TflE OYSTER-INDUSTRY. 135 



VII. No one who Las not been au actual resident or inhabitant of the state for six months, may rake or 

 gather elams, oysters, or shellfish, for himself or employer, in any waters of the state. Violation of this law is a 

 misdemeanor, punishable by imi)risonmcnt, or tine not exceeding $1.50, or both, with forfeiture of boat and all 

 ai)paratus. liesisting au officer engaged in enforcing this statute, subjects each person implicated to an added fine 

 of 8;!0. 



IX. Makes it Uiwful for " any jierson owning marsh or meadow in this state, within the boundaries of which there 

 shall be creeks, ditches, or ponds, where oysters grow or will grow, and where such creeks or ditches do not lead to 

 any public landing, to lay or plant clams or oysters therein, * * * and for the preservation of wliich to erect a 

 fence, hang or affix gates or locks across said creeks or ditches, to prevent any person or persons from entering the 

 same ". 



iSec. 12. If any unauthoi ized person be found with a boat inside any fence or gate as aforesaid, where clams or 

 oysters have been planted, or shall break down any such fence or boundaries, he shall be liable for every oifeuse to 

 imprisonment of not more than six months, or to a fine not to exceed $100, or both; provided, that the free 

 navigation of no thoroughfare or channel may be obstructed. 



X. No persons, under any pretense whatever, shall take away " from any natural oyster-banks or beds in this 

 state, any old shells, other than such as cannot be removed or separated from the oysters without injuriug the same ; 

 and all such shells shall be culled and separated from the oysters and thrown back again upon the said natural 

 banks or beds". Penalty, fine of $10 aud forfeiture of ofl'ending boat and tools. But this does not prohibit persons 

 taking shells from their own private beds. 



Many statutes exist in addition to this, which have only a local application, and hence are quoted at the points 

 where they are in force. It would seem diiiicult to enforce these laws upon reading them ; but the reader must take 

 into account the extreme jealousy which causes every man to watch his neighbor as a cat would watch a mouse, if 

 not bopnig to find him derelict, at least resolved to catch liim, expose him, and so thin the ranks of rivalry as well as 

 share the reward. Every oysterman is thus as good as a special constable, and the law takes care of itself. Tlie 

 attention to the laws, however, varies in diiferent parts of the state, and entirely different constructions are put 

 upon statutes in different counties. 



Shkewsbuiiy. — The most northern of the indentations of the northern coast of New Jersey, to which I have 

 alluded, is that just at the heel of Sandy Hook, and at the base of the Navesiuk Highlands, comprising the Navesink 

 and Shrewsbury rivers. Shrewsbury is one of the oldest oyster- regions in the neighborhood of New York, and its 

 product has always enjoyed a higii reputation in her markets. 



In 1853 the Herald's review of the oyster-interests in the vicinity of New York, heretofore quoted from the files 

 of Mr. Thomas De Voe, containeti paragraphs relating to Shrewsbury, which are so interesting that I quote them at 

 length: 



The number of men engaged in the oyster- fisheries at Shrewsbury is computed at 250. Of these more than one-half are employed in 

 trausplauting from the natural beds in Jfowark bay to the artificial beds on the coast of Shrewsbury. 



Shrewsbury oysters are said to be inferior even to those procured from the best beds of the East river. Their flavor is a little more 

 pungent ; they have a yellowish tint, and the shell is generally whiter. They are a smaller oyster, but in proportion to their size, they 

 contain more meat. The iieculiar color, by which thoy may be easily distinguished from all other kinds, is doubtless imparted to them by 

 the uatiue of the bottom of the river. The beds cover an extent of two or three miles, and are owned exclusively by the farmers along 

 the banks of the Shrewsbury ; and the beds extend across the river, which is between two and three hniidi'ed yards wide. When the tide 

 recedes the oysters .are exposed to view, and may be gathered with au ordinary jiitchfork. The operation of " tonging" is only necessary 

 with those th.at lie in the bed of the river, and therefore comparatively few boats are required. The larger part of those sent to New 

 York are transported by steamboat. The farmers employ persons to take them up .at low tide and send them to market to be sold, on their 

 own account. In some few instances they enter into a sort of partnership with oystermen owning sail-boats, who obtain one-half the 

 profits in consideration of taking them from the beds with tongs and carrying them to the city. 



There are two branches of the river in which they are planted, but those procured from the beds in the southern branch command 

 the higher price. The bottom of the river is covered with a rich black mud, to the dejith of from 4 to 6 feet, and it is this which gives 

 the oyster its yellow color and peculiar flavor. 



An oyster-bed there is almost as valuable as a gold mine, less injurious to health, and easier to work. Their owners .are not only 

 well-to-do in the world, but are considered by those in the trade wealthy. They are not required to pay any tax for their privileges, and 

 there is very little risk attending their l)usiness, compared to tliat to which others are subject. About §200,000 worth are sold during the 

 year, and tliis amount is inadequate to the demand. There is no possibility of an increase in the supply, however, for the only ji.art of the 

 river capable of growing them is already laid out in beds, and its jiroductive powers are now taxed to their fullest extent. 



The trade in Shrewsbury oysters differs very mateiially from all others; there are less oystennen eng.aged in it, in consequence of a 

 Large jiortion being .sent to this city by steamers in place of sloops and other sail-boats. The capital invested in it is perhaps less, in 

 projjortiou to the article, than that invested in the East river and Virginia trades, and the profits are more considerable. 



Shrew.sbury never possessed any natural beds of oysters, and its celebrated stock always was, and still is, rai.sed 

 from transplanted young, obtained now largely in Keyport. "At present," wrote Professor Lockwood, in 1873, "the 

 ' Slirewsbnry ' is accounted by many as the emperor of the bivalves, and will fetch in market at wholesale from $1 50 

 to S3 50 a hundred." P>ut for several years their production has grown less and less, and probaldy ten times as 

 many reputed " Slirewslmrys" were sokl in the markets as anuually came out of that river. During the winter of 

 1879-80 only about 20,000 bushels were harvested, by about 15 planters. About one-third of these are northern 



