OYSTER CULTURE IN FRAMCE. 



597 



Some observations are now necessary. In the first 

 place, it is to be remarked that these figures are necessarily 

 below the actual fact. In obtaining them regard must be 

 had to the alleged practice of certain oyster cultivators of 

 concealing the actual amounts through fear of their patents 

 being raised. The number of oysters exported either from 

 Brittany or from other centres of oyster culture is consider- 

 ably higher than that stated by those interested. 



It must also be remarked that the spat is furnished not 

 merely by the natural oyster beds, but also by important 

 reserves which are owned by numerous oyster cultivators. 

 This explains how, in spite of the precarious state of the 

 natural beds, the yield of young oysters continues to be 

 abundant. 



The figures which I have the honour to submit to you 

 will further show the sensible increase in oyster production 

 in the basin of Auray. In 1876-77, the number of oysters 

 exported was only 7,260,000. In 1 880-81 it had reached 

 33,325,000. 



The oyster cultivators of this district have to contend 

 against a natural obstacle, the mud which abounds in the 

 rivers and creeks of Morbihan. Thanks to an ingenious 

 disposition of collecting tiles, this obstacle has been sur- 



