1096 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



we can conclude that one oyster came from every two 

 square meters of bed-surface ; and if an oyster-bank, the 

 length and breadth of which are known, is dredged over 

 in this manner in different directions, a foundation is 

 obtained from which to estimate the number of oysters 

 upon the bed with certainly as much accuracy, and with 

 far greater speed and ease, than a diver ; and when the 

 proportional productiveness of a bed thus examined is 

 ascertained, we can estimate the number of oysters which 

 can be taken from the bed without injury to its productive- 

 ness. 



Practical persons will object to these methods as being 

 too detailed, and yet not leading us to a sufficiently high 

 estimate of the number of oysters ; but they will be obliged 

 to admit that there is no better means of finding out, with 

 any degree of certainty, the number of oysters upon these 

 banks. A skilful oysterman, one who has been acquainted 

 with the beds for a number of years, will notice, without 

 the use of a measuring-line, whether the oysters lie upon 

 the banks in sufficient numbers for the prosperity of the 

 banks, or whether the beds have become impoverished. 

 He will reach this conclusion from the number of oysters 

 which he can catch with a certain speed of his vessel, and 

 during a certain definite time through which his dredge 

 drags over the bottom. 



Those authorities who have control of the inspections 

 of the oyster fisheries might, therefore, be able to avail 

 themselves of the services of skilful dredgers to find out 

 the condition of the banks before they decide, each season, 

 the particular places which can be fished, and the number 

 of oysters which can be taken from each. The inspectors 

 at Arcachon, after observations extending over many years 

 have arrived at a definite conclusion in regard to the 



