376 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



Without the bar, and in the boundaries of Poole, is an 

 extensive bed of oysters, from which there are several 

 sloops loaded every year, and carried to creeks in the 

 mouth of the river Thames, where they are laid to fatten, 

 to supply the London markets ; and in catching of which 

 upwards of forty sloops and boats are employed for two 

 months every spring, which season is the fishermen's 

 harvest ; during which time they receive between 6000 

 and ^"7000. 



The last day's catching is, by a prescriptive regulation, 

 thrown into the channel within the harbour, where they 

 fatten, and supply the town and country during the winter 

 with excellent oysters ; and thus was formed what is now 

 termed the outer channel bed, and at present the only 

 productive one ; and though numbers are still taken, it is 

 apprehended that this oyster bed will dwindle and will 

 shortly be exhausted, for the wholesome regulations for 

 restraining the take, according to the state of the bed, and 

 which were enforced under the ancient Admiralty juris- 

 diction, have since its abolition unfortunately been 

 disregarded. The Poole oysters are held in high estima- 

 tion, and rank next to those of Essex and Kent. () 



Some attempts have been made to resuscitate the 

 culture of oysters in this harbour, but, with the exception 

 of the present Poole Oyster Fishery Company, the 

 attempts have resulted in a loss to the originators. 



The Rt. Hon. G. C. Bentinck, M.P., of Brownsea Island, 

 in the year 1875, made application to the Board of Trade 

 for a grant of the ground in front of the castle, and in 

 South Deep, so that their beds might be preserved from 

 complete destruction, but the fishermen being strongly 



(b) Hutchins' " History of Dorset." 



