37 
Commission has, however, at least one case on its books of 
land re-classified as natural bottom by court action, the 
lessees of which are willing to surrender their rights to the 
ground so re-classified, provided that the rentals theretofore 
paid on such ground may be credited to them against rentals 
thereafter accrued on other lands still held by them as lessees. 
This case, and possibly some others, would be covered by 
granting to the Shell Fish Commission the power to accept 
surrender of leased lands and credit rentals on such lands 
theretofore paid against rentals then due or thereafter to be- 
come due on other land. 
The Commission would recommend further that the law 
with regard to the neutral zone be so modified as either to 
exclude both the natural-rock oystermen and the lessees from 
working thereon or so as to make it permissible for either to 
work thereon. In this latter case the lessee who attempted 
to stock land beyond his own boundary limits would do so 
at his own risk and yet would not be hable for appropriation 
of the public territory nor under necessity of securing an addi- 
tional license if in planting or working his territory he happened 
to get a few feet over his line. 
If the present system is to be continued, the Commission 
believes that the expense to the State may be very materially 
reduced by placing in the hands of the Commission the first 
examination of ground applied for. It would recommend that 
on the receipt of an application, accompanied by the proper 
application fee, the Commission should make an examination 
and survey of the bottom in question at the expense of the 
applicant. If the bottom is found to be natural bar the ap- 
plicant should be so-informed and given an opportunity for 
appeal to the local court. If the bottom is found by the Com- 
mission to be barren, the fact of the application and the find- 
ing of the Commission should be advertised as at present, 
with opportunity for protest and court appeal. It is believed 
that this will very materially decrease the expense cf the pro- 
ceeding, particularly if the Commission adopts the plan of fix- 
ing dates in advance for visits to specific territory. 
The Commission believes that the State should undertake 
experimental work in oyster culture, in the production and 
