70 THE OYSTER. 



beds of the State, with such recommendations as might 

 seem advisable for the protection of the oyster in- 

 dustry, reported that "he has no fears but what the 

 " present oyster supply will be kept up to its present 

 " standard, and within a few years increased. The 

 " supply is now greater, probably, than ever before, and 

 * * the prices higher, takin g the season through. It is the 

 " increased demand and consequent higher prices that 

 '' has created the oyster panic in the public mind to a 

 " great extent. The undersigned is not fully in accord 

 "with the majority report in the belief that the oyster 

 " property of the State is in imminent danger of com- 

 " plete destruction. This is not likely, unless we fail 

 " to give the interest even ordinary care and protection. 

 " Whilst in some localities the beds have been greatly 

 " depleted by overwork, and in others destroyed chiefly 

 " in shalloiv water tonging ground, the beds and bars as 

 "a rule have been greatly enlarged by working them. 

 "... The oyster supply of our waters, taken as a 

 " whole, it is likely is as large as ever it was." 



In view of this statement, and similar ones from 

 other men who have enjoyed every opportunity to 

 learn the truth of the matter and to qualify themselves 

 to speak upon it with authority, it is not at all strange 

 that there should be much confusion in the public 

 mind, and that the prejudiced statements of those who 

 have profited by the destruction of the public property 

 should outweigh the testimony of disinterested 

 students. 



The history of the oyster-beds of Europe, and of 

 those in many of the Northern States, should have 

 been enough to warn us, years ago, of the need for the 



