88 AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY. 



ily as they otherwise might do. And in view of the chaotic state 

 of the laws in general, and the peculiar way in which many of 

 them are carried out, it is somewhat to be wondered at that so 

 much has been accomplished in the direction of artificial culture, 

 as has been done. The possibilities in this direction are well 

 illustrated in Jamaica and Hempstead bays, upon the shore of 

 Long Island. In the towns bordering upon these bays, laws 

 have been enacted, under authority from the State, whereby any 

 resident can appropriate three acres or less of land under water, 

 for the purpose of oyster cultivation, and the occupant is pro- 

 tected in his rights and titles to such land, so long as he w(jrks 

 the land and pays the rent upon it. The land under water thus 

 becomes practically the same as the land above water, a perma- 

 nent property of the planter, and is worked just as upland is, to 

 preserve it and yet get as much out of it as possible. The con- 

 sequence is that where a few years ago only a few oysters were 

 raised for market, to-day the industry represents hundreds of 

 thousands of dollars annually, and can be yet greatly increased 

 by the employment of new methods of getting seed and caring 

 for the growing stock. As it is, it represents the most active 

 and progressive oyster center in our waters. 



One great difference between this and other oyster regions is, 

 that here they recognize the value of a thorough working of a 

 small amount of territory, while in other localities the oyster- 

 men generally try to get and hold all the territory they can, witl)- 

 out any particular regard to how well such territory is worked. 

 Some of the other regions are following to a certain extent in 

 the footsteps of the planters of Jamaica and Hempstead bays, 

 and just in this proportion are they meeting with success. While 

 the industrv in the State is, as a whole, in fair condition, so far as 

 regards the number of oysters sent to market, the number be- 

 ing, perhaps, three or four times what it was fifteen vears or so 

 ago. It is not what it ought to be or may become, and the fu- 

 ture supplies will depend largely upon the care with which the 

 oystermen guard the present seed beds and work their planted 

 territory. The possibilities are great, provided advantage is 

 taken of all improved methods of culture, and some desire is 

 shown to perpetuate rather than destroy the natural areas. 



