OYSTER CULTURE IN AMERICA. 74! 



. . . . "The living and dead shells of the adult 

 oysters furnish the best surface for the attachment of the 



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young, and for this reason the points where oyster beds are 

 already established are those where the young have the 

 most favourable surroundings and the best show for life, 

 and the beds thus tend to remain permanent and of sub- 

 stantially the same size and shape. 



. . . . " It is well known that shell-fish of all kinds 

 thrive best where the supply of lime is greatest. 



. . . . "The dead oyster shell is soon corroded, 

 and in a few years entirely dissolved by the sea water ; and 

 I think this fact is another reason why the young oysters 

 thrive best on a natural bed. 



" How far the supply of oysters is limited by the supply 

 of lime it is impossible to say ; but when we recollect how 

 important it is that the young oysters should soon find 

 solid bodies to fasten themselves to, and that they should 

 protect themselves by strong shells of their own as quickly 

 as possible, it will be seen that the danger of exterminating 

 a valuable bed by over-dredging would be much less if the 

 empty shells were replaced upon the beds." 



. . . . If ... a law were passed forbiddipg 

 the dumping of shells anywhere except upon designated 

 areas, where they would be useful, we believe that our 

 public beds could be reshelled without expense to the 

 State ; and as it is perfectly proper that the packers, who, 

 by the demand which they have created for oysters to 

 supply people outside our State, have caused the need for 

 legislation, should bear the expense of replenishing the 

 public beds, we recommend that a law be passed to forbid 

 the use of oyster shells in lime-kilns, or in the manufacture 

 of iron, or for road making, or wharf building, and that a 

 law be passed requiring the commander of each police boat 



