218 THE OYSTER. 



I must insist, however, upon one most important 

 difference between the shad and the oyster. The shad 

 goes out into the ocean to pasture, and it is at this 

 time beyond the direct control of man. During its 

 migration it may pass through the waters of two or 

 three States before it reaches its feeding-ground, and 

 private ownership and protection of shad is impossible. 

 The work of shad-hatching is therefore a proper object 

 for the employment of the Government, but there is 

 no reason for Government oyster-farming, as the 

 oyster is as sedentary as a potato, and it is therefore 

 perfectly adapted for propagation by individuals. 



Among the remedies for the destruction of the oys- 

 ter-beds the shortening of the season is a favorite 

 measure, and it has many advocates. This remedy 

 seems, at first sight, to be an effective one, but a little 

 thought shows that it is, in reality, of no very great 

 value. 



So long as our present oyster policy is maintained 

 it will be necessary to have a closed season to facili- 

 tate the enforcement of other legal measures, but as 

 it is 'clear to every one that a great number of fisher- 

 men working upon a bed for a short season will do 

 just as much damage as a lesser number working for 

 a longer time, we cannot hope that laws to shorten the 

 season will, in themselves, effect any great improve- 

 ment in the condition of the beds. 



Ingersoll gives a very vivid description of the 

 method of fishing in early days, upon one of the 

 natural beds of Connecticut, which was finally exter- 



