588 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



The collectors used at Arcachon consist almost exclu- 

 sively of tiles previously limed and disposed in hives. 



About 10,000,000 of tiles are laid down every year; 

 the most favourable moment for the operation appears to 

 be from the izth to the i5th June. The hives remain in 

 position until the month of October ; some cultivators, 

 however, allow the collectors to remain all the winter in the 

 basin. This practice is attended with danger, as the spat 

 may be destroyed by the frosts. 



Anyhow the young oysters are placed either in the 

 claires or in the boxes. The claires of Arcachon have been 

 too often described to make it necessary for me to do so 

 now. 



I shall, however, call to recollection that their depth 

 varies according as they may be intended to receive the 

 spat when detached, or the tiles to which the young oysters 

 are still adhering. 



As a fact, a certain number of cultivators allow for 

 some time the spat to develop itself on the tiles themselves. 



The use of boxes is general at Arcachon. Still as these 

 engines are somewhat expensive, some cultivators have for 

 economical reasons given up their use. On the other hand, 

 some establishments possess a considerable number. In 

 April last, for instance, 4,000 of these might be seen in one 

 pare alone. 



The present occasion does not, Monsieur le Ministre, 

 seem fitting for entering into the details of working 

 arrangements. I desire solely to bring under your notice 

 the proof of the importance of oyster-culture in this part of 

 France. 



