Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 March 1899 — The Age of an Oyster. [ARTICLE]

The Age of an Oyster.

He who wishes may find out the exact age of od oyster, though he has not the telltale evidence in teeth. Tbe lines la the groove of the hinge of the shell tell the whole story, each line representing a year. An oyster Is of! age at four years; that is, he Is old enough to vote, take care of a family, and go to market. Going to market is a disastrous undertaking, for a 4-year-old oyster is particularly palatable. By tills It must not be supposed that after an oyster has passed the four-layer period and has five, six, or even ten wrinkles on his shell he is a back number. Indeed, there are records of oysters being eaten Just after celebrating their thirtieth birthday, and in most cases they formed a delicious meal. Thirty Is an unusual age for an oyster to attain, because few are giveu an opportunity to live so long. If left to enjoy life In his owu way, it is quite probable that the oyster would become an octogenarian or even centenarian. Captain Cocliratle on his last trip to Fulton market brought in an oyster found on his beds that is believed to be at leas) 35 years old.—Fishing Gazette.