298 FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



This important work having been accomplished, it may be said, as an 

 incident to the regular fresh water work of the hatchery, we are led to con- 

 sider what results might be attained by a hatchery designed and properly 

 equipped for salt water work! That such an equipment will ultimately 

 be had, we have no doubt. In the meantime it is estimated that with a 

 moderate expansion of facilities in this direction the superintendent of the 

 Cold Spring Harbor hatchery could readily add 500,000,000 or 600,000,000 

 fry of marine species to his output. This would involve the erection of a 

 small building with necessary hatching jars and appliances at Montauk, a 

 location favorable for the collection of the eggs of the lobster and other 

 species. The lobster fishermen would be largely interested in such a project 

 and have already intimated that a suitable site for such a plant might be 

 leased by the State at a nominal rental. Two additional men, during a 

 portion of the season, would be added to the superintendent's force. It is 

 estimated that these results may be obtained at an annual cost of twenty- 

 five hundred dollars ($2,500). In considering the advisability of such an 

 expenditure, it should be remembered that the fish it is proposed to produce 

 would not be for the amusement of the sportsman and game fisherman 

 alone, but would constitute an important item of food supply, through the 

 markets, for the people at large. 



Your superintendent recommends that an appropriation of twenty- 

 five hundred dollars ($2,500) be made for this purpose. 



Condition of the Industry 



It has been a good year for the oyster industry. The fisheries and 

 opening plants have been kept in successful operation, many thousands of 

 men have been, directly or indirectly, kept employed. Planters are enlarg- 

 ing their holdings, being ever on the lookout for favorably located new 

 grounds. The markets have been reasonably good, and there is much 

 cause for encouragement. It is not intended to convey the idea that there 

 has been during the year no hardships or adverse conditions, for such have 

 existed and were so intense and real as to be severely felt. There has been 

 a poor oyster set, that is, the young or seed oysters did not appear upon the 

 beds as plentifully as they sometimes do. Notwithstanding the fact that 



