DESTROYING A FOOD PRODUCING 

 INDUSTRY 



IS IT SOUND PUBLIC POLICY? 



By Henry C. Rowe, Groton, Conn. 



Over forty years ago the State of Connecticut was 

 foremost among all the states in permitting her enter- 

 prising citizens to create an oyster farming industry. 

 During the past ten years, she has by unwise legislation 

 taken the lead toward its destruction. 



Between 1876 and 1880, it was conceded that Connecti- 

 cut had taken the lead in the oyster industry and the 

 most progressive legislators from other states came here 

 to ascertain Connecticut methods and to advocate similar 

 measures in their respective states. 



Between 1870 and 1880, the laws of Connecticut per- 

 mitted certain officials in the coast towns to grant to any 

 citizen, areas of land under water for the purpose of 

 propagating and planting shell fish; they were sold to 

 such citizens at $1.00 per acre. 



For many years the enterprise was regarded as too 

 hazardous for extensive investment, but in 1874 and '75, 

 the more enterprising oyster planters purchased some 

 of the barren grounds in the open waters of Long Island 

 Sound, from one to three miles from land, outside of the 

 bays, harbors and islands where the previous oyster cul- 

 tivation had existed. 



These adventurous planters were ridiculed for such 

 a hare brained investment and it was commonly spoken 

 of as a case of "A fool and his money soon parted." Not- 

 withstanding many losses, dangers and difficulties, these 

 adventurous planters achieved success and before 1878 

 the enterprise was recognized as a promising and grow- 

 ing industry and was rapidly developed and extended. 

 Oysters at that time within these waters grew more 

 rapidly and the meats were much better than in the same 

 areas at the present time. 



