152 THE MOLLUSK FISHERIES 



The present system in vogue in the Buzzards Bay district is perhaps 

 unfair to botli parties in its policy. The selectmen may lease an 

 unlimited number of grants, of an unlimited area, to any citizen or 

 number of citizens of the town in question. Theoretically at least they 

 may grant all the available area in sight to one man. There must 

 of course be the formality of a hearing, and sufficient pressure may 

 be and is frequently brought to bear upon the selectmen to retard them 

 from exercising the full extent of their authority; but nevertheless 

 the system is unjust to the majority, and it is small wonder that the 

 quahaug fishermen feel aggrieved that some of their former privileges 

 are thus curtailed. Furthermore, the clause which demands that these 

 grants should be used for the cultivation of oysters is oftentimes openly 

 evaded, and a good portion of the granted area, though not used for 

 oysters, is closed to the quahaugers. 



On the other hand, the oystermen, while apparently enjoying great 

 privileges, in reality are severely handicapped. An oysterman obtains 

 a grant perhaps with great difficulty, owing to opposition from the 

 quahaug men. He can carry on no extensive business without the 

 expenditure of considerable capital. If he " seeds " his grant, the first 

 two or three years are spent in the maturing of the first harvest. The 

 grant is given only for ten years; consequently, when it has run for 

 seven or eight years the owner is in doubt whether to plant any more 

 " seed," as he does not know that his license will be renewed and 

 naturally does not wish to plant a bed for his unknown successor. 

 Again, if he is fairly successful and wishes to expand his business, 

 he cannot without great risk invest in the costly equipment necessary 

 for such an enterprise, as he has no certainty of getting a sufficient 

 amount of territory or of keeping it any length of time. Furthermore, 

 additional complications arise from the disputes with owners of ad- 

 joining shore property. This is particularly unfortunate, as this tidal 

 area along the shore is most valuable for the collection of oyster set 

 or " seed." 



From the foregoing statements it appears that the oyster and qua- 

 haug factions are in the position of two combatants who continue 

 to fight, while the object of the strife is lost to both. It is impossible 

 to handle so grave a problem by merely theorizing, but a few ideas 

 might be suggested as bearing favorably on the subject. It would 

 seem wise to refrain as far as possible from granting the best portions 

 of quahaug territory, for there is sufficient room fur both industries 

 to flourish. Then, too, grants might be rented at so much per acre 

 as long as the owner desired within certain time limits, assuming that 

 he paid his annual rental and improved his grant. These and other 

 suggestions might be made which would seem an improvement over 

 the present circumstances; but it is doubtful if conditions can be much 

 bettered until some motive force and centralized authority is supplied 

 by proper legislation. 



