OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. 19 
Another Connecticut grower shipped five thousand barrels, valued 
at twenty thousand dollars, the past year. 
Another shipped to California six thousand two hundred and fifty- 
nine bushels. 
Another made foreign shipments aggregating ten thousand dollars. 
Another shipped two thousand bushels. 
Another shipped twelve hundred barrels. 
These are but a few items which the Commissioners have been able 
to gather from the oystermen. 
To obtain more complete statistics of the industry of the State, the 
Commissioners sent out to the oystermen about three hundred and 
_ fifty circulars containing inquiries pertaining to the business. Of 
these only sixty answers were received—some of which were of no 
value. The rest, as far as they went, were on some points very 
instructive. Out of forty steamers only seven were reported—and out 
of a fleet of probably three hundred sail vessels only forty-three were 
returned. These reported vessels vary from 2%% to 100 tons, and show 
an average of about 18 tons each, with an average capacity of about 
50 bushels each, varying from 30 bushels to 2,000 bushels. The 
number of their employees, including vessel hands, varies, according 
to the season, from 200 to 300 persons. 
The quantity of oysters taken by these owners, with 7 steamers and 
43 sail vessels, aggregates 230,000 bushels, varying in price from 40 
cents to $1.35 per bushel. 
There seems to be a great disinclination on the part of most of the 
oystermen to answer any inquiries about the extent of their business. 
Such questions are looked upon by them as an impertinence. And 
perhaps it would be an impertinence if the object was not a worthy 
one. The Commissioners have tried to get the information, but have 
failed. When the oystermen appreciate the importance of correct 
statistics about their business they will doubtless answer the Commis- 
sioners with more alacrity. It is obvious that the sixty answers, 
where there ought to be three hundred and fifty, are insufficient data 
for accurate deductions. To those oyster growers who promptly 
responded to their inquiries, the Commissioners present their grateful 
acknowledgments. — 
The answers in regard to the star fish were interesting and instruct- 
ive. They show that many cultivators have entirely escaped them, 
while others, a very large number, have suffered serious loss. It is 
estimated that over fifty thousand bushels of stars have been caught 
and destroyed by the oyster growers the past year. In certain neigh- 
