OYSTER CULTURE IN AMERICA. 783 



beds which, owing to their proximity to the great centre of 

 commerce and population, have been very heavily taxed by 

 the demands which have been made upon them. 



LAWS OF NEW YORK. 



No person who has not been a resident of the State 

 for six months can take oysters within the State, unless 

 such non-resident is employed by a resident. 



No dredge operated by steam, or weighing more than 

 thirty pounds, can be used- 

 No natural bed can be used for planting, or can be 

 staked off for private use. 



No non-resident can plant oysters in the waters sur- 

 rounding Staten Island, without the consent of the owner, 

 and no non-resident can take oysters from the natural beds 

 in the same waters. 



No person is allowed to dredge on the natural beds in 

 the vicinity of Staten Island. 



Any owner of land adjoining Harlem River may plant 

 oysters in front of his property, where the ground is not 

 occupied, and no person can take oysters from such ground 

 without his permission, under a penalty of $50. 



The penalty for catching or dredging oysters on pri- 

 vate grounds in East River is a fine of not more than $250, 

 or imprisonment for six months, or both. 



In Queen's county, any resident may plant oysters in 

 any public waters where there are no natural beds, but no 

 person can hold more than three acres, nor can he hold it 

 unless he uses it for planting. 



No person is allowed to take oysters in Great South 

 Bay, Long Island, with a dredge, or in the night, or between 

 June 15 and September 15, under a penalty of a fine of 

 $250, imprisonment for six months, and an additional fine 



