Morning journal and courier., 1893-02-02
THE OYSTER INDUSTRY.
Cultivation of the Bivalves in Con.


Cultivation of the Bivalves in Con-
nectfcut.
The shell fish commissioners in their an
nusl report state that during the two years
ending October 81, 1892, ffty-two applica-
lions for oyster grounds, covering twenty
four hundred and ninety and three-tenths
acres, were made to the commissioners,
and upon these and few made previous
ly, thirty eight deeds, embracing fourteen
hundred and forty-six ard seven-tenths
acres were granted, and the money re-
oeived for them sent to the state treasurer
The total recsipts at the Office for the
year ending June 80, 1891, weee 81, 1926 46,
and the total disbursements for the same
period, including the pay and the expenses
of the commissioners we're 81, 103 95, a
net surplus Of receipts over disbursements
of So, 25S 81. For the fifteen months end
ing September 80, 1892, the total receipts
were $40 $50 10. and the total disburse-
rnents, 81 1888 60, net surplus of receipts
over disbursements of SO, 346 so. The
comptroller hiss refused to recognize the
clerk and two of tho commissioners, and
has refused them allscompensation fer serv-
ices during the fifteen months under
confederation.
The last two years have been very prosperous
ones with the oysternlen. In both year. the set"
of young oysters has been more than usually
abundant, and business hes generally been good
The star fishes, the greatest enemy OF the oyster
seem to have been prevalent, and when they
appeared, tha Improved methods of CT pturing
them have prevented the serious results Of form
er raids very important tide, decis.1 ,S.. has been
tenure OF oyster grounds, which seems to tusure
to the ownera Of such vroperts an alb olute right
to the product of their industry
The case one where an individual dellber-
ately and Intentionally took oysters from piece
of ground which had been designai cd by the shell
fish com missioners. in accordance with the lewG
of the state, to party who had afrerward sold
and Transferred it to another and the second
oysters was arrested anG when prosecuted, made
che defense that the ground In question was "a
natural o. ster bed" and consequently thu desig-
nation was void The supreme courts decision
the owner OF the ound.
AS consequence Of the good set Of the last
two years. constant Inquiry is made tos aVsiia s
who already own de-irable places find q
ready sale for them. The set has not only
ural oyster beds OF the state have also been thor
oughly covered, and it is no uncommon sight to
see 200 sailing craft ont ne stretford bed at one
ters, which find a ready market as soon as gath
cred. Thus the ''natural growthers,' who are
net capitalists. participate in the general good
wealthy brothers.
The oy ster growers in 1881, under a promise Of
a return of their money in case of an unproft-
able Investment, made applications for .uany
acres of ground ia that portion Of Long Island
sound where no previous designations had been
made. This was particularly true of the waters
lying between the town Of Madison and the east
ern boundary line of the state. After the most
careful efforts for series of years. oy-ter cult
ure in this part of the state has proven fail
ure.
The commissioners call attention to the mag
nitude of the oy ster industry, and say that the
industry in Connecticut is rapidly growing one,
and as those engaged in it acquire more and
more experience and the great area of good
ground is more carefully cultivated, it cannot
fail to become more aud more important FAC
tor in the progress and wealth Of the state.