58 SHELL-FISH COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT. jJan., 
[Acts and Laws of the State of Connecticut in America, 
A. D. 1784. ] ; 
The policy here indicated was substantially maintained 
for two generations. During this period oyster grounds 
were treated as common lands, and no one could claim 
exclusive right to any portion of them. Hence there was 
little or no encouragement for private enterprise in the 
cultivation of oysters. But in 1855 the State passed a law 
which provided for designations and allotments, by town 
committees, of not exceeding two acres of grounds to one 
person, for his exclusive use for planting and growing 
oysters; it also secured to such person the right of prop- 
erty in the products of his grounds. This liberal law, as 
might have been anticipated, gave a new impulse to oyster 
cultivation in all the shore towns. Lots were immediately 
secured, and within a few years thereafter, hundreds of beds 
were under careful cultivation, so that the oysters of Con- 
necticut were not only abundantly multiplied, but they 
were greatly improved in quality. 
Other laws were passed by the State from time to time, 
as the interests of the industry required, until 1865, when 
the oyster laws were revised and greatly improved. The 
liberal custom of authorizing towns to designate and allot 
two acres of grounds to any one who desired them was 
still maintained. The property was made taxable, and its 
transfer was wisely regulated. More efficient protection 
was given to oyster property, and robbing the beds was 
punished with greater severity. And so a system of laws 
was gradually built up from the earliest times which was 
peculiarly adapted to the needs of the industry. 
The last revision was made in 1875, and a copy of the 
oyster law with amendments and additions since that time 
will be found in the Appendix to this report. 
To the wisdom and liberality of State legislation upon 
this subject, must be attributed in a great degree, the rapid 
expansion of the oyster business. Only one or two laws 
seem to have been ill-advised. For example, the following, 
passed in 1875: Chap. XXII of the Session Laws: “Sec- 
tion 1. That the designation of all places within the nav- 
