26 SEVENTH REPORT OF THE SHELL FISH COMMISSIONERS 
growing. Its system has received the unqualified approval of the 
most intelligent experts at home and abroad. With slight modi- 
fications its laws and its legal forms have been followed in the 
State of New York and in North Carolina; and Commissioners 
from Norway and Germany have recognized Connecticut methods 
as worthy of study and imitation. Indeed the Commissioners are 
frequently called to answer letters addressed to them from differ- 
ent States of the Unionand from foreign lands, asking for informa- 
tion touching the system and the methods and results of their 
work. 
SIGNAL STATIONS. 
Great care was observed in building the signal station struct- 
ures along the shore of the State, and they are all in excellent 
condition. They are annually inspected and repaired. The last 
spring’s inspection showed that with the exception of painting 
there was little or nothing in the way of repairs required. The 
signal at Shippan Point was improved in appearance to gratify 
the wishes of the owner of the site, who had built a handsome 
house in its neighborhood. 
DESIGNATIONS. 
Since the last report, Nov. 1, 1886, thirty-two applications have 
been made, covering an aggregate of 2,372.3, acres of grounds. 
Upon these applications and upon previous ones pending at that 
date there were twenty-two designations made, covering an ag- 
gregate of 1,126,2, acres. Sixteen deeds have been delivered and 
paid for covering an aggregate of 969 acres; and netting to the 
State Treasury $1,065.90. Thirty-two applications are now pend- 
ing for an aggregate of 1,081 acres, each of which will be acted 
upon at the earliest practicable moment. The whole number of 
acres now under Commissioners’ jurisdiction is as follows: 
Total area granted prior to the date of the last report was, - 84,537.8 acres. 
Area granted since last report, - - - . - - 969.0 ** 
Total area granted, - - - - - - = ScasOOs Orn am 
Deduct area of grounds surrendered, - - - = - Ges OSs em 
Total area now held by owners, = = es = =) 1 785088.3 ee 
It is worthy of note that of this acreage not one-fourth part 
(about 21 per cent.) is cultivated! The owners may be classified 
in respect to their respective holdings about the same as last year. 
There is some falling off in the aggregate extent of cultivated 
grounds. ‘This is due to two causes especially: One the sur- 
