196 Our Food Mollusks 



than a smaller one that would pay a larger direct tax for 

 its existence. Rhode Island and some other states have 

 adopted the latter plan. 



The market value of Connecticut oyster beds varies as 

 real estate values do everywhere. The valuation prob- 

 ably ranges from one to forty dollars an acre, and in a 

 few cases is much greater. 



One of the most important features of the Connecticut 

 law is the provision it makes for the protection of own- 

 ers of private beds. A number of state police are em- 

 ployed to protect private grounds, and are given the 

 power of sheriffs in making arrests and seizures. 



The law also provides that sheriffs and constables, as 

 well as oyster police, shall, and that any other person 

 may, seize any boat or vessel illegally used in dredging, 

 wherever found after the offense has been committed, 

 within one year. If now such property is proved to 

 have been used contrary to law, it is sold, and half the 

 proceeds is paid to the person making the seizure. 



If every other state owning oyster grounds possessed 

 such a law as that of Connecticut directed against oyster 

 thieves, and would enforce it, that form of larceny, so 

 exasperating in some localities, would be controlled. It 

 provides a maximum fine of five hundred dollars, or im- 

 prisonment for one year. American criminal proceed- 

 ings are notoriously lax everywhere, and it is not sur- 

 prising that arrested men are often discharged, and that 

 others have their cases appealed ; but on the whole, prop- 

 erty in Long Island Sound is as well protected as on the 

 land. Fines and imprisonment are also provided as pen- 

 alties for injuring oyster inclosures or buoys used in 

 bounding them. 



The other states of the northern field possess oyster 



