182 Second Annual Report of the 



views in the matter of improving conditions in this branch of 

 the State's industries, with the object of bringing about a better 

 understanding of what would be best to stimulate this line of 

 business to the end that greater production of this natural wealth 

 be attained and relations mutually beneficial to the oyster growers 

 and the State be achieved. In addition to these meetings many 

 communications making inquiry along these lines were sent out 

 and numerous replies received. These oyster growers are prac- 

 tically unanimous in expressing their opinion that untried 

 grounds, which have no natural growth, should be leased for a 

 short term of years at a nominal figure for experimental pur- 

 poses and that a basis of fixed rental be arrived at in case the 

 ground should prove susceptible of cultivation, and in case it 

 should not so prove, to revert back to the State on expiration of 

 the short lease. I believe there is much that can be said in 

 favor of this or some similar plan which will encourage the de- 

 velopment of untried lands which do not appeal to growers as 

 worth while risking the usual rental, cost of cleaning and plant- 

 ing, with natural conditions apparently unfavorable. Some plan 

 of classification would no doubt have to be adopted in order that 

 a price which would be fair to the State and oyster producers be 

 arrived at. The plotting and examination previously referred 

 to would assist in determining values. The State would event- 

 ually gain a material increase of revenue from its oyster proper- 

 ties by success in development of many of these untried areas, 

 most of which will probably lie dormant indefinitely, while if 

 experiment is successful, additional food product and wealth is 

 created. A contributory benefit incident to having as much land 

 as possible under cultivation is the carrying by the tides of spawn 

 to nearby localities, thereby creating natural beds where none 

 now exist, this being made probable by reason of the oyster's 

 natural way of reproducing itself. 



The sanitary inspection of shellfish grounds was discussed at 

 the meetings referred to, and the general opinion was expressed 

 that this section of tlie Conservation Law should have means for 

 enforcement and apply to all shell-fish grounds. An efficient 

 system of examination, administered in such a way that all 

 oysters marketed bear the official seal for wholesomeness and 



