The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-03


use of the leasing system instead of
private ownership; the uniform good
quality and fertility of the grounds;
the peculiar nature of the Narragan~
sett Bay waters, due possibly to the
amount of fresh water which flows
into the Bay. thereby decreasing the
salty and otherwise disagreeable con-
dition pertaining to oyster cultivation
in less favored waters; entire absence
of any green appearance; the protec-
ton afforded by the Bay; the reno
val of concentrating substances and
the strict laws against pollution of
streams and harbors; and the conven-
lent depth OF the water for cultiva-
ton. Nearly all these desirable quail
tiles are lacking in Connecticut wa
tiers. and it is impossible, therefore,
to compare the two industries on the
same basis in considering the revenue
derived therefrom.
The oyster growers who lease the
Rhode Island grounds have no invest
ment which is represented by the
grounds themselves. They incur no
expense on account OF experiments
hardening and consequently they are
not obliged to make an annual inter-
est charge against the investment.
their total expense being the rental
fee. The comparative cost Of the best
grounds in Connecticut which may be
similar to the best ground in Rhode
Island would be represented on an as
sessed valuation of $4,000 per acre by
the interest on the Investment at s
per cent, which would amount to $3.50
plus the tax at a rate of 1-2 per cent.
amounting to 1925, or a total annual
charge of 1913 per acre as against the
total charge of $1,000 in Rhode Island.
The land assessed at $4,000 on q SIM
liar computation would show fixed
charges of $3.50 per acre, and the land
O CcynC a IL =
charges of $4,S7 per acre, which would
be comparatively lower than the land
leased for $500 per acre in Rhode ISL
and. All land assessed at a less hg-
ure than $500 per acre would bear
fixed charges considerably less than
the annual minimum Rhode Island
rental. but such land is supposed to
be much less desirable in every par
ticular.
The preceding statement is made not
so much for the purpose of confirming
the assessed valuations adopted by the
Board as to show definite compar-
ison Of the conditions and charges in
the two states
The Connecticut Shell-Fish Commits
sion in their report for the year end
ing September, 1901, made the follow
ing statement relative to receipts from
Rhode Island oyster grounds as COM
pared with those in Connecticut:
The sudden rise in the receipts Of
Rhode Island from these sources was
contemporaneous with the apprecia-
ton by Connecticut growers of the
fact that the advantages Of ma turing
seed oysters for the market in Maria
gansett Bay were very great and that
they could make money by transfer
ring their young oysters from their
Connecticut beds to Rhode Island wa
ters, Notwithstanding the expense of
the transfer and the high charges In
that state for the use of the grounds
"No intelligent man need be told
that Connecticut planters OF long ex-
perience in the business would not
have made this change and incurred
this extra expense and trouble had
there been like Inducements at home
But Connecticut has no such facili-
ties to offer. Were 1t possible for
Connecticut growers to mature their
seed oysters at home in the same time
as in Narragansett Bay, they would
gladly pay the same price to Connec-
ticut for the privilege and save them
selves the expense of the long haul
and transfer. But Connecticut has no
grounds located as are those Of
Rhode Island and so favorable for
the rapid development Of the young
oyster to a marketable state. While
Connecticut natures the best oysters
in the world, Rhode Island can ma
ture them quicker.
How long these favorable condi-
tions will last on the Rhode Island
oyster grounds it is impossible to
Judge at present. But be that as it
may, the whole matter resolves it.
self into the fact that Rhode Island
offers inducements now which Connec-
ticut does not and cannot, and for
which Connecticut growers are will
ing to pay the increased price.
From the general situation Of the
grounds in the two states those in
Rhode Island may be 1ikened to the
small but valuable garden spot while
the Connecticut grounds represent the
broad farm lands with the mixture
Of good, bad and Indifferent of the
average agricultural district