728 GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OP THE FISHERIES. 



that, as at this time a large number of black fish died and came on shore, where their carcasses remained, producing 

 a very filthy condition of the water, it caused this mortality. 



THE FII:ST OYSTERS BROUGHT FROM THE SOUTH. "The inhabitants of the town tried the experiment of bringing 

 oysters ('nun the south, and laying them down on the flats, which succeeded well. In the course of a year they 

 doubled their size, and their quality was much improved. This soon became a large business, and a number of vessels 

 have been employed in the spring of every year in bringing them here. The number of bushels which are annually 

 brought is about 60,000. Nearly all the oyster-shops and stands in Boston and in other cities and towns in this 

 State are supplied from this place, and are kept by persons belonging to tbis town. This business affords a living 

 for many families." A few pages further on, alluding to the native oyster-beds, he says: 



NATIVE OYSTER-BEDS. "Oysters were found in great abundance on the flats at the first settlement, but at this 

 time (17G9) the inhabitants had so increased, and such quantities were taken for consumption and for Boston market, 

 that it became necessary, to prevent their entire destruction, for the district to take measures to preserve and propa- 

 gate them. 



LEGISLATION RELATIVE TO THE OYSTER- FISHERY. 1772, "an act had been passed by the general court, regulat- 

 ing the taking of oysters in Bilingsgate Bay. It was now voted by the district to ask the court to repeal the act BO 

 far that in the three summer months they should not be taken for Boston market, nor in July and August for the use 

 of the inhabitants. 



"The oyster-fishery at this time (1773) appeared to engage the general attention of the inhabitants. A vote was 

 passed to the effect that, whereas the oyster-fishery in this district was the principal support of many of the inhabitants, 

 and of great advantage to the province in general, and, whereas also, it has been greatly hurt and damaged by persons 

 taking the young oysters, and, notwithstanding the law of the province, would be ruined if, not timely prevented, it 

 was therefore agreed to make and adopt by-laws to preserve them." ' 



In 1774 "additional regulations were made for the preservation of the oyster-fishery, in conjunction with doings 

 "of the towns of Eastham, and approved by the court." a 



In 1785 the subject again attracted attention, and among the petitions sent to the general court was one "to 

 prevent the people belonging to other towns from taking oysters and other shell fish in our (Wellileet) Bay"; 3 

 and once more, in 1798, "a petition was presented to the general court for an act to prevent the destruction of 

 .shell-fish." * 



DESTRUCTION OF THE OYSTER-BEDS. The beds did not survive, however, the destruction which took place a 

 few years prior to this time, and the native oyster shortly became practically extinct. Some years later a business 

 of very considerable magnitude sprang up in transplanting oysters from southern grounds and replanting in Well- 

 fleet Harbor. By the year 1846 this business had grown to such an extent that the supply of replanted oysters was 

 almost sufficient to meet the entire demands of Boston market. The Gloucester Telegraph of January 21, 1846, gives 

 the following account of the business, quoted from the Yarmouth Register: 



"Most of the oysters sold in Boston are supplied by inhabitants of the town of Wellflcet. Between thirty and 

 forty Wellfleet vessels have gone south for cargoes. On their return the oysters are taken out and laid down on the 

 flats in the harbor. Each man has a portion of the flats staked off for his exclusive use, and when wanted in Boston 

 he goes to his submarine premises, takes up his oysters and forwards them to the city by the packets. The custom 

 of laying them down at Wellfleet enables the fishermen to keep the market always supplied with fresh oysters. It 

 is said their flavor is improved by being laid down a few months in salt water. On some years many of the oysters 

 laid down die, but generally the increase in the size compensates for the loss in number." 



TRANSPLANTING OYSTERS. Freeman refers to the destruction of native oysters (which, according to him, took 

 l>lace in 1775) and then alludes to the rise and growth of the business of transplanting Southern oysters in the following 

 words: "The town, however, is still noted for this delicious hi valve; and immense quantities are carried hence to 

 Boston and other cities. The fish is supplied by importations from the South, brought and laid in the harbor where 

 they soon acquire the flavor and richness of the old Billinsgate oyster, and in a single year double their size. The 

 business is one of magnitude. In bringing the fish to the, planting-grounds, and in the removal of them after probation, 

 many vessels are employed. Not less than 00,000 bushels was the average of oysters transplanted here annually many 

 years since. The present extent of the business we are unable to define statistically." 6 



BREWSTER. 



CONDITION OF THE FISIIKKIES IN 1862. Freeman, in his History of Cape Cod, commenting on the condition of 

 Brewster in past days, says: "The fisheries were never a prominent business here. They are carried on hereto 

 some extent, less now than formerly. About fourteen or fifteen years ago two vessels, the Emma C. Lathrop and 

 the Miles Standish, were owned in the town. They belonged to Capt. Nathan Crosby, and were employed in the 

 mackerel fishery. 



" The extensive salt works, which once formed no unimportant feature of tlio northerly portion of the town, have, 

 of lato years, been fast disappearing. Some remain (1862) but their numbers and importance are greatly diminished. 



"The alewife fishery received its annual share of attention, an agent being appointed to take care of the town's 

 right to it. This fishery, in Stoney Brook, is less productive than formerly. Fish weirs, constructed on the flats 



1 Pratt, op. cit., p. 12C. i Freeman, op. (., vol. ii, p. 677. 



2 Freeman's History of Cape Cod. Boston, 1862, vol. ii, p. 004. ' Ibid., p. 650. 

 3 rratt, op. ctf., p. 133. 



