180 Transactions of the 



Sixth — We fully carried out our promise to make a better display in 

 work and material than the year eighteen hundred and seventy-three. 



Seventh — The monuments were all of original design. 



Eighth — Our exhibition of sculpture of lambs, dove, rose wreath, 

 female bust, and statues, were of a class and style of work that would 

 compare favorably with the production of any artist. 



Ninth — The display of lettering and gravestone carving was equal 

 to any work done in the State. 



Tenth — The principal portion of our display was from California ma- 

 terial, and the different styles and designs in which it was wrought mani- 

 fest that California is as far ahead in her marble as she is in all her 

 other natural productions. 



All of which is respectfully submitted. 



AITKEN & LUCE. 



Sacramento, September 25th, 1874. 



To the honorable Board of Directors of the State Agricultural Society and 

 Committee on Gold Medals for eighteen hundred and seventy -four: 



Gentlemen: My entries under miscellaneous exhibits were made for 

 special gold medal. I base my claim upon such under the following 

 considerations: 



First — I claim to make the most mechanical, useful, and expensive 

 exhibit under the miscellaneous department which were my own (Cali- 

 fornia) invention, and nearly all constructed by my own hand. 



I therefore, gentlemen, most respectfully ask the award of special 

 gold medal upon my patent Oyster Propagator and Nursery, upon the 

 grounds of its great commercial importance to the Pacific Coast. Since 

 the early period of history the oyster has constituted a most important 

 luxury, and we, as a State, keenly feel the unfortunately remote natural 

 location of tne favorite bivalve. Undaunted by this, at great expense 

 thousands of barrels of young oysters are yearly imported to the coast; 

 these we transplant and receive most rapid growth, proving that in 

 fatty material the coast bays afford superior advantages; but in matter 

 of propagation the natural surroundings are such reproduction has here- 

 tofore been found impossible. By my invention 1 place my breeding 

 oysters within artificially prepared estuaries, mechanically constructed 

 against all possible escape of the young oysters, until they have located 

 or attached themselves upon shell, or other substances artificially pro- 

 vided for, which then can be removed to growing beds, in which the 

 coast bays afford unusual advantages. 



This is the only patent for the purpose in the United States, and for 

 it I claim a decided advantage over natural beds by guarding against the 

 escape of millions of young oysters, which are carried out at sea by the 

 outflowing tide, beyond shelly formation, necessary to their safety; con- 

 sequently they should reach market at prices equal to those of natural 

 localities, and absolutely save to the State the import of that important 

 demand. 



1 would likewise ask special gold medj.l awarded u*pon my patent 

 Charnel Vault Disinfecting, on the grounds of its being the most import- 



