136 ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



were subjected to a violent storm and " sanded," thus preventing the ship- 

 ment of larger quantities of stock. This seed sold for the phenomenal price 

 of $1.25 per bushel. 



The time required for the transportation of oysters to California has 

 been greatly reduced, the oysters remaining out of water but fifteen days. 



Newly Leased Lands. 



During the year leases of land amounting to 1,629.6 acres have been 

 granted. In addition to this, about 500 acres are in process of being leased, 

 making an increase during the year of 2,129 acres which, added to the lands 

 heretofore granted for shellfish cultivation, shows 30,000 acres of land under 

 the waters of our sounds, bays and harbors (most of which was formerly 

 waste land) now used in the culture of oysters and clams. 



The New York Oyster. 



The New York State oyster is a recognized patrician among bivalves; 

 he is sought eagerly by all classes. Blue Points, Rockaways, East Rivers, 

 etc., are shipped to all portions of the United States and Europe. The day 

 of the specialized oyster saloon seems to be passing, but in lieu of that time 

 honored establishment the butcher, grocer and general market man through- 

 out our land are handling oysters. The taste for this delicious sea food is 

 everywhere growing. It was lately said: " One who has a fondness for 

 oysters to begin with never tires of the savory delights of a shell roast. 

 With impunity and without a fear of ever growing sated or tired, one can 

 eat oysters raw or oysters roasted in the shell 365 days of every year, with 

 the added day in leap year." 



Then why should we not raise more of them? Thousands upon thou- 

 sands of acres under water, adjacent to our coasts, are admirably adapted 

 to this crop and may be made profitable to the planter and become a boon 

 to the masses. In the first annual report of the oyster commission of Louis- 

 iana, it is said: 



" The commission finds that the oyster industry as it is carried on 

 to-day, consists almost exclusively in an absolute dependence on the product 

 of the natural oyster supply. The experience of other states, as found in 

 the studies made by the commission, indicate this to be a most unwise policy. 

 We know of no industry where dependence is had entirely upon the 



