OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



127 



bedding of southern oysters that experiments were soon made in rearing 

 oysters. This proved successful from the start, and within a few years 

 the extensive grant system which is now in vogue was inaugurated on 

 Cape Cod and Buzzards Bay. 



These three methods, although separated by definite periods in which 

 each have been the leaders, remain to a greater or less extent at the 

 present day. The natural beds are still in existence, and, as at Ware- 

 ham, are opened once in three or seven years, according to the discre- 

 tion of the selectmen, for catching " seed." The summer bedding of 

 oysters still continues, as certain planters find it more profitable to 

 fatten than to grow oysters, and the oyster grant system is now in full 

 operation. 



A comparison of the industry of 1907 with that of 1879 shows several 

 changes. These changes are for the most part improvements which 

 have arisen with the development of the industry. In some cases the 

 changes have been detrimental, and a few localities have shown a de- 

 cline. New fields have opened to the oysterman both in new localities 

 and through the extension of the present beds. On the whole, there 

 has been a great increase in the grant system of oyster culture, while 

 the " bedding " of southern " plants," which in 1879 employed many 

 men, boats and extensive capital, has practically disappeared. The 

 annual production has increased gradually, and for 1906-07 is approxi- 

 mately five times as large as in 1879. The following figures, except 

 for 1907, are taken from the United States Fish Commission's reports, 

 and show the gradual increase in production : 



1 Returns of the Massachusetts department on fisheries and game. 



The Oyster Laws. 



In submitting a complete report upon the oyster industry, the oyster 

 laws, which have played an important part in the development of the 

 fishery, cannot be totally neglected. However, so important a subject 

 demands separate investigation, and offers excellent opportunities for 

 legal research. Therefore it is not the purpose of this report to give 

 more than a brief account of the present oyster laws and their history. 



The shellfish laws of Massachusetts constitute the foundation of the 

 oyster industry, as they have taken a practically extinct native fishery 

 and have built up the present extensive business. So closely are they 

 connected with its welfare that the future of this growing industry 

 depends upon the proper expansion of these laws to meet the new 

 conditions. 



