582 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



suggestions worth ventilation. I will not dwell on this fur- 

 ther. But I am unwilling to close without speaking of the 

 fruitful idea which the Department of Marine, which is 

 always aiding progress, has this year realised. It relates to 

 the conversion of salt-marshes into rearing daires. If the 

 efforts, Monsieur le Ministre, which your Administration 

 has so happily undertaken at Croisic have an ultimately 

 favourable issue and the success of the first season makes 

 me sanguine a new and brilliant future is in store for 

 ostriculture. 



The conversion of salt-marshes into oyster establish- 

 ments will finally insure large outlets for that overflowing 

 excess of production which every year is a cause of em- 

 barrassment to the oyster cultivators of Arcachon and 

 Brittany. 



This will be one benefit, in addition to the many 

 which our people in the West will owe to the Marine, 

 which has already done so much for them ; and France, 

 generally, will be the gainer by a movement which will, 

 through a new process of industry, restore to the deserted 

 salt-marshes their former wealth and prosperity. 



Permit me, M. le Ministre, before closing this report, 

 to present my grateful thanks to the Commissaires and 

 Agents of the Marine with whom I have been in commu- 

 nication. I owe them this public acknowledgment, having 

 always found in them the most perfect readiness to facili- 

 tate my labours, combined with that courtesy for which the 

 Marine has always been distinguished. 



Accept, Monsieur le Ministre, &c. 



< 



BOUCHON-BRANDELY, 

 Secretary of the College of France. 



