THE OYSTER-INDUSTRY. 89 



clams (mainly Mya arcnariu), catching' lol)Sters, and in other sea-shore occupations distiuct from regidar fishing. 

 The ground occupied is embraced in little bays and sheltered nooks, for the most part, and is not of great extent. 

 There are about 20 i)lanters, who, at an average of 250 bushels — a laige estimate, pi'ol)ably — would furnish a 

 total of 5,000 bushels a year. Nearly if not quite all of this goes into the hands of peddlers, who dispose of it 

 from wagons throughout the adjacent villages. Many of the planters, and some summer residents in addition, 

 lay down seed wholly for juivate use. There is a large seed-bed off this part of the coast, which furnishes small 

 stock, not only for local use, but for the towns both east and west. About $5,000 would no doubt cover the 

 investment between City island and Port Chester. 



Port Chester. — Port Chester is the last town in the state of New York, East Chester, just across the 

 bridge, belonging to Connecticut. The exact boundary of the two states was long undecided, and was the cause 

 of much annoyance aiul dispute among the oystermen of the contiguous wafers, who were incessantly charging 

 one another ^vlth violation of law and their neighbor's rights, by crossing the imaginary line, and so invading 

 the property of the other state. In consequence of this a joint commission was appointed to settle the boundary 

 between the states, the definition of which, so far as it relates to the waters of Long Island sound, is as follows : 



Beginning at a point in the center of the channel about (iOO feet south of the extreme rocks of Byram point, marked No. on the 

 appended United States' coast survey chart; thence running in a true southeast course three and one-quartor statute miles; thence in a 

 straight line (the arc of a great circle) northe.asterly to a point four statute miles true south of New London light-house ; thence northeasterly 

 to a point marked No. 1 on the annexed United States' coast survey chart of Fisher's Island sounds, which point is in the longitude. E. 

 threo-<niarters N. sailing course drawn on said map, and is about 1,000 feet northerly from the Hammock or N. Dumpling light-house ; 

 thence following the said E. tliree-quarters N. sailing course as laid down on said map, easterly to a iioint marked No. 2 on said map ; 

 thence sontheasterly toward a point marked No. 3 on said map, so far as said states arc continuous. Provided, however, that nothing in 

 the foregoing agreement contained shall be so construed to ati'ect existing titles or properly, corporeal or incorporeal, held under grants 

 heretofore made by either of said states, nor to aft'oct existing rights which said states or either of them, or which the citizens of either 

 of said states, may have liy grant, letters-patent, or prescription of fishing in the waters of said sound, whether for shell or floating fish, 

 irrespective of the boundary line hereby established, it not being the purpose of this agreement to define, limit, or interfere wilh auj' such 

 right, rights, or privileges, whatever the same may be. 



At Port Chester and East Chester lives a considerable colony of oyster-planters. In all, about 25 families 

 derive their chief maintenance from this industry; but four-fifths of the planters find it necessary to supplement 

 their profits from this source by other labor, in order to get a living. The total product of the locality was about 

 9,000 bushels last year, only a fraction of which is sent to New York. The price is now 80 cents for the small and 

 $1 for large size. In 1878-70 it was 20 per cent., and in 1877-78, 40 per cent, higher. There are eight sloops, with 

 tioats, arks, etc., owned here, which foot up an invested capital of about $7,000. 



Before leaving the New York waters of East river, however, it will be well to mention some laws applying to 

 this coast. In the Eevised Statutes of 1875, under Title XI, Fisheries, are the following sections applying here, in 

 addition to the general important law prohibiting steam-dredging : 



Section 5. Forbids taking oysters in Harlem river during June, July, and August. 



Sec. (5. Provides jurisdiction in case of offense against section .i. 



Sec. 7. Permits any owner or lessee of lands adjoining Harlem river to plant oysters in fiont of their property, where the gronnd is 

 not occupied ; but he must put up a plain sign, stating (with owner's name) that this is a private oyster-bed. No person except the owner 

 shall take up oysters on such ground. Penalty, $50. 



Sec. 8. Empowers constables of either Westchester or Ncnv York counties to seize boats and imi^Icments of ofionders against section 7. 



Sec. 9. Defines how arrests are to l)e made and offenders iirosecuted. 



Greenwich. — The next point eastward is Greenwich, where, at Greenwich, Old Greenwich, Greenwich cove, 

 Cos Cob, and Mianus, a large business is done and a large number of persons is engaged, though oysters are not 

 now raised here to as great an extent nor of so fine quality as formerly. 



The months of all the rivers and each of the many coves that indent this rocky coast are filled with planted 

 oysters, though a general feeling of discouragement, arising from various causes, prevails. In all about 800 acres 

 are under cultivation, all in shallow water, and the total annual prodiutt for last year, of the whole region, may be 

 set down at 33,0!)0 bushels, the majority of which was taken to New York in the boats of the respective owners, and 

 sold to the dealers at the foot of Broome street. 



The number of families supported in this township, out of this occupation, it is hard to state. I estimate it at 

 about forty. The craft employed amounts to one steamer, about .'!0 sloops, and perhaps 100 small open boats. 

 These, with other estimated fixtures, foot up an invested capital api^roaching $30,000, exclusive of oysters now 

 growing on the beds. 



Stajiford. — The next oyster-producing point is Stamford, where, also, I found the planters bewailing the 

 decline of their fortunes. The number of men raising oysters is about a dozen, and perhaps as many more are 

 employed. From about 150 acres of improved harbor-bottom Stamford yielded for market, in 1879, about 5,500 

 bushels of oy.sters, the majority of which was shipped to New York. Their fleet counts up 9 sloops, which, with 

 boats, floats, and so forth, are stated to be worth about $15,000. The principal men at Stamford are A. M. Prior 

 and Capt. John De(;ker. 



Darien and Rowayton. — At Darien, three miles beyond, about 3,000 bu.shels a year are sold from about 250 

 acres. They have ten or a dozen sail-boats, and a value in oyster-interests, generally, of perhaps $5,000. 



