182 Our Food Mollusks 



only of a small plot to a single person. Connecticut, for 

 example, allowed but two acres. Ordinarily these were 

 quite insufficient for the support of a family, but it was 

 not difficult to evade this provision when a man was al- 

 lowed also to develop the adjacent acres leased by " his 

 sisters, his cousins, and his aunts." In this way a single 

 person often came to control a large area. 



It was soon found that such monopolistic holdings 

 not only worked no injury, but were of great benefit to 

 every one in the neighborhood including those who 

 worked only on the public beds, who found the rapidly 

 extending markets and high prices obtained by the large 

 holder much to their liking. More liberal laws in this 

 state finally allowed the unlimited lease or sale of barren 

 bottoms. This has proved to be the wisest possible pro- 

 vision. 



One interesting provision of the earlier oyster laws 

 that has, in some states, been preserved in those now in 

 operation, is the close season. Where this is in force, 

 oysters may not be dredged or marketed during the sum- 

 mer months. Southern states particularly should note 

 that experience in the northern field has proved the futil- 

 ity of the close season as a protection to the natural beds, 

 and should recognize the injustice of allowing a culturist 

 tc market a commodity, produced on his own property, 

 only during a limited season. It is an unjust and purpose- 

 less restriction. 



The entire futility of a close season as a provision to 

 preserve natural beds, is well illustrated by the destruc- 

 tion in early days of natural beds near New Haven, 

 Conn. This has been graphically described by Air. Inger- 

 soll as follows : — ■ 



" The fishing was done mainly for each man's winter 



