39 



It suffices if the collectors be carefully examined after 

 any spell of stormy weather. It is also essential to the 

 well-being of the young oysters that when they have 

 attained an approximate age of three months, the whole 

 of the tiles should be gone over most thoroughly and 

 all sea-growth other than oysters brushed off. The 

 proper observance of this precaution which all careful 

 cultivators practise, accelerates the growth of the young 

 oysters in a marvellous manner, Monsieur Michelet 

 informed me ; the best way to carry out the cleansing is 

 first to crush all the objectionable growth, which consists 

 largely of ascidians, by means of a pad of sacking and 

 then to remove the debris with the aid of a stiff brush. 

 The employment of the pad makes the rubbish more 

 readily detachable ; without it greater force has to be 

 used entailino- a danger ofdamaoqno- or brushing- off some 

 of the young oysters. 



Some parkers do not take the trouble to perform this 

 cleansing process and their oysters in consequence show 

 almost no increase in size for the remainder of the time 

 they remain on the tiles ; the extra trouble and expense 

 of the cleansing is amply repaid by the higher value the 

 product possesses when the time comes for detachment 

 from the collectors. 



(d) Detroquage, the separation of brood-oysters from 



the Collectors. 



Detroquage, the detachment of brood-oysters from 

 the tile collectors, is carried out as early as the weather 

 will permit in the year following the attachment of the 

 spat. In mild winters it may begin as early as January 

 or February, but it takes place more usually during 

 March and April when the young oysters are about 9 

 months old. Exceptionally it may have to be postponed 

 till May if the season has been very inclement and 

 development greatly retarded. If the tiles have been 



