42 



At this time of the year we are subjected to unfavor- 

 able weather conditions at times, which, comi:)ined with the 

 limited period at our disposition, has compelled us to devote 

 most of our energy to the examination of the territory, and 

 we have therefore been obliged to leave several important points 

 untouched. Other questions, equally, if not more vitally con- 

 cerned in their influence on the extent and productiveness of 

 the beds, have been impossible to investigate ut this season of 

 the year. 



Probably the most important of. these is the study of the 

 conditions during spawning season, which probably takes place 

 during the summer and fall. It is at this most critical period 

 in their life history that external conditions exert the greatest 

 influence in limiting the productiveness of the beds. A sudden 

 change in the temperature or salinity of the water would, un- 

 doubtedly, cause great havoc among the young. Enemies are 

 also able to destroy countless numbers of the young forms be- 

 fore they become old and strong enough to withstand these 

 attacks. 



Situated as these islands are, but a short distance from the 

 mouth of a mighty river like the Mississippi, discharging im- 

 mense volumes of fresh water into the gulf, any change in the 

 direction of the wind affects the salinity of the water, and at 

 the same time the amount of food material carried in suspension. 

 The influence of these chances on the clams and scallops shouM 

 be studied before any definite conclusions can be drawn. 



It is impossible at this time to more than call attention to 

 the work which is being done elsewhere along these same lines. 

 Important experiments have been made with the soft clam 

 {Mya areiiaria) by Dr. Kellogg and other investigators, which 

 prove that it is possible to stock barren areas by artificial bed- 

 ding with productive results. Experiments of this nature in 

 this region would undoubtedly give beneficial results. 



In conclusion, it is strongly recommended that provisions be 

 made for the completion of the investigation of this region, espe- 

 cially during the breeding season. Tbe study would very prob- 

 ably show the areas of these forms to be much larger than at 

 present estimated, as well as being more productive. 



