1174 OYSTERS, AND ALL Al'.OUT THEM. 



proper time in situations favourable for catching spat. 

 They are kept about three inches above the mud by means 

 of pegs placed at intervals, to which the wire is attached, 

 and they appeared to succeed admirably, as when a long 

 string, or chaplet as it is called at Arcachon, was lifted, 

 every shell was covered with young oysters. 



CULCH (SOMETIMES SPELT "CULTCH") 



Is the name which is given to the d6bris of shells, stones, 

 &c., which is found at the bottom of the sea, on or near 

 oyster beds. It has been the practice from time imme- 

 morial to supplement the natural supply by throwing 

 down deposits of this sort on oyster grounds. Oyster and 

 cockle-shells make the best material for this purpose ; in 

 default of this, stones and pebbles may be used, the great 

 point being that the culch, whatever it is composed of, 

 should be clean, and for this purpose the shorter the time 

 it is laid down before the spat falls the better. Cultch- 

 boards are two pieces of wood, generally from the head of 

 a cask, which are used by dredgermen for taking up and 

 throwing overboard the old shells, debris, &c. 



The collectors are left with the young oysters upon 

 them until the latter have attained the size of sixpence, 

 when they are removed and placed for protection in boxes 

 called "ambulances." These cases are generally wooden 

 frameworks, with wire or perforated zinc covers and 

 bottoms, of which the meshes must be small enough to 

 protect the young oysters from the depredations of their 

 enemies. 



From 2000 to 5000 oysters are placed in each 

 ambulance, which varies in size according to the fancy of 

 the grower. When filled, they should be placed in the 

 water at varying depths, but always supported a few inches 



