250 GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES. 



tbe peninsula of Capo Cod. Tbe river flowing down past Buzzard's Bay station is the Monument, 

 a clear, broad stream, up and down which the tide rushes with great force. 'Wild' native oysters 

 inhabited this stream, but had been pretty nearly exhausted by constant raking, when the atten- 

 tion of the town authorities of Sandwich was called to the matter a few years ago. They caused 

 a survey of this ami the various other oyster waters of the township, and divided them off into 

 'grants' of different sizes, according to the character of the bottom, but none less than about an 

 acre and a half in extent. These grants could be taken by any citizen of the town, under certain 

 conditions, upon the payment of $2.50. If not improved within a year they reverted to the town. 

 Each grant, as soon as taken, and no matter what the value of the stock upon it, was taxed at a 

 valuation of $50. 



"The people were quick to take advantage of ttiesc legal permits, and it was not long before 

 nearly all space of value was appropriated, and wild speculation began; but it is only within the 

 last three or four years that much business has been done, or systematic efforts at transplanting 

 and stocking have been introduced. There arc now about fifty owners on Monument Eiver, 

 Cohasset Eiver, and in Little Bay, and a careful estimate of money invested gives $30,000 as the 

 probable value of grants, stock on hand (November, 1879). and appurtenances. Many of the grants 

 are as yet very slightly stocked with oysters. 



"The Monument River oysters were famous in olden times for their superior quality and size. 

 'They opened well,' Ihe oystermcn said; that is, there was a large proportion of meat to the 

 shell, which was thin, brittle, and much scalloped. The first idea was simply to hold, as proprie- 

 tors, the seed which were caught upon the grants from the natural bed at the mouth of the river; 

 and, to facilitate this catching, more or less dead shells have been thrown down. But the more 

 enterprising planters have laid down great deposits of seed oysters, purchased chiefly in Wareham, 

 and these are just now beginning to produce their legitimate returns, having grown to a marketable 

 size. Some fresh seed is put down every year, but in addition to this, it is expected that large 

 accessions will be made by spawn caught from the natural bed and from the spawning of the planted 

 oysters. Since 1874, however, very little spawn has been caught. In that year a vast quantity 

 appeared, but arrangements were not made to avail themselves of it. 



" The amount of seed placed upon a grant varies with the pocket .ami theory of the owner, from 

 100 to 500 bushels on an acre; perhaps 200 bushels would be an average of actual planting. The 

 seed from one to two years old is used and preferred. It is generally planted in the spring, when 

 it can be bought for from 30 to 35 cents a bushel; but it is thought much better to plant it in the 

 fall, although then from GO to SO cents is asked for the seed. It costs about 10 cents a bushel to 

 throw down. The best bottom (found everywhere here) is hard sand, a little soft on top. The 

 average depth of water on the beds is 3 feet; but some stock is planted where it is exposed or just 

 covered at ebb-tide, the objection to this being the danger of damage from drifting ice, for the 

 mere resting of the ice on the oysters is not usually harmful, provided they lie flat on the sand. 

 The calculated cost of beginning business along this river now would be about as follows: 



Present cost of good ground (1 grant) $40 



Seeding, 300 busliels at 50 cents .' 150 



Sail-boat and row-boat K> 



Beach, shanty, and furniture 40 



Rake, tongs, shovels, and tools 10 



Incidentals 65 



Total.. . 360 



