144 THE OYSTER, 



In some States where grounds are held for private 

 planting, they are taxed, like real estate, and the pro- 

 priety of this measure is unquestionable, for the holder 

 of a valuable franchise should surely pay for the en- 

 joyment of his advantage. In Maryland, however, 

 this is a minor consideration, and the fostering of a 

 prosperous planting industry is vastly more important 

 to all our citizens than an immediate revenue to the 

 public treasury. 



