FOREST, FISH AXD GAME COMMISSIONER. II 7 



them abundantly resources must be had to modern machinery and up-to- 

 date methods of cultivation. This can only be secured through the enlist- 

 ment of capital which demands a clear title to the grounds cultivated." 



Also this from TJte Record: "In all lines of business there is ever the 

 unprogressive element, and the oyster industry is no exception. Jealous of 

 their more successful neighbors, these few prefer to hinder rather than adopt 

 modern methods. 



" The capitalized companies operating steam dredges and cultivating 

 large areas are the ones upon whom we must really depend for our supply 

 in the future. Meanwhile, the petty complaints of the unprogressive will 

 have no effect on the industry at large."' 



The constantly growing demands of the market require the largest pos- 

 sible production, and were the industry not protected in its property rights 

 linst all intruders, improved and up-to-date machinery and appliances 

 Id not be used and the business would slip backward until it would 

 amount to no industry at all. Even were a crop already planted, culti- 

 vated and ready to garner dependent upon those objectors to be gathered 

 and marketed, they must fail. A gentleman who has given the subject 

 siderable study and attention recently said, "You might as well attempt 

 harvest the whole wheat crop of the Northwest with a sickle as to 

 depend upon the natural growthers with their primitive implements to take 

 up the oyster crop." 



Were these objectors in earnest in their expressed desire to earn their 

 livelihood by work, the system employed by the State would be found to 

 be of the greatest benefit to them, for they, too, may lease the lands. There 

 is and can be no monopoly in this matter as the lands are leased, in each 

 case to the highest bidder after due advertisement, and are usually taken by 

 the applicant at twenty-five cents per acre per annum which is the minimum 

 price as fixed by statute. That such opportunities, at a price that is merely 

 nominal, are not utilized by the objectors would seem to indicate that the 

 labor of making a crop is not coveted by them. It cannot be urged that 

 capital is indispensable in starting this business, as most of the successful 

 planters have progressed from the very smallest beginnings. 



In view of the increasing demand for shellfish, there has been a tend- 

 ency to adopt measures for limiting the supply. For instance, there has 

 been legislation by means of which close seasons have been established, 

 or the size of the shellfish that may be taken limited, etc., the idea appar- 

 ently being to conserve the supply. But would it not be better to increase 



