76 



the unexpected occurs ; the PuHcat bar closed during the 

 year — this happens about once in five years it is said — 

 and consequently the oysters were, soon after reaching 

 maturity, troubled by alternate droughts, leading to undue 

 salinity and high water-temperature, and by floods of fresh 

 water causing sudden tails in salinity and inundations of 

 mud. Hence the oysters suffered heavily in numbers 

 and condition from unforeseen external causes. But 

 with the re-opening of the bar normal conditions returned, 

 an abundant spat-fall took place so that the collectors, 

 cultch, etc., were covered with brood, and there is now a 

 fine crop of young oysters which should mature in July 

 1914 ; the older oysters recovered also and were put on 

 the market about the close of the year under report. 

 This temporary set-back in no way aflects the results of 

 the experiment as a matter of successful cultivation ; 

 conception, method, and results were excellent, but the 

 locality was subjected to unforeseen adversities ab 

 extra. The experiments will hereafter be conducted 

 both at Pulicat, Tuticorin, and probably elsewhere, in 

 the light of the experience now gained. Pulicat was 

 originally selected as fairly handy to Madras, but 

 Mr. Hornell has repeatedly pointed out that it is not an 

 ideal situation compared with other localities both on the 

 east and west coast. 



Mr. Hornell wrote during the year an informing 

 pamphlet on oysters as food ; this has recently been 

 issued to the public. 



16. Piscicidtiire — Fresh-ivatcr. — This was continued 

 by Mr. H, C. Wilson as Piscicultural Expert who 

 completed his first term of service with Gov^ernment 

 during the year, and has been re-appointed to the post 

 whicli has now been made permanent. 



As in previous years the Sunkesula fish farm was 

 the piece de resistance ; a long step was taken towards 

 the object of its institution, by the stocking of 41 miles 

 of the Kurnool canal with carp, and Mr. Wilson reports 

 that the fish rentals have nearly doubled. The murrel 

 farm was brought to a stage when sale became not only 

 advisable but necessary, and Government sanctioned 

 the building of a special market stall in Kurnool where 

 live fish will be sold ; being air-breathers murrel travel 

 well for at least 24 hours and can therefore be despatched 

 to out-stations. The character and work of the farm 



