1882.] SHELL-FISH COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT. 65 
oysters can always be found. Indeed, they are gathered 
and sent to market all the year round. But they are in 
their best condition and flavor during the months of May, 
November, and December. The extreme cold of the winter 
months tends to check their feeding, and they grow thin 
and poor; so that by spring many of them are so weakened 
that the muddy water caused by the spring freshets and 
gales easily destroys them. The many, however, that escape 
soon recover from the effects of their hibernation, and by 
the last of April are in excellent condition. 
The trade is generally slack through the summer, and is 
brisk during the fall and winter months. Four grades are 
recognized by the Connecticut oystermen: “Cullentines,”’ 
two years and three months old; “Culls,” three years old; 
“Boxes,” four to six years old; and “Extras,” five years 
old and upwards. The first and second are used princi- 
pally for stews, and are sent to market without the shell, 
in cans and kegs. The third and fourth are sent out gen- 
erally in the shell, in bags, boxes, and barrels. Natives 
are in the greatest demand and bring the best prices. The 
supply rarely equals the demand. When the stock of na- 
tives is exhausted, resort is had to the choice Virginia 
plants that havé been a year or more in Connecticut 
waters. 
The quantity of oysters thus sold by the Connecticut 
dealers is enormous; but no satisfactory estimate can be 
given, for want of exact information from the dealers, who 
are naturally unwilling to disclose their private business 
affairs. Before another report is prepared it is hoped that 
some plan will be devised whereby this information may 
be obtained under some assurance of secrecy that will sat- 
isfy the trade. In most other matters of inquiry the com- 
missioners have met the most courteous treatment from 
both classes of oystermen. 
The question of close time upon the natural beds has 
received due attention from the commissioners; but before 
presenting their views a brief account of the American 
oyster may prove instructive and interesting. 
There are three varieties of oysterson the Atlantic. The 
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