FIFTH REPORT OF SHELL FISH COMMISSIONERS 15 
These steamers find continual employment keeping the buoys 
in place on the oyster grounds, clearing up new grounds, trans-. 
porting and laying down shells and other culch for catching a set 
—dredging the beds for star-fish—collecting oysters for transport- 
ing them to beds more favorable for their growth—and finally 
dredging them up and carrying them to market. Many seed 
oysters are now sold to cultivators in neighboring States—Rhode 
Island, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey. The demand 
for native seed oysters from Connecticut waters is increasing every 
year. This is unquestionably due to their superior excellence. 
This growing trade with neighboring States ; the constantly ex- 
panding demand from the most distant parts of the country for 
shell, canned and pickled oysters ; and the rapid increase of for- 
eign exportation, make it probable that whatever may be the area 
of grounds planted in the waters of the State, the demand will 
keep pace withthe supply. 
Every year affords new evidence that the methods adopted by 
Connecticut for developing and promoting its oyster industries 
were timely and wise. The laws granting a perpetual license of 
the grounds at trifling cost—the clearing up of titles—the adjust- 
ment of boundaries and the protection of growing crops, these 
have placed the business of cultivating upon a basis that inspires 
confidence and encourages effort. 
It is gratifying to know that this system meets the unqualified 
approval of experts like Lieut. Winslow and Prof. Goode of 
Washington. The former, whose superior knowledge of the 
oyster in all its relations, acquired through many years of study 
and observation of natural beds and cultivated grounds, in all 
parts of the United States and in Europe, says : 
“*T do not know of any State that has made so great an advance in this matter 
as Connecticut. By examining the legislation on the subject for the last four 
or five years, it may easily be seen that it is of the most practical nature, and it 
is based on sound business principles. The people of Connecticut, proverbially 
shrewd, have certainly managed to get all the milk out of this particular co- 
coanut.” 
Prof. Goode, another expert of the highest authority upon the 
subject, says : 
‘‘T have been looking into the history of the oyster industry of Europe lately 
and am convinced that Connecticut is putting into practice the best system of 
oyster culture in the world. The manner in which that State is dealing with 
the questions of fishery legislation is certainly extremely interesting and worthy 
