132 THE MOLLUSK FISHERIES 



where oysters grow naturally are few in number and relatively of small 

 importance. The clam, quahaug and scallop grounds are to be com- 

 pared with wild pastures and meadows, which yield their harvests with- 

 out cultivation; while the oyster grants are gardens, which must be 

 planted and carefully tended. 



With this distinction arises another question, of far-reaching signifi- 

 cance, — the question of private ownership. The quahaug, clam and 

 scallop fisheries demand that the tidal flats and waters be held in com- 

 mon as communal interests, and freely open to all citizens of the town ; 

 the oyster fishery requires that certain portions of these flats and waters 

 be set aside for private ownership. With the economic questions in- 

 volved in this discussion it is not the purpose of this report to deal. 

 There is one fact, in any ease, which cannot be argued away. The 

 oyster industry is dependent solely upon private ownership of grants. 

 If, therefore, the oyster industry is to be encouraged at all, — and it 

 certainly has very great possibilities, — this fact of private ownership 

 must be accepted at once. If, as some assert, it is an evil, it is a neces- 

 sary evil, and it has come to stay. The questions remaining for legis- 

 lation on this subject are the proper regulation of this private ownership, 

 so as to give the maximum of encouragement to the oyster fishery, and 

 the minimum of danger to the rival shellfish industries. 



The oyster and quahaug industries openly clash. This is an unfor- 

 tunate occurrence, but it cannot be avoided, since the ground suitable 

 for the culture of oysters is almost always the natural home of the 

 quahaug. Therefore, when portions of this ground are given out to 

 private individuals for the production of oysters, the available quahaug 

 territory is necessarily reduced. Over this question endless disputes 

 have arisen. The problem is undoubtedly one requiring delicate ad- 

 justment; but there is no reason why these two industries should not 

 flourish side by side, as there would be plenty of room for both if all 

 the available territory were properly utilized. 



There is one important feature of this problem, however, which the 

 present laws have wholly failed to recognize. "Wherever practicable, 

 the best of the quahaug territory should not be granted; and as far as 

 possible, the oystermen should utilize only those tracts of territory which 

 are not naturally very productive of quahaugs. 



The Oyster Industry. 



For the benefit of those who perhaps are not familiar with the methods 

 employed in the oyster industry, the following brief account is given : — 



I. Selecting the Grant. — The oysterman, in selecting a grant, has 

 to consider first the nature of the soil; and secondly, the location as 

 influencing the growth of the oyster. Not less important is the quality 

 of the oyster, which means not only a good price, but also readiness 

 of sale, as the oysters produced in certain localities are especially de- 

 sirable in appearance and flavor. 



