64 American Fisheries Society 



In the meantime, however, the oyster industry had 

 grown very rapidly up to the time of the inception of 

 the Commission in 1881, and from that time until 1885 

 the growth continued, although at a much slower rate, 

 until about 1890. This was not because of any encourag- 

 ment or assistance by the Commission, but rather in' spite 

 of the hindrance and obstructions created by it. 



From 1876 until somewhat later than 1890, the busi- 

 ness was prosperous and profitable, and to a much less 

 degree it remained so between 1890 and 1900. 



With the increase of the quantity of oysters in Con- 

 necticut waters, it has been found that the growth of the 

 oysters has very much diminished and the meats are as 

 a rule not as well nourished. Whether these results are 

 attributable to a diminution of the food and shell mate- 

 rial in the water owing to the great increase in the quan- 

 tity of oysters, or whether it is due to various other 

 causes which have been suggested, is not yet perhaps 

 definitely decided. 



As oysters furnish food to the star-fish, the increase in 

 this food has at various times much increased the num- 

 ber of star-fish, so that great expense has been entailed 

 to catch and destroy them. In addition to natural causes, 

 there are other reasons why the industry in the State of 

 Connecticut is now steadily declining and the acreage of 

 oyster grounds held by planters in the state has greatly 

 decreased in recent years. 



One of the most depressing influences has been the 

 unjust and unreasonable taxation of oyster grounds. 



Prior to 1893, the law with reference to the taxation of 

 the franchises for oyster grounds, was that the grounds 

 should be assessed at their fair market value, and should 

 pay a tax of ten mills upon this valuation. The basis for 

 this taxation was that oyster farming was analogous to 

 farming, on land. Both are food producing and both de- 

 pend upon the propagation and planting of crops by the 

 farmer. In both, the crops must be protected and cared 

 for, and must be harvested and marketed when they ar- 

 rive at maturity, if not lost during the five years of 

 growth required for oysters. 



