Conditions in the Northern Field 193 



tory from starfish and thieves, was impossible under the 

 conditions imposed. Inadequate and absurd as this plan 

 of local control now appears to have been, it was adopted 

 by the majority of the states possessing oyster shores; 

 and even to-day the same ancient and farcical laws pre- 

 vent the establishment of a soft clam industry in New 

 England. 



Since 1880 there has been a gradual change of plan in 

 Connecticut, New York, and in other states, but the old 

 method has not yet been entirely abandoned. Waters in 

 the immediate vicinity of towns, on the shores of some 

 states, are left in their care, though the powers of select- 

 men and oyster committees are limited in such a way that 

 local regulations must conform closely to the general plan 

 governing all waters of the state. On application from 

 the town, the Superior Court may appoint a committee 

 that shall locate natural beds, and the town may then 

 grant perpetual franchises in barren bottoms to be used 

 as oyster beds. A town is not allowed to grant oyster 

 bottoms to its own residents alone. This feature of the 

 system of control is cumbersome and unnecessary, and 

 should be abandoned. But the state now maintains con- 

 trol of the greater part of the oyster territory within its 

 boundaries. While it has reserved six thousand acres of 

 natural beds, the remainder of the bottom is held for 

 sale. 



The real beginning of the present prosperity of the 

 industry was inaugurated by an elaborate survey of the 

 waters of the sound, based on the triangulations of the 

 United States Coast Survey. Large maps, clearly de- 

 fining all holdings, are published from time to time by 

 a state Oyster Commission, and are available to any one 

 desiring them. 



