OL THE SPATE OF CONNECTICU LE: 15 
But grounds lying east, from Madison to the Connecticut river, 
so far as experimented on, seem to have failed in the necessary 
qualities for the support of the oyster. It is reported that no 
oysters have ever been found in any quantity in this section, and 
some experiments which were made to raise oysters there before 
1882 entirely failed. 
The framers of the law of 1882 providing for designations by 
the Commissioners, anticipated such failures and made provision 
for them-—as appears from Section 6 of Chapter CLX. of the Session 
Laws of 1882, which is as follows: Section 6.—When after the 
occupancy and cultivation of any grounds designated as aforesaid 
by the grantee or his legal representatives, it shall appear to said 
Commissioners that said grounds are not suited for the planting 
or cultivation of oysters, said grantee upon receiving a certificate 
to that effect from said Commissioners, may surrender the same 
or any part thereof, not less than one hundred acres to the State, 
by an instrument of release, of all his rights and title thereto, and 
shall on delivery of such instrument to the said Commissioners 
receive their certificate of said release of said grounds, the location 
and number of acres described therein, which shall be filed with 
the State Treasurer, who shall pay to the holder the sum of one 
dollar for every acre of ground described in said release, where 
said sum has been paid therefor to the State, and the said release 
shall be recorded by the said Commissioners in their record 
books and in the Town Clerk’s office in the town adjacent to and 
within the meridian boundary lines of which said grounds are 
located. 
Under this law during the past year proofs have been filed 
with the Commissioners in several instances by which it has been 
shown to the satisfaction of the Commissioners that certain 
designated grounds off Saybrook and Westbrook are not suited 
for the cultivation of oysters. Mr. Henry C. Rowe, one of the 
largest and most experienced cultivators in the State, has spared 
neither labor nor expense in testing these grounds in the most 
complete and thorough manner, but to his great disappointment 
all his efforts have been without success. ‘The Commissioners 
personally inspected tbe grounds off Saybrook and Westbrook, 
and the evidences of failure were conclusive. The dredges 
brought from the beds bushels of worthless material, consisting 
mainly of shells that had been spread over the grounds with 
spawners for cultivation. Nota live oyster was found after the 
