260 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



eluded with Belgium, in which a special reservation had 

 been made in regard to oysters. (Ji) 



In an interesting letter from Mr. George C. Wittey, 

 Secretary of the Colchester Native Oyster Fishery Com- 

 pany, Limited, I am informed that " since the time of 

 Richard L, who granted the same (oystery fishery) to this 

 Corporation by Royal Charter, all the fish, whether floating 

 in the river, or shell fish found in it from the town to the sea, 

 situate about seven miles distance is their property ; but 

 is now held under lease from the Corporation by the 



* Colne Fishery Company,' who chiefly supply the London 

 market with oysters. The best being those of native 

 growth, but the bed of our river Colne and the creeks 

 running in from the sea seem so favourable to the develop- 

 ment of the oyster generally, that the brood is purchased 

 from various places, and placed on broken shells along the 

 banks and creeks of the shallow sea-water, until they 

 become fit for sale, often under the name (in London) of 

 ' Colchester Natives.' The maturing of oysters is divided 

 into a period of four years, during which the names they 

 are known by are, in the first year, ' brood? second year 



* half ware? third year 'ware? and fourth year oysters 

 full grown and ready for sale. Second to the Colne 

 Fishery Company is the Tollesbury and Mersea Company, 

 possessing numerous oyster beds in that locality. Lastly, 

 I may mention our o\vn company as next in rank, who 

 possess about three miles of beds in various reaches of the 

 creeks of the river, and whose productions, I may say, are 

 second to none, as testified by the best judges." 



As the information concerning Whitstable and its 

 celebrated oyster trade is too lengthy, and also of too much 



(h] "The Times," October, 1862. 



