OYSTER CULTURE IN AMERICA. 849 



the press, and much interest was excited among oyster 

 growers and others who appreciated the importance of the 

 opportunity offered. Not only were the inhabitants of the 

 tide-water counties and of the State seeking locations, but 

 numerous inquiries were received from citizens of other 

 States. 



As will be seen from its perusal, the Act is a very 

 liberal one, and practically invites non-residents of the 

 State to enter into the cultivation of oysters, the only dis- 

 crimination against them being in the prohibition of entry 

 of ground less than two statute miles from the shore. 



The effect of this liberal policy was immediately felt, 

 and ground has been entered very generally by both non- 

 residents and others, fully 50,000 acres having been taken 

 up. . . . 



The method to be adopted to obtain a grant is as 

 follows : The forms for applications, grants, warrants, and 

 assignments which have been approved by the Attorney- 

 General, being on file in the offices of the Secretary of 

 State, and Registers of Deeds of the Counties of Dare, 

 Hyde, Pamplico, and Cartaret 



(i). The person desiring a tract of bottom makes an 

 application in writing, stating as nearly as may be the 

 location and area of the desired tract to the Entrv Taker 



j 



of the county in which the ground lies. The fee is 40 

 cents per entry. 



(2.) The Entry Taker issues a warrant to the Engineer 

 of the Board of Commissioners of Shell-Fisheries, to sur- 

 vey andjocate the ground. 



(3.) The Engineer surveys the ground, and lays it 

 down on the general map. His fees are as follows : 

 For each or fraction of a day employed, $2. 

 For each acre contained in the lot, 5 cents. 



