1234 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



that spat fell plentifully there was occasionally rainy weather, 

 besides " heat and tranquillity." 



Care should be taken that any land drainage should 

 be led clear of the pits and ponds where oysters are laid 

 for protection, or preparatory to being taken to the market* 



ICE, FROST, &c. 



Ice coming down rivers is frequently left aground by 

 the ebb tide, and takes up a berth on the foreshore. As 

 the volume of ice under the water is much greater than that 

 above, it often grounds below low-water mark, and if any 

 unfortunate oysters happen to be beneath the small floe, it 

 will freeze them on to itself, and with the incoming tide, 

 " walk off" with the oysters attached. When the ice melts, 

 it drops the oysters again, perhaps into water much deeper 

 than they have been accustomed to. In their weakened 

 state they will then succumb, and thus in severe frosts many 

 beds are robbed and their contents killed. 



Ice also prevents dredging. During a severe and 

 continuous frost the boats cannot work, and the five-fingers 

 and other enemies have the field to themselves. Some 

 thirty years ago, when a severe frost set in, the river Roach 

 could not be worked, as the ice was over an inch thick 

 on the surface. Thousands of five-fingers then made their 

 appearance, and killed a great quantity of brood. 



The effects of the cold in February, 1879, were most 

 disastrous. The loss on the Swale estuary alone was esti- 

 mated at 20,000. French and Irish (seconds) that were 

 laid down all died. Though up to February 8th natives 

 were not touched, merchants reduced their price 75 per 

 cent, to induce purchasers ! The young brood appeared 

 hardier than the parent oysters. This same winter was 



