THE OYSTER. 161 



its increase by artificial means, they can claim no right 

 to anything more than the natural beds ; nor can they 

 claim any right to gain a living from these beds at the 

 expense of posterity, or by any means which tend to 

 ruin the property. It is also clear that they have no 

 rights which conflict with the wider right of our people 

 to increase our prosperity by rearing oysters. 



In discussing the measures which should be adopted 

 for the restoration and development of our oyster 

 business, the interests of four classes should be kept 

 in view : the tongmen who resort to the beds for food ; 

 the dredgers and tongmen who make a living by 

 gathering oysters for sale from our natural beds ; the 

 persons who wish to engage in oyster culture, either 

 by planting or by the various methods of oyster-farm- 

 ing ; and the dealers, packers, shuckers, canmakers 

 and others who are supported by the oyster business. 



Fortunately we need not ask which of these inter- 

 ests is to give way. Our waters are prolific enough 

 for all, and it is the right as well as the duty of our 

 people to see to it that our natural inheritance in the 

 bay be fully developed and used to the best advantage 

 for the good of all. 



The protection of the people who now depend upon 

 the natural beds for a living must always be kept in 

 view, but our people should awaken to a sense that 

 interest in the matter is not confined to the men who 

 are engaged in the oyster business. 



To ourselves and to our posterity we owe it that our 

 resources shall be fully developed, for our oyster- 



