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where there are continuous currents in one direction or the 

 other. The ebbing tide brings currents from the shallow brack- 

 ish waters of Caillou Lake, or as it is commonly called, Sister 

 Lake. Another such situation is on the so-called " Grovernment " 

 reef at the outlet of Bayou St. Denis, Barataria Bay, where the 

 ebbing currents come from Bayou St. Denis which in turn re- 

 ceives its supply from many shallow bays that open into it. 

 And so on, we might name hundreds of areas which are most 

 favorably situated for oyster culture. 



It might be stated in passing that when oysters are trans- 

 planted before marketing, the condition of currents need not 

 form such an important factor on the transplanting or bedding 

 ground. It is, of course, well to have them, but in this case 

 actual growth is not sought, and the oysters are left on the 

 bedding ground but a comparatively short time. There are, 

 however, bottoms that are admirable for both oyster growing 

 and bedding, and so why bother with inferior locations ? 



Density, — Let us remember that conditions governing oyster 

 culture in Louisiana are different from those anywhere on the 

 Atlantic Coast. The soil is fine and generally in the form of mud, 

 more or less soft; the waters are shallow, containing a consider- 

 able amount of sediment; and the temperature is high in the 

 summer months. These last two facts combined, produce condi- 

 tions which prevent utilizing otherwise favorable bottoms. The 

 density recommended for best results on the Atlantic coast is 

 from 1.0190 to 1.0230, specific gravity. The density best suited 

 to the growth of the young oyster in Louisiana is from 1.0080 to 

 1.0150. In waters of higher density, the spat will, of course, 

 settle; and if it is early in the season, may attain considerable 

 size, but under the hot sun of our southern states and in the 

 shallow waters, the temperature rise^ to such an extent in the 

 denser waters, that the oyster is either killed or retarded in 

 growth. Where there is a current over the beds from deeper 

 waters, the temperature will not rise so much and consequently 

 the oyster will thrive better than if the water had no other cur- 

 rent except the rise and fall of tides. It is not advisable, how- 

 ever, to risk starting a bed in water of high density or saltiness. 

 1.019 is too salt, and although the young may grow as long as 

 the weather is cool, they cannot survive the heat which the high 



