OYSTER CULTURE IN FRANCE. 587 



Thus one of the new pares, that of Lahillon, four hec- 

 tares in extent, furnished in 1866 more than 5,000,000 of 

 oysters. 



Now when the operations were commenced in 1863 on 

 this spot, there was nothing but mud. 



After cleaning the ground 400,000 oysters were laid 

 down in 1865, and as I have just observed, the return the 

 following year exceeded 5,000,000. 



Such examples were well calculated to make impression 

 upon the coast population ; in consequence, applications 

 for concessions began at once to multiply, and, as I shall 

 presently show, continued to increase. 



Some years later the State perceiving that its example 

 had failed, conceded its model pares to the central society 

 of shipwrecked mariners ; but a certain extent of oyster 

 beds was reserved, and serves to supply with spat the sur- 

 rounding concessions. 



The beds so reserved occupy an area of 200 hectares ; 

 no fishing is permitted except at intervals of about three 

 years, nor unless a commission representing the fishermen 

 and the cultivators has expressed itself favourable to the 

 fishing. 



The Marine Administration takes great interest in this 

 reserve. Every year 240 metres cubes of small shells are 

 thrown on the surface of these pares, and form in this way 

 natural collectors. At the time of the last fishing (1879) 

 this reserve had furnished 25,000,000 of oysters, represent- 

 ing a value of about 250,000 francs. In the month of 

 April, 1 88 1, when I had the opportunity of visiting these 

 beds, they were covered with fine oysters, and appeared to 

 me to be in excellent condition. 



