OYSTER CULTURE IN FRANCE. 529 



from one pare to another, or dispersed in the channels, 

 generally blow during the winter, and considerably multiply 

 the daily cares which attach to the maintenance of the 

 ponds. Mud and sand are increased by the roughness of 

 the sea. 



At each tide, when practicable, the rearers must visit 

 their pares, and proceed with the cleaning, the necessity 

 for which perpetually recurs. Four thousand persons are 

 daily employed at this work. 



The oysters stay little more than two or three years at 

 Cancale, that period being enough for them to develop into 

 a saleable size. The rearers have no interest in keeping 

 them longer. 



In addition to the oyster merchants, properly so called, 

 who take advantage of the provisions of Article 338 of the 

 Decree of the 4th July, 1853, to obtain concessions by 

 means of a ground-rent levied by the administration of the 

 domains, many inscrits maritimes carry on the oyster indus- 

 try on their own account. 



Those least well off are contented to keep for one sea- 

 son the oysters that they have fished on the banks, and 

 those that their families pick up on the beach. 



Before the administration of marine had applied the 

 protective measures which are the safeguard of our oyster 

 beds, the fishery on foot became less and less productive. 

 Now it is practised by caravans composed of 500 to 1000 

 persons, both women and children, who find a sure means 

 of existence by it. 



I have still to say a word about the attempts under- 

 taken under the auspices of the administration to collect, 

 in spite of the state of the sea, the spat which every year 

 escapes from the oyster beds. 



