870 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



Holland 21,800,000 



Italy 20,000,000 



Germany 4,000,000 



Belgium 2,500,000 



Spain ... 1,000,000 



Portugal 800,000 



Norway 250,000 



Russia 250,000 



Denmark 200,000 



Givingatotal supply for the whole continentof 2,331,200,000 

 annually. 



Most of these countries consume their own products, 

 but at least one-half of the Dutch oysters come to England, 

 while America exports millions of oysters yearly to our 

 shores. 



The main difference between the oyster industry of 

 America and that of Europe lies in the fact that in Europe 

 the natives have long since been practically destroyed, 

 perhaps not more than 6 or 7 per cent, of the oysters of 

 Europe passing from the native beds directly into the hands 

 of the consumer. 



It is believed that 60 to 70 per cent, are reared from 

 the spat in artificial pares, the remainder having been laid 

 down for a time, to increase in size and flavour, in shoal 

 water along the coast. 



In the United States, on the other hand, from 30 to 

 40 per cent, are carried from the native beds directly to 

 market. 



As the Oyster Statistics of America will occupy a large 

 portion of this chapter, I deem it best not to interlard 

 statistical fragments concerning her with those of Europe 

 (unless where strictly necessary), but to confine myself first 

 to European countries, beginning with those of our own, 



