U.S. Commissio¥ OF Fiso anpD FISHERIES,

STEAMER FISH HAWK,

GEORGE M, BOWERS. Commissioner,

WASHINGTON, D.C. Balt imore, Md.,; April 2nd, 1900.

,

followins
nd near Ocracoke,

ac

“Winslow i:

were Sprea

nothing seems to.)
-ion gathere:
‘@arrish who assisted in sp
. .
Shells, also in setting the stakes with Mr.Winslow,
general opinion that the oysters were smothered
‘aS8, and that to the best of his knowledge no Oysters
«4 from this ground by the Syndicate The plan of oF
1ination was to use t} Steamer
ground, but found there wags not

heds, so it, 8 decided to

Stations at

 
i

rer
4

Stations were occupied, and the position of the steam
place was accurately determined by angles observed on the Ocracoke

5@, steamer "Lillie", and steam launch at the same time, At each Sta-
tion the following data was obtained; depth of water, character of bottom,
specific gravity of surface and bottom, and when possible, the oysters,
shells, spat, &c., found by tonging in the space covering a square yard,
all of which is contained in the Summary submitted with this report, to-
gether with a sketch of the planted ground, showing the Stations occup ied,
and natural ovster beds in the vicinity,

tha ‘ a hs Ven
that some Changes

The results of the examination produced the fact
had taken place since the ground was preempted, On the West it
ed up very much, At Station #9, there are 5 ft water, hard sand, and
19 years ago there was a deep channel with 10 fect water,

The whole area Of bottom may be divided into three parts; one-third
hard sand,and grass, one-third fairly good plantirig bottom, and one-third
where it would be impossible to make it a planting ground owing to itts
soft condition. In the muddy slues the mud is from 5 inches to 5 feet
deep, and is mostly at the Eastern end of the ground. During strong
Easterly gales the grass is detached from the sand-shoals and deposited
on the mud, where it rots and creates an offensive odor, The density
of the water over the ground, I consider is of the proper condition for
oyster culture, and the few oysters gathered at Stations #4 & #6 ( which
is about the center of the best part of the ground) were large, well for-

med and in good condition, with a good set of small oysters and spat.

Very respectfully,

o

; ? i
AL 790 L470 CL, Deere Za,
Aj
Mate, U.S.N., Comdg.

 
Professor J.A.Holmes,

Chapel Hill,

North Carolina,