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consolidated bottom to serve well the purposes of an 

 oyster culturist. The situation is ideal for the purpose, 

 bounded as it is on two sides by scattered patches of 

 adult oysters, with a bottom of sandy mud stiff enough 

 for collector tiles to be laid out in piles as in Holland 

 without the protection of expensive collector cases 

 (ruches) ; food supply in the form of diatoms is super- 

 abundant, the shallowness of the water, i to 2 feet at low 

 tide, admits of operations being carried on daily with the 

 greatest of ease, and proximity to the channel connecting 

 the lake with the sea ensures the maximum of those 

 conditions which make for health and rapidity of growth. 

 Should the experiment prove successful and a larger area 

 require to be devoted to culture, over 1,000 acres are 

 available on the flats between Karimanal and the main- 

 land, where conditions prevail little if at all inferior to 

 those characterising the Hats first mentioned. 



The creeks around Nizampatam near the embouchure 

 of the Kistna, and those near certain of the Godavari 

 outlets are also suggested as likely to be suitable but as I 

 have not yet had an opportunity of visiting these places, 

 I place Pulicat Lake in the forefront for the present as 

 the most adaptable and accessible locality for the 

 inauguration of simple cultural methods. It is however 

 absolutely essential to the carrying out of any scheme 

 that steps be taken at an early date to afford protection 

 to the natural oyster beds now existing in Pulicat Lake 

 and other backwaters where culture may eventually 

 become possible. It is infinitely easier to destroy a 

 natural bed than it is to re-create it. The present time 

 too is specially critical seeing that the middleman is 

 turning' attention in increasing decree to exploiting 

 the profits of our fisheries. A vigorous campaign of 

 one energetic dealer would 00 far in a single season 

 to occasion almost irreparable damage to the Pulicat 

 beds, so limited is their extent. That the Government 

 has the power to dispose of these beds at will and to 

 enforce regulations for their fishing is justified by the 

 accepted laws of all nations which give this matter 



