Peninsula Enterprise, September 13, 1883

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Fields -- Crops - Sweet potatoes : Prices

A private letter from Mr. L. B. Kellam, commission merchant, 184 Reade Street, New York, bearing date Sept. 8th, quotes sweet potatoes at $3.23.

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Transportation -- Water - Steamboats

The steamers of the Eastern Shore Steamboat Co. have been crowded with passengers to the Oriole in Baltimore. The rates of return tickets during the fete have been such as to largely induce travel, and the company deserves the thanks of the community for its liberal action. Just here we desire, in the name of the Eastern Shore Agricultural Association, to thank the efficient agent of this line for the uniform courtesy in yearly passing free the band in the service of that association.

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Tourists and sportsmen -- Other recreation - Excursions

The steamer Tangier carried 250 excursionists, or more, from the E. S. of Va. and Md. to the Oriole last Monday.

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Transportation -- Railroad - Construction

Oak Hall.

Railroad matters for so long a time dormant in this locality, are beginning to engage the attention of our citizens again. It was rumored last week, that 1000 Irishmen would arrive and be put to work on the P.R.R. last Monday. They did not come, but a small force under the supervision of Mr. Allen, are engaged in cleaning the road between this point and the Maryland line, and in that, even, we take courage "for the consummation of a thing so devoutly wished," even though it may be only "a speech no longer than a man's hand."

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Fields -- Canneries Infrastructure -- Commercial - Residential construction

Onancock.

Messrs. Northam & Joynes have lately resumed canning operations.

The residence of Mr. Wm. R. Hallett of our town is completed, and the general verdict concerning it, is that it is a model of architectural beauty.

How to Save the Oysters.

reprinted from Baltimore Sun.Sea -- Shellfish - Oystering : BaysideSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : Law enforcementSea -- Shellfish - Oystering : Planting

The Canned Goods Exchange some time ago sent out several hundred circulars to residents of the Maryland and Virginia tidewater counties. These requested replies to inquiries whether the oyster supply was diminishing, what was the cause, and what was the best remedy for the evil, and whether the present laws are sufficient to reach the subject. Over 100 replies have been received and the Committee of the Exchange summarized the contents as follows:

The opinion expressed is unanimous that the supply is largely diminishing throughout the whole area of the bay and its tributaries, and the expression is often used that if something is not done without delay to stop the evils the ruin will be beyond repair. The causes assigned are mainly the destruction of the spawn by those who operate under the provisions of the law, which allows five bushels per day to be taken by each planter for bedding purposes, it being indisputable that millions of oysters can be destroyed in an hour during spawning season by a single boat. The disturbance of the oyster during the Summer (which is the growing season) under the same law is also a great evil. The spawning season begins about the last week in April, but May is the principal month, and dredging, tonging, and scraping during this time works annihilation. Instances are cited of where new logs being towed up the rivers during May become covered with the spawn. This occurs in no other month, and will not happen to old logs, as they are too slimy to hold the spawn. Where the natural rocks or bars have disappeared, reefs or winrows of shells should be thrown across the beds of the streams at right angles to the current, and the spawn or spat will attach to them. Here they should be undisturbed during the Summer to allow them time for growth. Another great evil, the taking of seed oysters out of the bay to Northern waters is furnishing ammunition to commercial rivals for our natural magazines for the benefit of their artificial ones. The great size of many of the dredging boats and the immense weight of many of the large dredges used are also said to be causes of much evil, as more oysters are crushed or buried and smothered in the mud than are taken, and the ground and bars are utterly ruined. Opinions regarding the sufficiency of the existing laws differ considerably, many saying they are not what are required, others that they are sufficient if enforced, and many that the police boats are not numerous enough, while some assert that the oyster navy is a mere political machine. It is said by all that in one way the present law causes great mischief, as vessels steal a load from forbidden ground at night, and then to avoid detection sail out into free water and cull them, thus sacrificing all the seed, which will perish in the mud, whereas if culled on the rock when taken the supply would continue. Protection of any kind is regarded as folly if seed and small oysters are allowed to be taken at any time, except for planting. The remedy for the evils must be simple, general, and adopted by both Maryland and Virginia. A close season, smaller boats, lighter dredgers, retention of the spat or seed in the State, more police boats, and responsibility for illegal taking to be more direct and general are some of the suggestions made. The committee are earnestly studying the situation, and it is probable that in a few weeks they may be able to offer some substitute for the laws that exist at present that will meet all requirements and save this great industry and specialty of our State from the ruin that is impending.

The Shipper Pays the Cartage.

Transportation -- Water - SteamboatsTransportation -- Water - Freight

There was paper circulated last week among receivers of Southern fruits and produce for signatures to change the cartage system. On Delaware and Maryland and up river produce the receipts are carted to stores and cartage charged to the shipper, but Norfolk, Charleston and Savannah produce is generally sold on the docks and the cartage has to be paid by the buyer. Receivers generally approve of changing this system to take effect immediately, and hereafter charge the cartage to the shipper, claiming they can sell their consignments to better advantage delivered free of cartage. Buyers have always objected to this system and in cases of a large supply, receivers have often lost the cartage rather than risk losing a sale. There is no question but what this will eventually work in the interest of shippers, as salesmen having the inducement to offer of delivering the stock free, can obtain not only better prices, but will be enabled to clean up quicker and at more uniform prices.

We copy the above from the New York Market Report of September 4th. Shippers will see that hereafter they may expect to find cartage added to their bills. The probabilities are that the better prices obtained will largely overcome this charge, and in the long run the shipper be benefited by the change.