I I 86 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



But when we come to put our theory into practice, we 

 begin to find how many local circumstances there are, 

 apparently trifling in themselves, but which really exert a 

 powerful influence on our calculations ; and it is only by 

 many years of watchful observation that any one can acquire 

 sufficient experience to be able to understand, and to cope 

 with the numerous difficulties which will beset the path of 

 an oyster grower. If, however, we were asked to sum up 

 the principles of oyster culture in as few words as possible, 

 we should say Keep your culch clean, keep down the 

 vermin, separate from the collectors as soon as possible, 

 protect from frost during the winter, keep the oysters quiet 

 during the spatting season, and pray for calm and warm 

 summers ! (d) 



As an appropriate companion to the foregoing abridg- 

 ment, I hereby give, as a foundation for all oyster culture, 

 the most important rules for the preservation and improve- 

 ment of natural oyster-banks. 



An oyster-bank will give permanently the greatest 

 profit if it possesses such a stock of full-grown oysters as 

 will be sufficient to maintain the productiveness of the 

 bank in accordance with its bioconotic conditions. 



Whenever the natural conditions will admit of it, the 

 yielding capacity of an oyster-bed may be increased by 

 improving and enlarging the ground for the reception of 

 the young oysters. 



The natural banks should be improved by removing 

 the mud and sea-weeds with dredges and properly con- 

 structed harrows, and by scattering the shells of oysters 

 and other molluscs over the bottom. When circumstances 

 will permit, all animals which are taken in the dredge, and 



(d) Anson and Willett's " Oyster Culture," pp. 82-94. 



