FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 65 



and fitted with modern motive power. From comparatively small beginnings the 

 urgent necessities of the rapidly expanding industry of shellfish cultivation led, a 

 few years ago, to the adoption by the State of a system of control of lands under 

 the public waters suitable for the business; a system which includes a unification of 

 laws; an elaborate plan of surveys, based upon the triangulations of the United 

 States Coast Survey ; the establishment of numerous intermediate coast signals and 

 the preparation of necessary and carefully prepared maps and charts, together with 

 grants of leases and franchises under well-defined boundaries. Thus has the older 

 plan of control by localities, so palpably inadequate, been outgrown. 



The obsolete local plan contemplated a right to the farmer or citizen whose 

 lands happened to be adjacent to or near a bay or sound, to take a small piece of 

 land under water, in size ranging from a fraction of an acre to three acres, upon 

 which he might dredge or rake a few bushels of shellfish for domestic consump- 

 tion, or upon- which the bayman owning a small boat could dredge the natural 

 growth oysters for market. The laws of a given locality were sure to differ from 

 those of every other locality, the point of greatest resemblance being that these 

 rights were confined to residents of the particular town or community. 



In one large bay the land granted to an individual was limited to three acres at 

 an annual rental of five dollars per acre, while in another bay the limit was five 

 acres at three dollars per acre, an effort always being made to increase the revenues 

 of the town or community by the income from these grants, while nothing was 

 done by the town to protect its lessees in their rights. No h}-drographic sur\'eys 

 were made. Lessees fixed their own stakes or buoys marking the boundaries of the 

 lots. These marks being constantly removed by tides, ice and storms led to con- 

 tentions between adjacent owners. Larceny of planted shellfish \vas a crime almost 

 impossible of punishment, projierty lines being uncertain and the visible marks 

 unreliable. Under that expensive system doubtful or experimental ground was not 

 taken. E.xtensive growers reciuiring grounds in different localities suitable for 

 different stages of shellfish growth were obliged to use subterfuge and employ men 

 resident in each locality to rent grounds as though for their indivitlual use, when in 

 fact they were to jje used by the larger planters. 



Under the local system efficient means for destroying the enemies of the 

 sliellfish, involving the use of steamers, was out of the question. Under the jiresent 

 system of .State control the planters may obtain sufficient lands; employ capital to 

 advantage; combat the natural enemies of the shellfish and have the benefit of 

 proper surveys and boundaries, the lines being accurately fixed and easily relocated 



when necessary. 



5 



