568 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



great works, and earn from two to four francs for two 

 hours' work during spring-tides. It should be added that 

 the Administration of Marine has endeavoured to divide 

 the grounds under its jurisdiction in the most equitable 

 manner possible. 



LA TREMBLADE. 



La Tremblade, situated on the left bank of the Seudre, 

 is similar to Marennes, as regards the production, rearing, 

 and greening of oysters. The soil, the methods, the 

 culture are, with but trifling difference, identical. 



I should have abstained from any special mention of 

 the oyster industry at this station, if I had not collected 

 some additional observations, which I will briefly summarise. 



As at Marennes, there are ponds and claires. The 

 ponds are at the entrance of the river, and are only un- 

 covered at spring-tides. The spat is placed there to grow. 



To a great number of rearers who do not possess 

 ponds, the claires situated higher up serve at the same time 

 for the rearing, fattening, and greening of the oyster. 



La Tremblade rears easily the spat from Brittany, 

 which, at the beginning of March or April, when it 

 measures from 2 to 3 centimetres, is placed in the pare, 

 where it becomes fit for eating very rapidly. 



The greening takes place in a few days. A fortnight 

 is sufficient when the claire is " in the humour." But the 

 greatest care must be taken not to empty the claire, as it 

 would be a long time before it became green again. 



The north-west winds delay the greening, while those 

 from the south-west favour it. The latter being warmer 

 and damper, the oyster opens more frequently. 



