THE OYSTER INDUSTRY OF NEW JERSEY. 499 



The first section oi the act fullowing thiri preamble provided for a 

 close-time season from May 10 to September 1 of each year, and the sec- 

 ond section was directed against non-residents, making it unlawful for 

 them, either directly or indirectly, to take any oysters or shells from 

 the beds and put them on board any boat or vessel not wholly owned 

 by residents of the province, under jjenalty cf seizure and confiscation 

 of the boat or vessel with all apparatus, together with the oysters that 

 had been illegally taken. These x^rovisions were broad enough to allow 

 the use of proper methods necessary to the successful prosecution of 

 the natural oyster fisheries, or the introduction of any good system of 

 oyster-culture, and are at the same time sufficiently conservative, if 

 strictly applied, to protect the rights of the citizens from infringement 

 by citizens of other States or abridgment by unjust legislation. 



Prior to 1856 operations in the Delaware Eiver and Bay were con- 

 fined almost exclusively to the natural beds. Considerable difficulty 

 was experienced in protecting the beds from depredations committed 

 by citizens of the neighboring States. In 1825 an incorporated stock 

 comjiany, known as the ''New Jersey-Delaware Oyster Company," was 

 formed, with a view to rendering the protection of the beds more eflect- 

 ual and improving the industry. This was the first organized effort 

 that had been made in connection with the oyster industry in these 

 waters. It failed, however, to accomplish the object desired, and its 

 management was so unsatisfactory to the stockholders that the com- 

 pany soon became involved in litigation. 



In 1856, by an act of the legislature, the planting of oysters in Maurice 

 Elver Cove was authorized under regulations similar to those now in 

 operation in Shark Eiver. It is evident from the preamble of this act 

 that during the long period of one hundred and thirty-seven years since 

 the passage of the law of 1719, which was general in its application, 

 little progress had been made in developing the great natural resources 

 of this region, and no satisfactory system for regulating and conducting 

 the industry on the broad lines above indicated had been crystallized. 

 The disadvantages under which persons engaged in the business were 

 then laboring were set forth by the preamble of this act as follows : 



Whereas, it has been represented to the legislature of the State of New Jersey 

 that Maurice River Gove, on the southern shore of the township of Downe, in the 

 county of Cumberland, is particularly adapted to the growth of oysters, but that by 

 reason of the iuterfereuce of citizens of other States, aud the want of more ade- 

 quate protection to persons planting oysters therein, the same has become almost 

 valueless as oyster-ground; now for the purpose of encouraging the planting and 

 growth of oysters in said cove, and thus creating and confining at home a source 

 of wealth which is now either undeveloped or enjoyed by citizens of other States. 



The act was approved March 14, 1856, and one year, or until April 1, 

 1857, was allowed for making the preparations and arrangements nec- 

 essary to render its provisions available to the oystermen. It provided* 

 that the board of chosen freeholders of the county of Cumberland 

 should be authorized and empowered to occupy Maurice Eiver Cove for 



