236 THE MOLLUSK FISHERIES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



tinues wisely to improve his grant in conformity to the spirit 

 and letter of laws which are found by experience to give the 

 greatest good to the greatest number. 



Further, the State should protect the fishermen and the con- 

 sumers of shellfish by defining the areas which from a sanitary 

 point of view are (1) totally unsuitable for shellfish cultivation; 

 (2) those where shellfish may be grown but not eaten; and, 

 finally, ( 3 ) definite areas from which alone shellfish may be sold 

 for food. Provide suitable penalties for sale of shellfish which 

 have not been kept for the required time (at least thirty days) in 

 sanitary surroundings before going to market. The entire 

 question of pollution of streams and estuaries must be carefully 

 considered in view of the public rights and of the commercial 

 interests of the fishermen. Further, the laws must be so care- 

 fully drawn that the respective rights and interests of individual 

 fishermen, shore owners, summer cottagers and the transient 

 public at the seashore are completely safeguarded against the 

 dangers of predatory wealth monopolizing the opportunities for 

 cultivating; shellfish in the waters and the tidal flats. 



The situation is extremely complicated on account of the 

 diverse conditions and the numerous conflicting interests, oyster- 

 men, quahaugers, clammers and scallopers, native and alien 

 fishermen, owners of shore property, town and State rights, 

 local interests and petty jwlitics, and careful judicial considera- 

 tion is necessary not alone as to the substance of the necessary 

 laws, but upon the methods of administering these laws. 



Respectfully submitted. 



G. W. FIELD. 

 J. W. DELANO. 

 G. H. GARFIELD. 



