OYSTER CULTURE IN AMERICA. 815 



find profitable work on the bed. In the spring, about 

 75,000 bushels more were taken up and sent north, and as the 

 oysters were small, they amounted to probably 15,000,000 

 at least. Exclusive, then, of the fishing done during the 

 winter months, in one season it is estimated that 30,000,000 

 of oysters were removed from one bed alone. 



Nearly all the oystermen advocate a " close time," 

 either from April i or May i to October i ; many con- 

 sidered a prolongation until November i , and an entire rest 

 every other year, would be beneficial. 



With regard to transplanting the oyster and its trans- 

 portation, all experienced persons were of the opinion that 

 delicacy of handling, and freedom from jars, concussions, 

 and shocks of any kind, were desirable. Oysters when 

 under hatches have very frequently been killed by heavy 

 thunderstorms and firing of guns. Any concussion or 

 sudden shock will prove destructive, if the animals are in a 

 confined space. Oysters taken up during the summer are 

 much more susceptible to injury from this cause than those 

 obtained during the winter. 



Oysters are transplanted at any and all seasons, but 

 generally in the spring and autumn. Oysters obtained by 

 the use of the " tongs " are preferred to those dredged, and 

 generally those taken either before or after the spawning 

 season are most desirable. The dredged oysters are apt to 

 be broken about the bills, and will die on the planting 

 grounds sooner and in larger numbers than the " tonged " 

 ones. Those oysters planted about the Sounds are gener- 

 ally obtained from " tongers," but those sent to the north, 

 being in such large numbers, are usually dredged. The 

 size and age of the oysters to be transplanted depend on 

 whether they are for early consumption or not. If the 



