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quantities from Auray, would be open to favourable 

 offers which Arcachon with its super-abundant spat falls 

 is particularly well fitted to make. As an unprejudiced 

 outsider I should certainly advise the Arcachon parkers 

 to obtain complete liberty of trade, and at the same time 

 to take steps to limit the annual production both in the 

 interests of higher prices and to insure improvement in 

 the health and the rate of growth of the stock reared. 



Lack of co-operation and organization are defects 

 largely consequent upon that chief merit of the Arcachon 

 system of oyster culture — the multiplicity of small hold- 

 ings. With over 2,000 concessionaires concerned, the 

 majority plain fishermen and sailors, it is most difficult to 

 secure co-ordination of effort. Several times, in 1886, 

 1890, 1892, and in 1904, Associations have been formed 

 to forward by co-operation and combined organization 

 the well-being of the local oyster industry. Time after 

 time these Associations have lapsed through inanition 

 or disagreement and no combination now exists among- 

 producers for mutual benefit. A certain amount of good 

 has undoubtedly resulted from the various efforts which 

 have been made, but the failures have been so many that 

 Arcachon parkers are now inclined to look askance at 

 any new proposition to found another mutual society to 

 promote the common welfare. This is greatly to be 

 deplored, for such a society can work good in many 

 directions. It is the medium through which excessive 

 over-production may be combated ; if directed aright, it 

 should be able to do much to increase the consumption 

 of its members' products ; depot agents to push these 

 goods might be appointed in all great centres of popu- 

 lation in France, Belgium, England and Switzerland 

 (German tariffs are an effective barrier to entry into that 

 country). Incessant agitation should be kept up to 

 obtain better transport facilities ; no peace should be 

 given the local Railway Company till it consents to a 

 substantial lowering of rates, and to this end the Asso- 

 ciation would bring the whole weight of its influence 

 to bear upon Government. In passing I may mention 

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