760 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



bed, and it must be a very slow process indeed ; how slow, 

 it is very difficult to say, as we have very little information 

 which will help us to decide, although we have facts to 

 show that a century may not be long enough. 



. The adoption by the State of a plan to 

 close certain districts long enough for the beds to recover 

 would, undoubtedly, delay the work of extermination, but 

 it would also cause an immediate decrease in the supply. 



. . . . We believe that the districting plan is 

 neither a real remedy nor the best method for arresting the 

 destruction. It is the best which can be put into force 

 without delay, but while recommending it, we feel that it 

 is our duty to call attention to the fact that there is a still 

 better method, although it is one which would require 

 considerable time, and the expenditure of large sums of 

 money. 



Under natural conditions each bed is able to yield a 

 certain number of oysters each year, and whenever this 

 number is exceeded the bed suffers, and if the practice is 

 continued it must be destroyed. It makes no difference 

 whether the oysters are taken in one month or in twelve, or 

 in one year or in five. The ultimate effect upon the bed is 

 the same in all cases. 



In the absence of measures for artificially increasing 

 the productiveness of the oyster grounds, or even when 

 such measures are employed, the only way to effectually 

 protect a bed is to examine it each year, and to learn how 

 many oysters it can furnish without injury, and to take such 

 steps as may be necessary for preventing each bed from 

 being drawn upon in excess of its capacity. 



When the natural beds are small and few in number, 

 it is easy to do this, and the plan has been employed in 

 some parts of our own country, and also in many parts of 



