34 Third Annual Report of the 



this bureau, since we are assured by a number of planters that 

 they will lease lands under the conditions above referred to. In 

 addition, such a policy would tend to the expansion of the oyster 

 industry, and to a substantial increase in the output of a highly 

 valuable and palatable article of food, as well as the employment 

 of increased capital and labor. 



Sanitary Inspection 



During the present year there were enacted amendments to 

 the existing law providing for sanitary inspection of shellfish 

 grounds, and the issuance by the Commission, in proper cases, of 

 a certificate of sanitary condition of the lands and their product. 

 The passage of such an act had been urged upon previous legis- 

 latures, but without success. While the statute itself is satis- 

 factory in form, it has been impossible of enforcement because no 

 appropriation was made for the purpose of carrying into effect 

 its provisions. It is a law of the highest importance, affecting 

 public health. The ultimate cost of enforcement falls upon the 

 oyster industry by reason of a tax of twenty-five cents per acre 

 for sanitary inspection. The initial expense must, of course, 

 be borne by the State, by appropriation, and it is imperative that 

 this important matter should not be slighted or overlooked. A9 

 matters now stand, this Commission is placed in the position of 

 being charged with the enforcement of a law but without the 

 instrumentality through which alone its enforcement is possible. 

 The State Health Department has cheerfully aided us in this 

 work as far as its funds and facilities would permit. 



An Archaic System 



Frequent confusion and misunderstanding relative to the en- 

 forcement of laws for the protection of oyster beds have arisen 

 by reason of the fact that certain towns in Long Island have by 

 legislative enactment been given the right to grant leases under 

 water within town limits. 



A series of enactments passed between 1866 and 1910 deprived 

 the State of the right to regulate the oyster growing industry or 

 to control the execution of oyster leases in particular localities. 



