6 
themselves that they can secure a title or gain any advantage over 
honest applicants, will be wise in time, and if they wish to hold 
the ground they occupy, they will make inimediate application and 
pay for the same. 
NATURAL BEDS. 
The difficulties attending the work of outlining, surveying and 
mapping the natural beds were fully explained in the Report of 1883. 
The conclusion then reached by the Commissioners was that arbitrary 
straight lines, which were approximately true, were the only practical 
boundary lines for these beds; these lines to be so chosen that the 
entire natural bed shall be enclosed ; while each line shall have a 
convenient range with prominent objects on the shore, so that the 
oystermen can readily find, and keep within, the limits of the bed. 
The Commissioners have followed this rule in exploring, surveying 
and mapping the natural beds of the State; and they have completed 
their work upon all except the Fish-Island and the Roton-Point Beds. 
Relative to these, a number of hearings have been had and consider- 
able testimony of a conflicting character has been taken. The beds 
have been explored by dredging and otherwise; but with the excep- 
tion of the South line, commonly known as ‘‘the old Committee’s 
line,” an exact description, at present, is impracticable. Besides this, 
the territory on and around the beds is in litigation, and as valuable 
interests are involved, the Commissioners deem it unwise to prejudice 
in any way by their decision the interests of contending parties. 
A complete description of the eight natural beds which have been 
determined will be found in the appendix to this report. They have 
been carefully prepared, and the Commissioners respectfully recom- 
mend that they be ratified and confirmed by statute. 
The following is a list of these beds : 
Cormell Reef, Natural Bed, - - - - - 15 
Portchester, as a : z 2 _ . 218 
Great Captains, ‘“ ac - = 5 s = 152 
Field Point, es as - - - - - 84 
Greenwich Point, “ a6 = = = = = 403 
Fairfield Bar and Fairfield, Natural Bed, - - = 15237, 
Bridgeport, a ae - : : 334 
Stratford, sf oe ® 2 Sa e55 
Total number of acres, - - - - - 5,498 
