Report of the Board of Shell Fish Commissioners 179 

 OYSTER CULTURE. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Development Gradual. 



An industry in oyster culture such as is desired by advocates 

 of the Haman Oyster Culture Law cannot be developed in a day. 



The prejudices against oyster culture of those who depend 

 upon the natural oyster grounds for a livelihood must be 

 removed by demonstrating that an industry in planting on the 

 barren bottoms need in no way interfere or conflict with the 

 existing industry on the natural oyster bars, but that the two 

 industries can be made to thrive independently side by side; 

 that a demand for oysters throughout , the Middle West can be 

 easily developed, when the means of supplying it are at hand, 

 such that the price of oysters will not be seriously affected by 

 increasing the output from the Chesapeake many-fold but that 

 the market, when thus enlarged will be more stable than under 

 the present limited supply. 



The interest of men with the necessary ability, energy and 

 capital must be enlisted in the industry by demonstrating to 

 them that the barren bottoms opened for lease by the State 

 for the purpose of oyster culture are, when rightly managed, 

 a valuable investment; that the present policy of the State to 

 encourage oyster culture is not to be altered but that it is the 

 determination of the State to grant every privilege and safe- 

 guard essential to the success of oyster culture not detrimental 

 to the existing industry on the natural bars. 



Time will be required to eliminate the prejudices which now 

 hamper the development of the industry and to inspire such 

 confidence in it as is necessary to place it upon a satisfactory 

 basis. 



Oyster Culture in Rhode Island. 



In this connection it is interesting to consider the history of 

 the now thriving and revenue producing industry in oyster cul- 

 ture in Rhode Island, an epitome of which is contained in the 



