1156 OYSTERS, AND ALL AHOUT THEM. 



few inches remain ; the men will then work the harrows, 

 allowing the inlet and outlet sluices to remain open ; the 

 running water will take away a good deal of the weed, 

 slub, &c., and the rest can be easily removed by working a 

 brush-harrow in the same manner. 



The supply canal should be of sufficient depth to always 

 retain water, the bottom of the ponds should be about the 

 same level as low- water mark (neap-tide). 



SUMMER LAYINGS. 



All brood, ware, &c., that are not going to be used for 

 breeding, should be taken out of the ponds and placed on 

 the summer layings before the end of May ; the bed must 

 not be subject to land drainage a good plan to prevent 

 this is to have a barrier across the stream, which will pre- 

 vent the tide and river outflow, after the last quarter's ebb, 

 going over the layings, as it will be then diverted into two 

 side canals, the banks of which are the same height as the 

 barrier. 



A former writer has given eight men per acre as the 

 number required to work an oyster-farm, but an estimate of 

 this sort depends too much upon varying circumstances to 

 be anything more than approximate. 



The following are some of the conditions affecting this 

 number : 



1 . The quantity of oysters laid down to fatten. 



2. The fertility of the year in spat. 



3. The cleanliness of the grounds. 



4. The market demand. 



5. Necessity of removal to winter quarters. 



The breeding-pond should be left dry all the winter, 

 and water not admitted until the commencement of the 

 breeding season. The breeding oysters should be placed in 



