The New York herald., 1871-03-18
TIE LONG ISLAND BAYS.

The Planting Of Oysters-What the Native,
Propose to Do-Thc Connecticut Men TO bs
LeRisiated Against.
For three years there has been continual strife
between the Long Island and Connecticut oyster
men over the possession of oyster lands under the
bay waters. The Connecticut men always con-
tended that the bays were public property
and therefore they had lawful right te
ply their vocation at win. This the Long
Island men consider as sheer nonsense. and quote
in proof Of their opinion the acts OF State Legisa
lures for several years anterior to the uprising OF
this contention. Jamaica and Hampstead bays and
the Great South bay, together with many inlets are
devoted exclusively to
THE PRODUCTION OF OYSTERS AND CLANS.
Three-rsurths Of the inhabitants Of Suffolk county
follow the hay for living, planting their own
oysters and conveying them to New York by sloop
and railroad. In the winter season they retire
to Virginia. where they carry on the oyster busi-
ness as extensively as at home. In Patchogue and
other towns dealers employ hundreds Of girls for
opening and canning oysters. which supplied in
the Juice to the saloons Of this city and Brooklyn.
The baymen have oyster routes which they traverse
regularly, and supply the
DELICIOUS BIvALvEs
to their customers. When they have planted their
It is time to gather them, and then they
find that the beds have been robbed OF fully
hall the yield. 10 Sucn an extent has this system
OF midnight theft Deen carried on that Oystermen
have been compelled to stand guard night after
night. II Is supposed that the man who was found
at RocKaway some time since, with Q gunshOt
wound In his breast, became q victim to one OF
these midnight sentinels while attempting poach
The people determined TO tolerate this no longer
They say that laws exist for the protection OF every
thing save their Calling and they are dete rmined to
be covered by the statute also. The people OF
oyster bay think they can best protect their In
terests by
LEASING THE LANDS,
which will give the town revenue Of $500e0 annu.
ally. Prominent New York dealers have bid Tor the
lands Some of the people object TO this, 1t Will
reflect seriously upon the welfare OF the poorer
partly controlled by nOnresidents, bill has been
prepared making It unlawful for any person other
than on inhabitant 10 hold any
LANDS UNDER THE WATERS
and such inhabitant must be constant resident OF
the for year. The land to be taken Is TO be
but must not exceed three acres. Amy per.
son holding such beds who shall remove
from the town will forfeit his claim
within one year thereafter. Dredging is made
misdemeanor punishable by both fine and imprison.
ment Any non-residents now holding oyster beds
win be allowed to keep possession until January,
1872. when their claims will have ceased TINS will
cause general clearing out OF the bay, as numbers
of New York dealers now hold from ten to twenty
acres each. They Obtained the lands through the
application OF sOmo resident for compensation, as
shown by the papers on nle In the Jamaica Town
Clerks office. The law has the approval OF dealers
and citizens, and will, doubt, bring about deal
OF contention IN the halls Of the capital
The passage OF such law Will seriously anect the
New York markets, as 1t win place the oyster beds
In the hands OF private citizens, who VIII use them
exclusively for private purposes.