980 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



of supply for all the private beds on both sides of the 

 Thames, and the same close dredging by hundreds of 

 boats has been going on in the summer-time for generations 

 back, and yet, with fluctuations, a supply of brood is always 

 to be found. 



The Commissioners found it to be the universal opinion 

 of the fishermen on all these parts of the coast that, if the 

 Convention Act were strictly enforced on these public 

 grounds, a close time adhered to; and a limitation enforced 

 as to the size of the oysters, it would be fatal to the general 

 prosperity of the dredgermen and to the interest of the 

 private companies. 



The fishermen assert- 



(i.) That if the brood were left on the open grounds* 

 a very small portion of it would come to maturity or reach 

 the market as large oysters. Oysters, like all other ani- 

 mals, have their enemies. Of these especial mention has 

 already been made of star-fish, called five-fingers by the 

 fishermen. It is necessary, therefore, to work the ground 

 in order to destroy these formidable oyster-consumers. 



(2.) That oysters which have reached 2^ inches in 

 diameter, on the open grounds, never are so delicate in 

 flavour as those raised from brood on the private grounds, 

 and that, therefore, if the taking of such brood were pre- 

 vented, the markets would be supplied with an inferior 

 article. 



(3.) That on the private grounds great care is taken 

 of the brood there secured, so that one good spatting 

 season will supply the private ground with sufficient brood to 

 keep up a constant supply of large oysters for four or five 

 years ; thus the supply of natives is husbanded, and bad 

 breeding seasons are compensated. 



