THE OYSTER FISHERY OF CONNECTICUT. 
475 
pleted that at present no one depends wholly on them. The value of oysters from 
natural beds amounted in 1889 to only $31,305, while the yield of the cultivated beds 
brought $1,040,372, .or more than 33 times as much. Of the 73,850 bushels obtained 
from public beds in 1889, about 5,000 bushels were marketed for food ; the remainder 
were used for seed by the cultivators of this and other States. 
22. Effect of the State policy . — It will be observed from the foregoing that, had Con- 
necticut pursued the present policy of Maryland and Virginia, her oyster fishery in 
1889 would have supported about 60 men. Under the present system over 1,200 i)er- 
sons, exclusive of capitalists, are directly dependent on the oyster industry, while many 
more are supported by constructing steamers and dredges, making tubs, baskets, etc,, 
expressing oysters, and by the many other industries more or less dependent upon the 
prosperity of the oyster fishery. 
VI.— METHODS OF CULTIVATION, TRADE, FISHING, ETC. 
23. Obtaining ground . — Whoever desires to cultivate oysters in Connecticut must 
first obtain possession of a section of suitable ground. He may either buy this from 
some one in the business or secure it from the State Shellfish Commission at $1.10 
per acre. By the former method he will either be likely to obtain poor ground or to 
pay many times as much as an equal area purchased from the commission would cost. 
Shrewd operators bear in mind that although the choicest grounds are in the hands 
of individuals, yet there are many acres of worthless private holdings, while the State 
still has much worth cultivating. 
The best course is to serve an aiDpreuticeship until one becomes sufiiciently ac- 
quainted with the business to wisely select his own ground. Next best to this would 
be to employ an experienced and reliable cultivator to secure it. The ground should be 
as much together as possible for general convenience and to keep it free from starfish. 
24. Preparing the ground for a “set.” — After the ground has been obtained and 
the proper boundaries located, it is best to go over it with a steamer and dredge from 
it all extraneous substances generally classified as “ rubbish.” Those most extensively 
engaged in the business have steamers, some firms owii several, while a few parties 
have no apparatus, their work being done for a certain sum by those who own steam- 
ers or sailboats. One or two dredging steamers belonging in the State are kept for 
daily hire; their owners have no oyster grounds and seek employment from those who 
have. These steamers, with the crews, may be hired for from $20 to $30 per day.* 
If the ground is somewhat muddy some cultivators place gravel upon it at the 
rate of 100 to 200 tons to the acre. This system has produced excellent results. 
The first plants of oysters may be made upon a new bed in three ways: 
(1) Young “seed” oysters taken from the natural beds may be distributed over 
the ground, together with gravel, “jingles,” or other shells taken therewith. 
(2) If the area is distant from the spawning grounds it is often best to scatter 
adult oysters upon it, some time prior to July, the beginning of the spawning season, 
in order to secure a “set.” In such cases, about 25 to 50 bushels of oysters are spread 
over each acre. Oysters are not usually purchased for this purpose. If a cultivator 
* Iti the report of the Connecticut Bureau of Labor statistics for 1889 (p. 114) the statement is 
made that “ nine steamers oyster in the sound, hut are owned in New York.” 
