36 



must first be cleaned and repaired and then be given a 

 fresh coating of coal-tar. These operations should be 

 done some time in advance of the spatting season to 

 allow of the tarred cases beino- well soaked before the 

 limed tiles are put in ; parkers have lost their harvest 

 through inattention to this simple precaution, the freshly- 

 tarred cases giving off such odour and noxious compounds 

 as either hindered spat attachment or killed the spat soon 

 after settlement. 



To secure good results it is essential that the collec- 

 tors be not placed in position any considerable length of 

 time prior to the general spatting of the adult oysters in 

 the parks in the vicinity ; if they be put down even a 

 fortnight too early a glairy film composed partly of mud 

 and partly of microscopic plant life (diatoms and other 

 algae) forms on the surfaces of the tiles. On this slimy 

 surface oyster larvae find no foothold ; they pass away 

 and are lost to the parker who has thus prematurely 

 immersed his collectors. The date of emission of spat 

 by the mother oysters is usually deduced with approxi- 

 mate accuracy from the colour and appearance of the 

 gills. Sample oysters are opened from time to time. 

 As soon as the gills take on a dark blue-black colouration 

 the parker knows that no time must be lost in putting 

 his collectors in place. With a continuance of fine warm 

 weather at this season spatting takes place very soon 

 after but should inclement weather supervene in the 

 interval, spatting may be retarded a fortnight or even 

 longer. 



As soon then as the signs of early spatting are 

 observed, all haste is made to transport the limed 

 collectors and the necessary number of ruches to the 

 park. Pinasses and fiats are loaded up and despatched 

 soon after high water on the first day that the tide 

 recedes sufficiently to permit of work being done at the 

 parks. With the advent of the motor boat, this transport 

 of tiles has been greatly facilitated and now if the parker 

 has no motor pinasse of his own he usually hires one to 



