28 Report of the Board of Shell Fish Commissioners 



study our system and certainly the encomiums passed by these 

 officials, and they were scientific men and to a large extent 

 experts, was something to rejoice the hearts of Connecticut men 

 connected with the industry, officially and in a business way, 

 who had labored diligently and continuously for many years to 

 bring the system of Connecticut's laws and usages into a 

 practical and satisfactory condition." 



Upon the occasion of the visit of Commissioner Grave and 

 Engineer Earle to Connecticut, Judge A. McC. Mathewson, who 

 for a number of years was connected with the State Board of 

 Shell Fish Commissioners, in speaking of the best method to be 

 adopted in operating the Haman Bill in Maryland said: 



"We have in Connecticut 8,000 acres of natural oyster beds. 

 The trouble which we encountered was in defining these beds 

 and drawing the distinction between the natural beds and bar- 

 ren bottoms. I understand that the same problems confront 

 the Maryland Commission, and from the same causes. When, 

 however, we established the line our troubles were over. The 

 Supreme Court of this State rendered a decision confirming the 

 boundaries of the natural oyster beds which had been defined 

 by the Legislature and as soon as these exact boundary lines 

 were established the rest was easy. Your Maryland Commis- 

 sion will make its task easy if it will definitely, finally aod 

 resolutely fix the boundaries of the natural beds. 



"After we had established these boundaries the laying out 

 of the barren lands became an easy task. The planters took up 

 the land that was absolutely worthless and have transformed 

 it into valuable beds. 



"The greatest problem which the Maryland Commission must 

 settle, and settle amicably and at once, is the controversy 

 between what we call the 'natural growers' and the cultivators. 

 It ought not to be difficult to settle this question. The 'natural 

 growers' will soon be convinced that oyster cultivation is of the 

 greatest benefit to them, and in five years they will be surprised 

 that they so long opposed cultivation. They will find their 

 opportunities greatly extended." 



