224 THE OYSTER, 



require so much restriction for the next two or three 

 years that there would be no profits, and only a very 

 scanty living. Unfortunately, this is true, but it will 

 be true under any system, and at present things are 

 growing worse with no prospect of improvement, 

 while under intelligent co-operation they would im- 

 prove rapidly after the first two years. The oyster- 

 men complain that they have no capital to bridge over 

 this gap, but they will have to get over it somehow, in 

 any case. At present thfry cannot borrow, for they 

 have no prospect of better times ahead. 



If, however, the community were convinced that the 

 organization could be relied upon to develop and im- 

 prove the property intrusted to it, there would be no 

 difficulty in raising the necessary capital, and the 

 amount which is now paid by the State for licenses 

 would go a long way towards the improvement of the 

 beds. 



The only plan for the management of the public 

 oyster-grounds, except oyster culture by a co-opera- 

 tive organization of oystermen, is cultivation by the 

 State, and our past history shows conclusively that 

 the State can do nothing unless it be supported by the 

 intelligent co operation of the oystermen. If they are 

 able to co-operate effectively for the enforcement of 

 the laws, they are able to co-operate for the improve- 

 ment and protection of their own business ; they can 

 manage it for themselves very much better than the 

 State can do, and they do not need State aid. Every 

 oysterman will agree with me that if the money 

 which is now paid for licenses is to be spent in the 

 improvement of the public beds, the oystermen them- 



