Conditions in the Northern Field 197 



laws that are, in many of their essential features, similar 

 to these; and though much revision may become neces- 

 sary, it may be stated in a general way that the northern 

 field has solved the legal problems involved in the in- 

 dustry. 



It is interesting to observe that one very desirable 

 provision is omitted from the oyster laws of all states in 

 the Union having mollusk industries. It is one for the 

 protection of the public against shell-fish contaminated by 

 the germs of human diseases, and certainly one that 

 should everywhere be demanded. While the laws of 

 several states prohibit the discharge of sewage into fresh- 

 water streams, none refer to the contamination of salt 

 waters on their boundaries by this means. Neither is it 

 illegal to offer for sale shell-fish taken from such waters. 

 The danger, especially from typhoid fever, is great in 

 such cases, and there is little excuse for this neglect. 



As one leaves the Connecticut shore at New Haven or 

 Bridgeport, he may have the feeling that he is putting out 

 to sea, for the sound is a large body of water. But soon 

 he begins to notice that he is passing many odd-looking 

 buoys. Before long it becomes evident that these are 

 not stationed for the purpose of marking navigation 

 channels, for they are too numerous, and as he looks 

 about, he observes that the water is covered with them 

 in every direction as far as the eye can reach. 



Almost all the way to New York the vessel plows 

 along among cultivated fields, the presence of which 

 would be unknown except for these boundary marks. 

 When their significance is understood, one soon obtains 

 a definite impression of the great extent of the oyster 

 farms that have been constructed in these waste places. 

 It is difficult, however, to realize that here also, as on 



