OF MASSACHUSETTS. 119 



The Oyster Grant System. — Oyster culture in Massachusetts is the 

 logical result of the failure of the natural oyster beds. When these 

 beds became destitute of oysters through overfishing, it was necessary 

 that means should be used to perpetuate the stock. Oyster planting 

 had been successfully carried on in the States south of Massachusetts, 

 and it was merely a question of experiment whether the oyster would 

 respond to the same methods in Massachusetts. Thus oyster culture 

 arose in this State at first as an experiment, later as an established 

 industry. Grants were given, as through this way only could oyster 

 planting become a success, and the " free fishery " people were forced 

 to bow to public opinion, which decreed that grants should be leased. 

 Thus oyster grants arose from necessity, as in no other way could 

 Massachusetts preserve her oyster supply. 



The system of oyster grants and oyster culture, in spite of its many 

 failings, has shown what can be done to preserve and increase a natural 

 shellfish industry if the proper methods are used. Planted beds have 

 furnished enough spawn to maintain the natural beds, which would 

 have long ago been depleted through the inroads of overfishing. They 

 have preserved a fishery which would have disappeared . almost com- 

 pletely, and established a better and more extensive industry, not only 

 benefiting the oystermen, but also those indirectly associated with the 

 business, such as teamsters, transportation companies, etc. 



In the following report various abuses of the present system of 

 oyster culture will be enumerated, and it is only necessary to state 

 that many evils must be eliminated before the oyster industry can 

 obtain its maximum expansion. Such evils as town politics, disputes 

 with quahaugers, etc., will have to be remedied. The greatest obstacle 

 which now checks the oyster industry is the lack of protection. Until 

 complete protection is given to the oysterman, the industry will never 

 attain to its full development. The removal of the abuses by the or- 

 ganization of the oyster industry of the State under a unified system 

 is the best way to secure proper regulation and improvement of the 

 oyster industry. 



The Natural Oyster Beds. 



While there has been much discussion whether oysters were ever 

 native in Massachusetts Bay, or merely the result of southern " plants," 

 the consensus of opinion is that there were natural oyster -beds in 

 existence when the first settlers came to this coast. Not only do his- 

 torical records show this, but the remains of the natural beds at the 

 present time indicate that oysters have existed for centuries. Thus 

 there seems to be no reasonable doubt that the northern coast of Massa- 

 chusetts, as well as the southern, once possessed extensive natural oyster 

 beds. 



I. Location of the Natural Oyster Beds. — (1) Parker River. — A 

 natural bed of oysters once existed in the Parker River at Newbury, 

 and even fifty years ago it is said that oysters could still be obtained 



