OYSTER CULTURE IN ENGLAND. 355 



however, of rugged appearance, and less sightly than the 

 long oval-shaped smooth Blue Point. 



As the quality of the fish is not indicated by its 

 exterior, it is believed that this kind will become the cheap 

 and popular oyster of the future. 



A singular and most important feature of the trade has 

 been the immense natural spat of Portuguese in the Medway, 

 principally at Sharfleet, where the parent oysters were laid 

 some time ago. The Portuguese oysters are obtainable all 

 the year round, and have thus the advantage of ' direct ' 

 Americans. The close season does not apply to them ; 

 this is, indeed, in practice, a dead letter, for English oys- 

 ters represent a small proportion merely of the business 

 done, and are in very poor condition when their sale is 

 interdicted. There is prospect also of a large supply of 

 .French oysters coming to the southern coasts. 



Last spring about 25,000,000 were exported thence to 

 England, and the returns are likely to grow larger from 

 year to year. Anglo-French oysters sell from 50/- per 

 1,000, but Franco-Dutch i.e., those which have been 

 relaid in Holland command yo/- to So/-, and these oys- 

 ters practically have carried the trade during the whole 

 season, having been superior to the same variety when put 

 down in home waters on the Kent or Essex coasts. 



Among other places, Southend has become an impor- 

 tant ground. Billingsgate retains almost the monopoly of 

 the better class trade, but the minor markets concern 

 themselves chiefly with the sale o the cheaper sorts. 



At the Central Fish Market Dutch oysters imported 

 direct are made a speciality, and they are retailed at a 

 moderate profit. As a rule, however, the suburban fish- 

 monger neither vends an oyster by its true name nor at its 

 proper price. 



