484 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



One of the most important suggestions, perhaps, that has been 

 made looking toward the satisfactory adjustment of the question is the 

 introduction of some system of taxation which would i)rovide for the 

 imposition of a tax either upon the grounds, or upon the seed oysters 

 annually planted upon them. But the proposition has not been 

 advanced beyond the sphere of contemplation. It would, for obvious 

 reasons, seem to be more tangible to tax the grounds, than the oysters 

 which are planted on them, and this would be more liable to produce 

 the effect desired — that of deterring the planters from taking up more 

 land than they require for immediate use. 



That there may be some foundation for the variances above referred 

 to is not improbable, but that it is the source of as much interference 

 with the interests of tlie clam and natural oyster fisheries as is some- 

 times supposed by those engaged in them is not so certain. The feel- 

 ing of insecurity which the existing unsatisfactory conditions engender 

 has doubtless retarded in some degree the i)rosperity and growth of 

 the planting industry. 



The surface of the bottom is generally composed of mud, but not too 

 soft to bear oysters. The adaptations with regard to the abundance 

 of food seem to be more favorable for the production of seed oysters 

 than for fattening those of mature growth for market. A fairly good 

 set of spat can also be secured on shells or other cultch nearly every 

 year, tending to indicate that with skillful management the available 

 tracts of bottom might be turned into a seed-producing region of con- 

 siderable value. In some localities a very good quality of oysters of 

 marketable size are grown, although they are not large and their 

 growth not rapid, while in others they do not fatten sufflciently every 

 season for market purposes. 



Methods. — The methods of conducting the industry are less system- 

 atic in this region than in some of the other localities in the State. 

 There i* no organization of the oyster-planters except at Barnegat, 

 where an eftbrt was made in 1892 to establish an oystermen's protective 

 association similar to the one existing at Keyport. In this eftbrt the 

 experience common to such movements w^as met with. Many of the 

 planters did not join the new association, and many of those who did 

 reported a much smaller number of bushels of oysters on their grounds 

 than there really were, in order to diminish the tax levied upon them 

 by the association. The rules of the organization provided for a tax 

 of a few cents per bushel, to be assessed on the oysters held in stock 

 on the grounds, to be paid annually to the treasurer, the fund thus 

 collected to be used for paying watchmen to patrol the grounds, or in 

 the prosecution of persons trespassing upon them. At West Creek 

 there is no protective association, but the oystermen emi)loy a watch- 

 man about three months of the year to guard the beds. 



While the number of persons engaged in cultivating oysters is quite 

 large, the quantity planted by each is very small. A great many do 

 not plant more than from 200 or less to 500 bushels per year, others 



