470 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSJON. 
islands.”*'' The oyster grounds not embraced within the area designated by this act 
were within the jurisdiction of the municipal authorities, and under the same law and 
regulations as before : a large part, however, had previously been assigned for private 
use. 
By this enactment the oyster areas were divided into two classes; that under the 
Shellfish Commission, known as the “State grounds;” and the “town grounds,” 
which were unaffected by the new law. But the area of the latter is so small (6,874 
acres, or one-tenth of the total amount) that this discussion will be substantially 
limited to a consideration of the State grounds. 
In the language of the Shellfish Commissioners: 
By its liberal provisions all old titles are confirmed and future titles are to be made certain by 
approved legal forms ; while all who wish to embark in the business of oyster culture can secure 
grounds at the merely nominal price of $1.10 per acre; grounds, too, that will not fail to yield to well- 
directed effort and insure an abundant pecuniary return. 
Other enactments followed, until at present the title to and confidence in the ten- 
ure of oyster franchises are as well assured as the titles to the lauds above water ; and 
so favorable to the promotion of the oyster industry has been this and the subsequent 
legislation that, in the trip of investigation from one end of the State to the other 
made by Mr. Stevenson, nothing in the line of legal patronage or protection was found 
wanting. 
During the first month in which the commission was organized applications were 
received for 31,263.5 acres, or about one-tenth of the total area under its control; but 
of the amount thus applied for only about one-third was designated, due to conflicting 
applications and failure on the part of applicants to comply with the necessary re- 
quirements. 
The establishment of the commission resulted in securing satisfactory relations 
between the officials and those engaged in the oyster industry. The result has been 
exceedingly gratifying, and it is a matter of State pride that, starting with conditions 
less favorable than in some other localities, an important business enterprise has been 
built up, and the fact has been clearly and forcibly demonstrated that the prosperity of 
a great commonwealth may be materially advanced by the proper utilization of areas 
of sea-bottom within its jurisdiction. 
The organization of the Shellfish Commission, and the assurance that a proper legal 
title could be secured for grounds, induced the oyster-planters to enter into the business 
with energy and determination. The growth of the industry was marvelous. Large 
areas of ground were purchased. Larger steamers and improved apparatus of cap- 
ture were rapidly constructed and put to work to cultivate what was previously a 
barren and unprofitable waste of sea-covered territory. 
While the greater part of the ground was taken by those who intended to improve 
and utilize it, some was secured by persons who invested merely for speculative pur- 
poses, or who aided by furnishing capital to prosecute the business. Indeed, consid- 
ering the small cost of the ground and the promise of quick and profitable returns, it 
is not strange that capital was attracted to this industry. 
* Extract from law of 1881 ; see laws appended. 
