512 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



continuance of success, as the care and encouragement of 

 the State were necessary at first for preparing its path and 

 directing its first steps. 



In the course of this Report I shall have to bring 

 forward contradictory facts ; practically divergences in the 

 application of methods occur at every step. These result 

 from a variety of circumstances. Methods must not be 

 inflexible : they should be capable of modification, if worth 

 adopting at all, to suit different natural conditions. Those 

 conditions vary necessarily with the locality, the climate, 

 the nature of the soil, the character of the water, the direc- 

 tion and intensity of submarine currents, &c. 



Some points in this extensive practical study require 

 undoubtedly separate examination and study, but this 

 Report, the object of which is merely to state the actual 

 condition of ostriculture on our coast, is not the proper 

 place for their enunciation or discussion. Whilst making 

 from time to time certain special remarks, I shall, there- 

 fore, limit myself to reporting on my mission, in the order 

 in which I have complied with it, and to describing the 

 state of this industry at each place as I have found it. 



COURSEULLES-SUR-MER. 



In the vicinity of the natural banks of the Channel and 

 of the oyster bed of Dives, at the mouth of the river Seulle, 

 from which it takes its name, Courseulles is one of the 

 points on the coast of Normandy where the ostricultural 

 industry is practised with success and profit. 



The shell-fish brought from this station has now for a 

 long time enjoyed a well-earned reputation in our markets. 



Courseulles is not, however, a breeding ground. The 

 pare owners (parquers) who have established ponds, own, 

 at Saint Vaast-de-la-Hougue, preserves intended for the 



