during the months of April, May, June, and to about the middle of
July, depending upon the supply to be had. During the season of 1899 a
small steam smack was chartered for collecting the lobsters, starting
from Gloucester, where the hatching of Maine lobster eggs is now
carried on, and running to Eastport, returning over the same route.
The Fish Commission schooner _Grampus_ was also used in this work.
The lobsters are purchased from fishermen, who receive the market
price for ordinary lobsters, and as they are not allowed to sell
these lobsters legally for consumption the sale to the Commission
materially increases their financial returns.

In 1883 a radical advance along the line of artificial propagation
was made, so far as the legislature was concerned, when the act
incorporating the Samoset Island Association, of Boothbay, was passed.
Section 4 of the charter reads as follows:


In order to secure a sufficient and regular supply of lobsters for
domestic consumption on any land or islands under the control of
said corporation, it may increase the number of lobsters within
said limits by artificial propagation, or other appropriate acts
and methods, under the direction of the fishery commission, and
shall not be interfered with by other parties, but be protected
therein, as said fishery commission may determine, and shall have
the right, by its agents and tenants, to take and catch lobsters
within 300 yards of the low-water line of the islands and lands
owned or leased by said corporation, during each and every month,
for domestic use.