FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER. 289 



the new order of things in its fullest significance. Like the old-fashioned 

 farmer, he can't bring himself to believe that this mad rush, this ruthless 

 casting aside of old traditions can mean anything but financial disaster, 

 but just as sure as night follows day so must the oysterman lay aside prej- 

 udices and deep-rooted but fallacious opinions, get in the fight and march 

 along with the army of progress, and if it means that in the struggle some 

 are crowded to the wall, some fall never to rise, it is the regrettable but 

 unswerving law of progress and competition, and the sooner the antiquated 

 oysterman girds up his loins, puts on his armor and sallies forth in the van 

 of the army, the sooner he will reap the inevitable reward of intelligently 

 applied efforts and progressive oyster cultivation. 



' The next few years will be devoted to experiments, stimulated by 

 the keen competition I speak of, and money will be lent unsparingly, 

 ungrudgingly, to bring the oyster to the very highest state of perfection. 

 This is the aim of every responsible loyal oysterman, and in accomplishing 

 this result, much that is now done will have to be undone, much that is of 

 importance, will sink into insignificance. The preparation of the ground 

 will receive the most careful attention. The planting of the seed will be 

 accomplished by the most modern and approved methods. The trans- 

 planting and maturing will be looked after with as much attention to details 

 as a farmer would give to his pet bed of strawberries destined to take first 

 prize at the country fair. The marketing of the crop will be the crowning 

 feature of the intense and earnest struggle for commercial recognition, 

 marked by sanitary caution, improved healthy competion and the adop- 

 tion of every system and appliance destined to promote the health and add 

 to the epicurean pleasure of the consumer. 



' The Department of Health, conscious of the absolute necessity of 

 pure food, and noting the rapid strides of this hitherto lethargic industry, 

 has taken the oyster under its wing and the public are assured of its wise 

 and beneficient interest in their behalf to the end that sweet wholesome 

 oysters and no others may be sold. The oyster dealers have placed them- 

 selves on record as inviting any recommendations which the Pure Food Law 

 or the Health Board might suggest. The National Association has appointed 

 a committee, now acting with the Department at Washington, to select 



