manner layer after layer is formed, tilla per- fect rock of oyster shells has besa constructed, from for to seven feet thick, and so hard that it is impos- | sible to fasten an anchor in it. Fach layer of oysters kills thore immediately beneath it, for this fish al- ways remains in the one spot. During the months | of July and August there are very few brought to | market, as they are generally full of spawn about this period of the year. This, it is almost needless | | to say, renders them unfit for eating, as it gives the | | meat a milky appearames and some think an unplea- | sant flavor. We should state, however, that this is | only the care with thore obtained from the natural | bed; or thoep artificial hede in which they arg allewed | 4o remain, as the are fit for | ed. Whe beds cover an extent of between and | are more of them sold than of any other size. It use nek allowed to reunin too som three miles, and are owned exclusively by the far- | be remarked, however, that as, », general Pong oyster is in spawn it has mers who live singe the banks of the Shrewsbury, | size of the oyster depends as much upon quality ee eae ae, who possess water privile; entitling | of the sand or mud upon which it grows as on the aa saad atone Spent water : ES in | length of time. understand, ‘State, ywever, we ve, very strict! forced in from taking them up d this case, for we are told that the Dedsextend acroas | THE WHOLESALE AND RETATL OYSTER DEALERS. has either been annulled or e obselete. About | the river, which is between two and three hundred | Under this head may be classed thoze who sell besiy. years ago the oysters from the East river were | yards wide. When the tide recedes the oysters are | oysters from the boats and scows at Oliver and alm ed to view, and may be gathered with an or- unknown in this city, except to a few lovers of the fish. Indeed, the oyster business of New York at that time was very limited, and, like many other trades, it has increased with the th of the city. No person with large capital could be induced to enter upon it, and to cultivat ficial beds in our own waters, except a few, and even those were men of very small means. Light or ten years ago, one dealer, who has since become exceedingly rich in the business, invested his capital in itdetermined to prove that ‘New York could furnish as good oysters as any other State in the Union, not excepting Vir- ja, which had always maintained the first rank. fore this time the East river 0; had a very poor reputation, and, in fact, the demand for them was 60 very limited that the person who entered upon the experiment did so at considerable risk. As soon, however, a3 eo became acquainted with their superior quality there was an immediate demand for them. If the beds were as extensive as those in Virginia, the quantity obtained from that State was considerably reduced. According to er regent cot - ae gay and on const inc lemand, there is no reason muppoce that it will ever be diminished, or that New York waters alone can supply the New York mar- kets. Besides, as we have stated in another place, immense quantities are sent, not only through- out this State, but to California,and even to England, where they are considered by some superior to the oysters of that Sout a berare certainly more healtbyand nutritious. The English oyster hasa sharp, coppery taste, im) to it by the Vpeebeg im of the water in which it grows, and nature of the soil. The water along our coasts is not so brackish or so dense, owing to the large body of fresh water constantly flowing into it from our great rivers, and to this fact is partly attributed the difference in the character of the two oysters. Some of the best oysters are those sent from City Island, which is situated on the East river, at a dis- tance of eighteen miles from the Battery. The island i 2 ie ae on tare cee in a and is abited princ' , if not solely, by oystermen. Of the Tusdred pens employed in conveying East river oysters to Oliver slip, twenty-five are from this place. The number of men engaged in the fisheries about the island is about one hundred, all of whom live there with their families. These mer make a comfortable living at their occupation. They own | nearly all the boats, and are a hardy, industrious, | and independent race of men. The whole amount of roperty invested in the oyster trade with this island, | including the boats of the oystermen and of the dealers, the value of the beds, &c., is estimated at | ore million of dollars. And this is not more than | one-third ofthe who'e amount invested in the entire | trade of the Part river. Those engaged in planting artificial beds in these waters have their profits considerably diminished by two kinds of fish that prey almost wholly upon | oysters. The first and most rapacious of these is the | drum fish, which grows from four to twelve feet long. | It is very voracious; and the luckless oyster that happens to be within its reach, to use the language ot the celebrated Hannibal Chollops, gets ‘‘ most catawampously ehawed up.” The drum fish literally cuts the’shell in two with its teeth, and then extracts the oyster. It devours immense numbers in this manner, and did it frequent those waters during the whole year it would soon depopulate the beds. It only makes its BUpeatance HOWSTet) about the month of August, so that the damage done is soon repaired by the remarkably prolific powers of the oyster itself. Besides the drum fish, there is the borer, which grove to the length of half'an inch. It is remarka- ly hard, and at one end has a sharp point, by means of which it is enabled to pierce the shell of the oyster. There are some other fish that prey upon oysters, but these are the only kind whose extensive ravages entitle them to particular notice. In addition to the twenty-five large boats or sloops owned by the oystermen of City Island, | they have between seventy and eighty smaller ones. They generally commence their work in September, and continue till June; but during | that month and the two succeeding ones their | business is partially suspended. uring these three months Laie employ their time in overhauling their boats or cultivating their ground, for some have small tracts of land Bon which they raise different | kinds of vegetables. There was formerly communi- | cation between the island and the main land by | steamboats, but these have long since stopped run- ning, and their place at present is supplied by the boats belonging to the oystermen themselves. ‘City Island is a little world by itself, and its inhabitants world outside of it. It has a population of about four hundred, includ- | ing women and children, and such is its present | prosperous condition that its inhabttants are able to maintain an excellent school. A few years ago a small, but handsome, church was erected near the centre of the island, and its bells may be beard ofa Sunday, on either side of the river, summoning the people to worship. Some idea may be formed of the extensive business transacted by the East river dealers from the fact that the sales of one, during the last year, exceeded one hundred thousand dollars, and this year the demand has increased to such an extent that he is unable to supply it. Great exertions are at present making to increase the purpore. Independent of the oysters sent by aloops, a considerable amount aretransplanted over the New Haven road from Stamford, Bridgeport, Southport, and severe] other places, and some by steamboat from Cold Spring and Oyster Bay, L. I. Many pri- vate families living along the banks of the East river lant beds for their own use; but plantations of this lescription are not very extensive. A considerable business in these oysters is transacted in Boston, Hartford, and two or three other eastern cities, but they ove said to be ofan inferior quality. They bring a good price, however, im those places, and that is a sufficient inducement to the dealers to take them 80 far out of the way. SHREWSBURY OYSTERS. Nearly all the Shrewsbury oysters sent tothe New York market are obtained from artificial beds, plant- ed from the natural “rock,” in Newark Bay. There are no regular depots for their sale, as is the case with those from Virginia and the East river. The | at four hundred thousand dollars, of which more than three hundred thousand dollars worth were honght directly from the boats. Besides those sent in the regular oyster boats, there are large quantities sent by steamboats. The principal sup- summer and winter months the business is very limit- ed. They can be purchased in market, however,all the year round, and there is generally a pretty brisk demand for them. Among epicures they are con- sidered excellent Cf yy some they are re- garded as equal to the best from Virginia. ose of a superior quality sell from ten to fifteen dollars a thousand; and when there is a scarcity in the mar- ae they bring sixteen and eighteen dollars a thou- sand. The number of men engaged in the oyster fishe- fifty. Of these more than one-half are employed in | transplanting from the natural bed in Newark ba; to the artificial beds on the coast of Shrewsbury. [t was in the waters of Newark, as our readers may | war occurred. | difficulty was caused, it was alleged, by the encroach- | ments of the New York oystermen upon the beds of | the Jerseyites. The former, supposing they had the | same right as their rnd ety to this part of the | waters of New Jersey at least, had at varions times | loaded their boats with the oysters found therein. When notified, therefore, that only citizens of New Jersey were allowed this privilege, and that if they continued to violate the laws of the State a heavy | penalty should be im , they treated the menace | with contempt, and, in defiance of its laws and au- | thority, persisted in taking the forbidden oysters. The | Jersey oystermen, however, were determined to expel | hem from their ground by force, and roche Sed absolutely provided some of their veseels with can- non. The Jerseyites were armed to the téeth, and | all were resolved to sacrifice their lives, if need be, | in defence of their rights, their native shores, and their oysters. The New Yorkers, on the other hand, were no ways slow in preparing for the conflict, and | for the time being there were dreadfal rumors of war; but, nana Te after a few encounters between two or three boats belonging to the belligerant parties, | hostilities ceased. veral persons were injured in some of these naval engagements, but so far as we can recollect no one was killed. The whole affair ended in the expulsion of the New Yorkers from the rohibited waters; and they have since heen content 0 purchase what they formerly obtained without ex- pense, further than what was incurred by the labor of fishing for them. No apprehensians need be entertained of another outbreak, as the misunderstanding with regard to the rights of both parties, which occasioned the late diffi- | culty, has been settled by the laws of the State of New | Jerrey. These laws are very explicit upon the sulgect, | and are enforced with great strictness. Where the | citizen has so direct au interest in the enforcement of the laws, as the oystermen have in this case, they are certain to be carried out to the letter. Shrewsbury oysters are said to be superior even to those procured from the best beds of the Kast river. Their flavor is a Tittle more pungent—they have a dinary pitchfork. The operation of“ tonging” is oniy necestary with those that lie in the bed of the river, and therefore comparatively few boats are required. Hy steamboat. The farmers employ ns take them up at low tide, and send them to mar- beds with “tongs,” and conresing them to this city. There are two branches of the river in which they are Pose but those procured from the beds in the southern branch command a higher price. The bot- tom of the river is covered with a rich black mnd, to the depth of from four to six feet, and it is this which ives the oyster its selow color and peculiar flavor. e northern branch does not possess the same char- acteristic in 80 it a degree, and is therefore not so favorable for the exposes of planning. It is only those who are icularly nice and discriminating in their tastes, however, who can tell the difference between the product of either branch. They sell at an average of eighteen dollars a thousand, and when searce they cannot be purchased for lesa than twenty. It Day be reasonably supposed that a farm on the borders of the Shrewsbury, with such valuable water privileges as those we have described, would realize a fortune in a short time for its proprietor. An oyster bed thore is almost as valuable as a gold mine, less injurious to health, and easier to work. Their owners are not only “ well to do in the world,” but are considered by those in the trade wealthy. They are not required to pay any tax for their privileges, compared with that to which others are subject. About two hundred thousand dollars worth are sold during the year, and this amount is inadequate tothe demand. Phere is no possibility of an increase in the supply, however, for the only part of the river capable of growing them is already laid out in beds, and its productive powers are now taxed to their fullest extent. The trade in Shrewsbury oysters differs very ma- engaged in it, in consequence of a large portion bein; sent to this city by steamers in place of sloops an other sailbcats. The capital invested in it is less, in proportion to the value of the artic! that invested in the East river and Virg and the profits derived from it are mo The proprietors of the beds, it is p of remark, combine the two vi tions of farmers and oyster dealer: ib, than trades, erable. worthy dissimilar occupa- BLUE POINT AND SOUND OYSTERS. About twenty years ago, the oysters from Blue Point were considered the best sold in this city, and they formed the staple at that time. A great change has since taken place, however, and the sup- ply isas limited as that of the Shrewsburys. At one time, from some cause, of which little is known, they dieappeared altogether, and none could be ob- were thought to be extinct; but they appeared again in as unaccountable a manner as they had disap- peared. It is supposed that their apparent annihila- tion was caused by some change in the water, or in the nature of the rock upon which they grew. Another reason given for it is not at all improbable, and, to our mind, more satisfactory than either of casioned by the filling up of the beds with sand. This, it iswell known, is most fatal to oysters, and mapy still continue to be*killed in the same manner. Blue Point is adjacent to South Amboy, and the beds extend over an area of from eight to ten miles. The value of the whole amount taken up in one year does not exceed two hundred thousand dollars. They are sold for an average of ten shillings a hun- dre advance upon this price when brought to market. At one period, when they might be regarded as in their prime, they attained a rémarkable size; but now their propane! as well as their numbers, have been greatly reduced. i There are about two hundred persons engaged in the business, including the proprietors and the hands employed in working the beds. The oysters ave taken up during the months of September, October, and November,and are all dispoved of to the New York dealers. , . The Sound oysters are procured from beds lying on the south side of Staten Island, in an estuary which has been dignified with the name of sonud. ‘he beds are principally a ul, and are pl d with the natural growth of Newark Bay. The oys- | ters of Newark Bay are generally classed under the title of Sound oysters, and we ded them in our estimate of the amount of yearly sales as such. Bay; but those obtained from that locality hae a poor reputation, and are regarded as inferior to the growth of our own waters. For this reason, not more than one-sixth of the whole amount cultivated are Delawares. h and fifty to two hundred men employed in their cultivation, or in bringing them ‘to market, and the value of the whole amount sold during the year does not exceed fitty thousand | dollare. The boats used in transplauting and in | transporting them to this city are sloops and skiffs, | or open boats, each being manned by three or four hands. The average value of each boat is about ten hundred dollars, and the whole amount of capital invested in the Sound trade, including bosts and beds, may be estimated at two hundred and fifty The larger part of those sent to New York are trans- | and there is very little risk attending their business, | terially from all others; there are less oystermen | perhaps | tained from the beds. The race of “Blue Pointers” those adduced—it is, that their destruction was oc- | from the beds; but, as they wre scarce, and | have a good reputation, they sell at a considerable) any other season of the y There are from one hundred | | commenced shipping them in the shell, and at Coenties slip, and the docks in front of Washington market, and also the dealers in the various markets throughout the city, the keepers of oyster saloons and restaurants. Of the wholesale dealers, a considerable nomber own boats and plant their own beds. All the Le tobe sia, ob oe own account. In eg ed oysters in Prince’s Bay, and a large proportion of stances they enter into a sort of partnership with those inthe Enstriver, Newark Bay, and in other parts oystermen owning sailboats, who ohkaii one-half the * pei i comeration of the eve rendered by l.he rater of te ae ae aa of ths har an, , Tha service consists in. taking them from fhe grown Wealthy in the business, and own splendid country houses and extensive estates on Staten Island: In fact, the prosperity and rapid increase of the popaiaion. of that island is owing, in a considerable degree, to the oyster trade of this city. Before Prince's Bay was laid out in oyster planta- tions there were very few persons living on it, and it | was almost wholly uncultivated. As soon, however, | as the planting commenced, the population received | an accession from the oystermen, who took up their | habitation on the coast, within view of the plantations upon which they worked. A few years the first beds were planted an extent of coast of from five to } ten miles was coverediwith oysters, taken from the “rocks” of Virginia. The number of men employed upon them, who live upon the island, with their fami- lies, is computed at three thousand. Of the wholesale dealers, many have worked upon | the beds in Prince’s Bay as dredgers; yet, by perse- verance, economy, and industry, they have in some instances amassed immense fortunes. They are an enterprising and intelligent class of men, and the histories of some of them are full of interest. Some ople imagine that there is very little in this business either int or ‘instructive, and eat their oysters withou' ever bestowing a thought upon those by whose labor they have been provided with them. There is no occupation that is wholly barren of interest, and this fact is particularly applicable to the oyster dealers. | We were informed of one who commenced in busi- | ness, while a boy of eighteen, with a skiff which | he had purchased on credit The boat was worth about forty doliars, and the man himself is now worth forty thousand! Sixteen years ago, in this ittle skiff, he was employed in conveying his oysters to the market at Oliver slip ; now he owns several sloops, which are engaged in bringing oysters from Virginia or in planting them in Prince's Bay. ‘There are several of the oyster dealers who do not own scows, and are consequently obliged to sell from their beat About two-thirds of the oysters brought to Oliver slip are disposed of in this manner. This is owing, in a great measure, to the wretched accom- | modations with which they are provided by the city | ment. The owner of each scow is obliged seventy-five dollars a year for dock room; is made to submit to numerous inconye- 8 which might be removed at a little expense, if the proper city authorities would only bestow a little of their attention on this subject. There are nine scows in the dock at Oliver slip, the value of which is estimated at four thousand dollars. They might not improperly be called oyster depots, for they are used almost exclusively for the storage of oysters as they arrive by the boats, Their length is about thirty feet, and breadth about twelve, and they are capable of holding from one thousand to fifteen hundred bushels. Some of these are owned by com- panies of two or three persons, the majority of whom plant their own oysters. The amount of oysters sold every year by these’dealers is estimated at about five hundred thousand dollars. This is exclusive of the amount bought from the boats, and which is esti- mated by the dealers themselves at one million dol- lars. This estimate is obtained from a calculation of the number of boats arriving during each year and their capacity. The scows are all roofed over, and contain an office | atoneend. The hold where the oysters are placed | is divided into a number of compartments for the re- | ception of the different varieties and sizes. They are | allsold in the shell, while those sold by the retail dealers are opened. During the fall there is, per- haps, a larger amount of oysters consumed than at year, while in the summer | there is a grent falling off in the sales. | _ The oyster trade of Oliver slip is not so extensive as | that of the dealers doing business in the dock oppo- | site to Washington market. There are twelve scows in | this dock, the value of which is about fifteen thousand dollars. They are very handsomely fitted up, and strongly built. This is very necessary, as they are suljectto much damage on account (Ga d situation. There is no pier to break the strength of | he waves; and when there is a heavy swell in the river they are knocked against each other with sufficient force to stove in the side of an ordinal Lt A tew weeks ago, a scow was sunk in this several hundred dollars worth of oystera ides the damage done to the scow itself. he dealers make grevious complaints of the anncr ia which their interests are neglected. ey Are prt fo an expeuse of over six thousand i lost, bh i | commodations for the boats, being compelled to land | their oysters at a considerable distance from the | Scows, to w hich they bave to be brought in carts. ‘There is one dealer here who sells his oysters open, and who sends immense quantities to the western part of this State and to some of the principal cities | of the West. The shipments of another amounted to four thousand five hundred barrels. These, however, in the shell, and were obtained from York Bay. Each barrel ins from five to six hundred oysters, and the price varies from four to five dollars. It is only within the last five or six years that the dealers gent a most extensive trade is carried on with ci: nati, St. Louis, and several other Western cities. Befcre th's they were sent in kegs, hermetically seal- | ed, to preserve them from the air. There is consi- Occasionally, a few are brought from the Delaware | doliats a-yéar, they say, by the want of proper ac- | ae | thousand dollars. YORK BAY OYSTERS. ment of the business, for great risk is incurred by careless packing. During the first year considerable The oysters known by this name are taken from loss was araained by ihe, dealers, in consequence of the natural beds in Newark Bay, and planted over @ | their inexperience in the art of preserving them. portion of our bay extending from Jersey Cityas far | They have now, however, attained to such perfection down as South Amboy. A considerable proportion | that they can be sent as far as California without re- are obtained from the North river, but the Jersey | ¢¢iving any material damage. | erable skill and experience required in this depart- | The | advantage of the other, in the new limitation, no un : y I L d in ex- oystermen, by whom they are planted, are obliged to | ‘There are only two dealers who are engaged in ex: pay for them before they are permitted to remove | them from the natural beds, which are in the pos- | session of New Yorkers. Before the late difficulty, | however, we believe the beds were free to the Jersey- men, but since then they have not been permitted to approach them except for the purpore of buying oysters. There are at least ten hundred men | employed in cultivating these oysters for the put- | pose of shipping them. The hardness of their shell, | and the peculiar ices: of. hone eat render Agha better adapted for shipping than any others, and they are iheratine used riding wholly for the Western | trade. The boats employed in transporting them from the North River and Newark Bay to the artifi- cial beds, are open, and are each generally manned by three or four men. These men are the principal owners of the boats, and their attention is devoted exclusively to the cultivation of oysters for the mar- ket of this city. Their beds are staked out—that is, the limits of each are marked by its owner with stakes. This is very necessary. as it prevents the oc- currence of disputes among ‘the various owners, in relation to the extent of bottom occupied by them. | It sometimes happens that the stakes are torn up by | storms, and that the boundaries are in this man- ner effaced; but it very seldom happens that any cer- ious difficulties occur in consequence. The beds ar : marked out again, aud even if one should have th: leasant feeling is caused by it. These men work b sloops and skiffs owned by themselves. Th owners of each, beat are also Rroprietrs of oneo more beds planted by themselves. There is abou two hundred boats Pir weet of which is valued | at an average of eight hundred doilars. BUSHELS, CULLINS, BOXES, AND EXTRAS. These are the names given to the four sizes accord ing to which oysters are assorted after their remova from the bed. The bushels are the smallest, ando an inferior quality, while the extras are the largest, and sell fora higher price. The cullins and boxes | are the intermediate sizes, the latter being next to | the extras. The following table gives the relative | value of each:— Bushels, per bushel... .. 0¢. _ Cullins, per thousand. $3 50 to 34 Boxes, ve . ++ 7 00 to 10 Extras, Me . 12 60 to 20 The extras cometimes grow to the enormous size of twelve inches, and they have been known to attain | eighteen inches in diameter. Their average, how. | ever, is not more than nine inches. Bushel oysters are shout one half the size of an extra, and the others vary in proportion between these two. Extras have been told ‘or eighteen and twenty dollars a | thousand, and when scarce they have realized a higher price. There are some beds on which the growth of oysters is so dimivative that they do not furnish extras, no matter how long they may be al- lowed to remain undisturbed. They sre generally oysters of four years’ g.owth, for this is about the | genet an oyster takes to attain its foll size, After hi finally die out. It 18.4 most singular fact that their death is caused by the increasing thickness of the | shell. kK ‘From the time they have attained their matarity till their death, the rbell becomes thicker upon the qetowiah tint, and the shell is generally. whiter. ‘hey are a smaller oyster, but, in proportion to their size, they contain more meat. The peculiar color, by which they may be easily distinguished from other kinds, is doubtless imparted to them by the na- bare of the botiom uf the river iy which they are plant { inside as well Ay the pela oly In this ace roaches upon the space e oyster, gradual reducing it inaige, till it dwindles down to» fourth of its former dimensions. : ‘The box oysters arc & two years’ growth, and there , at time they commence growing lesa, until they TABLE EXHIBITING THE Y tensive shipments of York Bay oysters, and the amount shipped by these during the fall and spring, is computed at twelve thousand dollars. The barrels used for this purpose are of the same kind as those employed in stowing flour. They are sent by rail- road and canal; but more are perhaps seut by the latter, as itis a much cheaye mode of transportation. The sales in and about the slip at Woe ay market is estimated at three millions of dollars. This includes the total value of all the oysters sold in the twelve scows and off the boata to the retail deal- ers in the market and an the city. ‘The persons engaged in the retail oyster business— by which we mean the keepers of saloons and restau- rants in which oysters are sold—may be estimated at five thovsand, and this we think is rather under than over the number. Those realize a profit of from twenty-five to fifty per cent, so that the amount paid by the consumers in this city alone is about five mil- lions of dollars. Some of the retail dealers may vie with the wholesale dealers in the extent of their busi- ness. One who keeps from fifteen to twenty men con- stantly employed in opening oysters, sells about forty thousand oystersa day. He, however,sends immense quantities to the western part of this State, and to several of the large inland cities throughout the coun- try. One saloon in Broadway sells over ten thousand daily, in the forms of atews, fries, &c. There are some dealers who sell them “in the raw” to private families, by the quart or gallon; and others whose whole busi- nees consists in pickling them for home and foreign consumption. The pickled oysters are sent to every part of the United States by our dealers, and im- mense (oar are bought for shipment by vessels. It would be a tedions task to enumerate the various ways in which Lf are prepared for eating, and as that is a matter which more properly belongs to the cutsine, we must leave it to be treated by those who are experienced in such matters. RECAPITULATION, OYSTER BOATS. There are every variety of oyster boats, from the open skiff of ten tons to the schooner of two or three hundred. The largest craft are employed in con" veying oysters from Virginia and from the most dis- tant beds in the East river, while the smaller kind do not go further than twenty or thirty miles from New York. The open boats are principally owned by the men working in the beds, and form the largest proportion of the whole number. The fol- lowing table exhibits the number employed in bring- ing oysters to New York, or in transplanting them from the “rocks” to the artificial beds. Of course we do not include in this estimate the row-boats and skiff engaged in the Virginia fisheries, and which ' never make their appearance in our waters:— Number of boats, of all sizes, from fifty to two hnn- dred and fifty tons, employed in the trade in Vir- Ginin Oysters, <.... es csesvvy +. 1,000 In the East and North river trade. 200 In the Shrewsbury trade... ...... 20 In the Blue Point and Sound trade. 100 In the York Bay trade,........ ‘ 209 Whole number of boate,.......66.c eres) 1620 Y AMOUNT OF SALES BY THE WHOLESALE OF ALL KINDS OF OYST! 8, DEALERS OF NEW YORK. | Sales of Virginia oysters, including those planted in | Prince’s i Leaseperaenensweereseeny Fa'000,000 Sales of Dast and North river oysters..... 1,500.000 Of Shrewsbury oysters. 200,000 Of Blue Point and Sound oysters... 200,000 Of York Bay oysters.............. 300,000 saver nenens een ansee S),200,000 Total sal OFFICIAL, Boakp oF ALDERMEN, Present—Richard I’ Compton, men Modre Haley. ~srvan, gla Beyce, ,» Brisley, Francis, Swith, Tiemann, Ward, Deaman, Cor- nell Alvord. ‘The minutes of the last two meetings were read and approved. ‘Mare 21, 1988. PEITTIONS. By the Preement—etilion of remission of tax. To Committee By the rame—iil] of H T. Riggs, for medieai serviees at ite Third ward station house. To Committee om oliee. By the same—bill of Commissary General Daniel Lee, for ammunition furnished on the 22d of February last. Committee on Fina: By Alderman Hai and others doing busines East river, to allow the 0 shed thereon. 1 By Alderwan ALvoun others, to have runken lot filled in on weat aide of avenue, between Frrty ninth and Fifty first streets. Te Committee on Public Health By Alderman Dexax—Vetition of Clement ©. Moore, to build three piers in the Hudson river, momittee eo teenth and Iwenty fourth streets. To Slips. By Alderman 31cvaxx—Petition of Wm. Dunning, fer se of property at Manbattanville. To Committee op Finanee. By the rame—Petitiun of Mr. Sai to be remune- ligcharge of bis rated for damages sustained while in duties asa freman. To Committee on Finanee. By the same—Fetition of John Quinn, for extension ef time to build sewer on Seventh avenue and Forty-siatls street. To Committce on Sewers. By the ssme—Pesition of Hoary Dreher amd others, fora sewer through Ridge street, to consiest with sewer in Stanton rtreet ‘To Committee on Se By Alderman Rarn—Perition of Josey to be remunerated for damaves done to his by Compas, No 9 ToC: tee on Fins man ETCETRVANT—Petition of John Jr., for as inspector on the ulation @f riny ink street, befween Ninth avenue and Hudson river. To Committee on Roads. By Ald. Azvonn—That both sidewalks on Thirty-foustl . ALvoRD—That both si on fe street, between Fourth and Sixth avenues, be with flagging four feet wide. under the direction of the Street Commissioner. Referred to the Committee on By the same—Kesolved, That permiasion is anted to the owners of property on Thirty-fourth Between Fifth aud Madison avenues, to build a sewer iz anid street, at their own expense, provided the same ig done in accordance with the rules, and under the diree- tion of the Croton Aanenuay Department. Adopted. Obureb, for t Courtney Chur eb, By Ald, Warp ived. That the Commissioner of Re- pairs and Suppl! se the vump in Fourth street, cer- her of Sixth a , in the Fifteenth ward, to be re atonce, Referred to Commissioner of Repairs Sup- lies. bi By Ald. Conxrit—Resotved, That the Commissioner of Repairs and Suj)lie- b+ and be is hereby directed to ad- vertise for proposal fr builling a station house for the use of the Seventeenth ware Volice District, and the Ward Court of the Sixth Judicial District; also a house for Bn- gine Company No 26 house for Hose Carriage No: 17, on the lots py for the above named purposes, at the corner of nd Fifth street, Adopted, M DEPARTMENTS. A communicati« received from the Croten duet Department, vtion to a sewer in Fift; street, between Ni ue and Hudson river. fer- red to Committee on subsequently, the referenes reconsidered. and the + » adopted. A communication was :eceived from the Oomptreller in relation to the new building of the city Armory, corn of Elmand White streets. Referred to Committee of Repairs and Supplies A communication wes received from the Oreten Aqi duct Department, in relation te building of mew, and paiting old man hvies, on the lines of the sixth kighth avenue ri is. Referred to Committee on S@ wers. By Alderman Arvorp—Resolved, That the vacant lotsof block bounded by ‘Ihirty-thira and Thitty-fourth ai ard Fousth and Fifth »venues, be fenced in, under thé dircetion of the Street Commissioner. ferred to Commissiover on Streets By the same—Ferolved, That the vaeant lots im the block of ground, bounded by Thirty-fourth and Thirty- fifth streets and Fourth and Fifth avenues, be femeed in, uuder the direction) of the Street Commissloner. Re- ferred to Commissioner on Streets. FROM BOARD OF ASSISTANTS. Resolution—That the oyster stand, built in the street opposite the Catharine market, be removed. To Gemmit- tee on Markets Resolution—That the Clerk of the Common Counell be directed {o alter the names of Andrew Turnier, of Hose Company No. 45, and of Abraham Relay, on the Fire- men’s Register. from expelled remiss To Committee on Fire Department. Rerclut ‘hat permission be given to the Moating Dry Dock Company to close pile the easterly side of ros pa of guards of No. 42 East River, and to place spring piles the enme, eo a» to prevent the wheels steamboats from catching on the pier, the same to be done at their own cost and expense. To ittee on Wharves, Piers and Slips. Resolution—That 6(0 copies of the troller’s An- nual Report be bound. and that 260 copies of the Ansual Keport of the Ms tor be bound for the use of the members of the Council and the Heads of De- parients. Co heport of C tox of Hamyt * Report of Comniitice on Ronds—In favor of the aetual opening of T201h street, between Fourth) and Sixth ave- | Bues, taking ploce on Jet of April, 1863, Ooneurred in. Report of Comittee on Reade—Ia favor of a well and pump in ki 1 street, between Third and Fourth avenues. a Report of © Tn favor of placing rail- ings on each avenue, from Seventy-second avd Kighty-si: eet, where necessary. To Committee on Roads. Report of Committce on Finance—In favor of remitting tax on James Jennings ‘To Committee on Finance. Report of Committee on Markets—In favor of alteration to fish market at root of Catharine street. To: Tipebert of Comes Fire Department—In favor of eport of Committee on ire In favor oi saying bill for medica) services to Robert Roulstos, for Ejuries received at a fire. To Committee on Fire De- partment. Report of Committee on Sewers—In favor of building & rewer in Thirty seventh street, betweea Madison avenue ard Fourthayenue. To Committee on Sewers. Resolved, ‘that the Commissioner of Repairsand Supplies be, and he i+ hereby directed, to have the crosswalk corner of Marion and Broome streets, relaid. To Com- mittee on streets Resignation of Jos. W. Jones, as Commissioner of Deeds, and resolution appointing Edward §. MePhersen in hie place. Resigna‘ion accepted and resolution adopted by said Board, were referred to the Committee on Salaries and Officer. Report of Committee on Finance—In favor of reducing tex of F. Hyde. To Committee on Finance. Report of Comittee on Finnnce—In favor of remitting tax of Alphonse Perier. To Commitiee on Finance. Petition of Engine Company No. 7, to have the word “ expelled,” opposite S names — A. te ane Isaac Pierson, changed to ree grant Board. To Committee on Fire Department. Report of Committee on Sewers—In favor of building & sewer in Mott street, from Pell to Walker street. To Com- mittee on Sewers. REPORTS. Of Committee on Roads—In favor of releasing B. A. Cushman from pereentet interest om aasesement sewer in Forty-eighth street. Lost for want of a consti- tutional majority, subsequently reconsidered, and lest. again. fiir motion, the Board then adjourned watll Monday, the 14th instant, at 5 o'clock, P. Mt b, 7. VALENTINE, ler. Boann or AsmeTaNt ALDERMEN, Frupay, Mareh 11, 1863. be pr eminney nine roctreninn he etal and tant ‘men Tait, Maytee, Breaden, ent MeGown, Stewart, Wheeian, Darker, Rogers, ‘he Peel dent, Crawford, O'Keefe and MoVonkey, RESOLUTIONS. - By ae yong 8 the crovswallt from southeast corner ul a street to southwest corner be renee To bin My "4 Streets By Assistant Alderman Tart—That the Croton water introduced into the office of the Clerk of the Board of Aa- sistants. Adopted. 1 By Assistant Alderman Massatr—That Dey street, be tween Greenwich and West streets, be with gne. Adopted. By Assistant Alderman Hvxt—Preamble with the fol- wRedlived, That the editors and Proprietors of esolved, That 1he a inet Atlas be summoned to appear at the bar of the Board Assistant Al’ermen, and, under oath, to thie Bos14, and to the whole city, the name of the vile mem- ber of the Common Council alluded to inthe above ex- ract from their journal, and answer all other questiong that may be prepounded by them; and; Resolved, That Nant A Ki and man A. A. Denman, ‘Oliver Charlock be. bed tom atthe bar of the Board of cas ean such questions as may be put to: cath, ‘The subject as to statements members of the Common Counci] having been to a special eom- mittee, on motion of Assistant Alderman HARKER, tbe preamble and resolutions were laid on the table, Assistant Alderman McConxry—That the Croton wartt natin extended from their present termination in a ninth street, dowm to the Hudson river, BY. Assistant Alderman O'Rrers—Bill_ of Dr, Hepburn, for medical attendance at Nineteenth ward polies station 'o Committee on Police. By Assistant Alderman Stswart—That Clinton and At. torney streets, between Grand and Division, be lighted with gas. Adopted. REPORTS, Of Committee on hte ee ae of eon. ring (ns enme from the other appointment Serie persons as Commissioners Deeds. Adopted by the following yote:— Affirmative—-(be Prosident, Messrs. Tait, Maybee, Preaden, Woodward, Ring, Hunt, Routon, MeGown, art, Wheelan, Barker, Rogers, Crawford, O'Keefe, and’ wr cons itt Ronds—In favor of directing Of Committee on nds—In favor York und Harlem Railroad Company to constru Sas bridge at the junction of Fourth avenue and hty-sixth street, in liew of that oes Ee Board of ideslen in astone bridge at the Hog ge of favor of construct it Fourth avenue and Lighty-seeond street, in lew thet adopted by the Roard of aldsrmen. Both adopted, by the following vote:— Afirmative—The Prerident, Messrs, Tait) Ma; Breaden, Woodward, Ring Hunt, Bouton, MeGown, Rew: art, Whelan, Barker, ‘Mogern, Crawford, -O'Keelo, and cl a Of Committoee on Streets—To concur to “sidewalt in South street, from No. 12 to 298; in favor pF erry itn iiey ewes. OR nues; concur wr i. mented, cach by the {ellowing vele:— Affirmative—The President, Assistant Aldermen Moybve, Brogden, Woodward, Ring, Hynt, a