OYSTER CULTURE IN FRANCE. 519 



SAINT VAAST-DE-LA-HOUGUE. 



From time immemorial the fishermen of St. Vaast-de-la- 

 Hougue have added to their other employments the rearing 

 of oysters. But with the exception of a few new parc-owners, 

 mostly inscrits maritimes, who work pares conceded by the 

 State, they are satisfied with keeping for a very short time 

 the oysters, which, whether taken by the hand or with the 

 dredge, are the result of the fishing operations of the 

 greater part of the population of this district, who betake 

 themselves to it during the time that fishing is allowed. 



On the ist September the sailors come to the natural 

 banks to fish for oysters. Fishing on foot is only produc- 

 tive at spring tides. It is practised by women and chil- 

 dren, who pick up such oysters only as have been detached 

 by the violence of the waves from their native beds. 



The oyster concessions of St. Vaast-de-la-Hougue, 

 established on a muddy-clay soil, comprise depots or layings 

 and pares. The first, to the number of 48, occupy an area 

 of 46^- hectares, and extend along that part of the beach 

 called La Couleige : they are reserved for young oysters 

 which have to grow in order to be marketable. The 

 second, set apart for the preservation of eatable oysters, are 

 situate in La Toquaise, and are shielded for the most part 

 from the sea by the little Isle of Tatihou. They number 

 137 on an area of 39^- hectares. 



The depots or layings are only uncovered at spring 

 tides ; they are bordered by ridges of unmortared stones 

 from 15 to 25 centimetres high. The pares are enclosed 

 with walls also of unmortared stones from 75 centimetres 

 to one metre high, and from two to three metres thick. 

 At the approach of winter, and after the small oysters from 

 the depots have been transferred to the pares for shelter 



