22 FOURTH REPORT OF SHELL FISH COMMISSIONERS 
believed that under proper restrictions such a bounty would cost the 
State but little, while it might result in making such inroads upon the 
pests as may render them comparatively harmless. They are valuable 
for fertilizing purposes, and may be sold for a sum that would partly 
pay the bounty. But the Commissioners do not recommend any 
particular action. 
The past season has been highly favorable for spawning; there has 
been an abundant set, and up to the Ist inst. it is reported as doing 
well. Thus far the stars do not seem to have been so destructive as 
the year before, and there is good reason to believe that the young 
growth will escape serious molestation. It is when their shells are 
thin and tender that they become an easy prey to these as well as other 
enemies. 
On the 26th day of August, 1884, Mr. James A. Bill succeeded 
Mr. George N. Woodruff as Fish Commissioner, the term of the latter 
having expired on that day. 
Before closing this Report, the Commissioners cheerfully bear wit- 
ness to the industry and faithfulness of Secretary Botsford and Engineer 
Bogart in the discharge of their multifarious duties in the office, and 
to the energy and success of Engineer Sandford and his assistant, Mr. 
Pike, Jr., in their toilsome and hazardous work upon the water. 
The laws passed at the last session of the Legislature, pertaining to 
the oyster industry, will be found in the Appendix of this Report. 
The financial statement for the year ending November 30, 1884, is 
as follows : 
STATEMENT OF THE FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE SHELL FISH 
COMMISSION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING NOV. 30, 1884. 
RECEIPTS. 
Total amount received and paid to State Treasurer, - - $13,731 84 
From the following sources, viz.: 
For deposit fee on applications, - - - - $394 04 
For deeds delivered, - - - Ja Fe - 6,505 68 
For drawing assignments and recording fees of 
Clerk, - 2 = - - - : 138 00 
For private surveys by Engineering Department, 207 05 
For deposit fee on trials of disputed boundaries, 40 00 
For taxes collected, - - - - - - 6,447 07 
——— $13,731 84 
