1 72 THE OYSTER. 



grounds as public property, except oyster culture by a 

 co-operative organization of oystermen, is cultivation 

 by the State, and our past history shows conclusively 

 that the State can do nothing unless it be supported 

 by the intelligent co-operation of the oystermen. If 

 they are able to co-operate effectively for the enforce- 

 ment of the laws, they are able to co-operate for the 

 improvement and protection of their own business ; 

 they can manage it for themselves very much better 

 than the State can do, and they do not need State aid. 

 Every oysterman will agree with me that if the money 

 which is now paid for licenses is to be be spent in the 

 improvement of the public beds, the oystermen them- 

 selves would be more able, under a co-operative sys- 

 tem, than any salaried officers who might be appointed 

 by the State, to use it to advantage. 



State protection has so far proved a total failure, 

 and I do not see any way to save the public beds, as 

 common fishing grounds, except the one which I have 

 proposed. If this is not practicable, the sooner the 

 natural beds are thrown open to private cultivators, the 

 better it will be for all concerned. 



The artificial culture of salt-water food-fishes is 

 proper work for the State, for these fishes are migra- 

 tory; they cannot be confined or restricted to one 

 spot, and there is no way to secure to individuals the 

 enjoyment of the fruits of their own industry in this 

 field of work. The case of the oyster is quite different. 

 The animal is as fixed and sedentary as a potato, and 

 its cultivation is as simple as any other branch of agri- 



