OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT: 9 
varied experience. Last year and the year before he rejoiced 
over an unusually good set; but this year, on many acres, 
there is little or no set at all. 
On the 13th of September, 1885, a heavy storm from the south- 
east passed over the Sound, whereby many oysters on the shallow 
water beds were swept away and destroyed, and portions of the 
natural beds were for a time buried in sand. Natural beds are 
subject to such sand irruptions, but do not seem to be per- 
manently injured by them. 
DESIGNATIONS. 
Since the last report, which was made up to July 1, 188s, 
sixty applications have been made, covering in the aggregate 
4,882,1, acres of oyster grounds. Upon these applications and 
others previously made there have been designated 2,381.6 
acres; 47 deeds have been delivered and paid for, bringing into 
the treasury the sum of $2,619.76. 14 applications are now 
pending. ‘These will be heard in due course of business. 
The whole number of acres heretofore designated and now 
under Commissioners’ jurisdiction is as follows: 
Grounds granted before the Commissioners’ time, - 33,987.9 acres. 
Grounds granted by the Com’rs at date of last report, 45,667.85 ‘' 
Grounds granted by the Com’rs since last report, = 4, S82.t0 
Total area designated, = - = = - §4,537.8 acres. 
Of these grounds 20,714.2 acres are cultivated, and the rest, 
63,823.60 acres are uncultivated. 
The total number of proprietors is 434, of which 96 own ten 
acres and under ; 40 own over ten acres and under twenty-six ; 
148 own over 25 and under ror acres; and 150 Own over 100 
acres. 
The number of acres cultivated in 1885 was 16,201.7; the 
number cultivated now is 20,714.02, showing an increase of 
Acre. 22 ACTS, 
This increase in the area of cultivated ground, although many 
acres have failed to produce crops in the past two years, is 
indicative of the continued growth of the oyster industry of the 
State. But the best index of this growth is in the steady enlarge- 
ment of the steam fleet engaged in the business. In 1884 there 
were forty steamers on the list; in 1885 there were forty-nine ; 
this year, 1886, there are sixty, of which the following is a com- 
plete description : 
