The Conditions for Oyster Culture in the Waters of Vermilion 

 and Iberia Parishes, Louisiana. 



(Bv L. H. Cn.v 



IXTK()[)i;cTl(!X. 



The following ivporl is has.'d upon a slikly of the j)liysicai 

 aud biological conditions of the natural and plant<'d tiy.stci- beds 

 in A\'rmilion and Iberia Pai-ishes. 



In July and August the writer, in cojui)any with Prof, 

 B. 11. Guilbeau, director of the Gulf Biological Station, spent 

 a period of eight days in this region nuddng a rapid preliminary 

 survey of the field. At the time it was expected tliat the work 

 would be taken up at onee. but owing to the interference of 

 quarantine restrictions, all further investigations were postponed 

 until a later date. On October 17 the work was resumed and 

 carried forward as rapidly as the weather would permit, being 

 completed on December 2-1 



The objects of these investigations were, first, to aseertain 

 the location, the extent, and eojulition of th<' natural oyster 

 reefs in this locality; second, to .study eomparativdy the biologi- 

 cal condition of present pi-oducini;- ar^as; tliii-.l. to .study the 

 physical and biological charactei- of tli.^ bottom and water in 

 areas not now producing oysters, for comparison with the con- 

 dition prevailing in good oyster producing ni-eas in this and 

 other sections. 



In studying tlie i)hysi,-al and l)i..loi:ir;i] conditions of any 

 area.s, the following factors wei-e tak.-n info arcount: First, 

 the character of the bottom as airectin- the eonditioii (.f oysters; 

 second, the salinity of the water; third, the organi.sms that make 

 up the food of oysters, tlieir abundance and distribution; fourth, 

 the destructive agents, ineluding under this h.'ad freshets, ani- 

 mals that directly destroy the oysters. an<l those aninuds and 

 plants which, by their i)resenee. intei-f<Mv will, th.- normal fune- 

 tions of the oyster. 



It is a pleasure to a.-knuwl-du,. „iy iiid.-bt.'.ln.'ss to Prof. 



