608 OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



Besides the interest which this industry presents in 

 itself, it is not to be forgotten that the oyster cultivation 

 occupies each year a great number of persons, women and 

 children, who, but for it, would be without employment. 



To sum up, I think, M. le Ministre, it would be desir- 

 able to see the Government take the following steps : 



1 . Place at the disposal of the coastguard a cer- 

 tain number of steam-sloops, which are the only craft 

 fit for pursuing with success the poachers on our 

 natural beds. 



2. Regulate the dredging of these beds, so that 

 no bed should be dredged except once in three years. 



3. Recommend to the competent authorities in- 

 creased severity in the repression of robberies com- 

 mitted at the expense of the cultivators. 



4. Lower the rents exacted from the concession- 

 naires of pares in the Brittany district, in such a way 

 that the amount of this tax shall not exceed that which 

 is demanded from cultivators in the basin of Arcachon. 



As regards the recommendations to be made to the 

 cultivators, they will naturally find their place in the course 

 which you have thought it desirable to institute. 



The persons who are engaged in this industry have it, 

 moreover, in their power to do much for themselves. With 

 this consideration, I would suggest the formation of com- 

 panies for oyster cultivation. 



The cultivators of Auray have entertained the idea of 

 such co-operation. The re-union which took the title of 

 company, for the cultivation of oysters in the basin of 

 Auray, has already afforded excellent results. 



