Class VI. 



OSTREA. OYSTER. 



231 



page of the History of Rochester j in 1 2mo. pub- 

 lished in 1776. 



' Great part of the inhabitants of Stroud are 

 ' supported by the fisheries, of which the oyster 

 ■ is most considerable. This is conducted by 

 a company of free dredgers, established by 

 prescription, but subject to the authority and 

 government of the mayor and citizens of Ro- 

 chester. In 1729 an act of parliament was 

 obtained, for the better management of this 

 fishery, and for confirming the jurisdiction of 

 the said mayor and citizens, and free dredgers. 

 The mayor holds a court of admiralty every 

 year, to make such regulations as shall be 

 necessary for the well conducting this valu- 

 able branch of fishery. Seven years appren- 

 ticeship entitles a person to the freedom of 

 this company. All persons catching oysters, 

 not members of the fishery, are liable to a 

 penalty. The company frequently buy brood 

 or spat from other parts, which they lay in 

 this river, where they soon grow to maturity. 

 Great quantities of these oysters are sent to 

 London j to Holland, Westphalia, and the ad- 

 jacent countries.' 



