33 



because after they are once started by the preparation of the bot- 

 tom and the introduction of seed and aduh oysters, they are left 

 alone except for the removal of the crop and the addition of clean 

 shells to catch spat. 



The Gulf near the mouth of the Calcasieu River presents a 

 greafvariety in its bottom. At places this is extremely soft and 

 muddy, in others it is composed of sticky clay and in still others 

 of a mixture of hard sand and mud. Some places are only covered 

 by a few inches of mud under which is a hard substratum. Many 

 such pieces of bottom in 40 or more feet of water are of this com- 

 position which together with other places not so composed might 

 be utilized for the establishment of deep water beds. 



Besides the presence of suitable bottom two other conditions of 

 prime importance are fulfilled. The water in the Gulf near the 

 mouth of the river is not sea water but "oyster water." In the 

 pass during the summer months the maximum salinity is ex- 

 cellent for the growth of oysters. Unfortunately it fluctuates with 

 every rain and in the spring at the time of high water the pass may 

 become entirely fresh at all but its greatest depth. The Gulf on 

 the other hand at the proper distance from shore and at the proper 

 depth would always be of the proper salinity and there would be 

 no need to fear a total loss of investment by freshets. 



The other condition which is well fulfilled is the presence of 

 abundant food. Means for studying the food conditions at 30 to 

 40 feet depth were not available, but if the condition of the water 

 at other depths, and on the surface be a criterion, there is present 

 an abundant supply of food. Among the diatoms which have been 

 shown to have the greatest food value in other localities is Eu- 

 podisais radiatiis, and this form which is only one of a number 

 of food form.s occurring in the Gulf, is present in such abundance 

 that at times almost pure colonies containing nothing else may be 

 collected by means of the tow-net. 



Another fact to be taken into consideration is the absence of 

 star fish and the scarcity of conchs. These two enemies which 

 in the localities where they occur often cause a great loss of 

 wealth need not be reckoned with in the establishment of deep 

 water beds near the mouth of the Calcasieu River. 



Certain accessory conditions fulfilled in Calcasieu Pass and in 

 St. John's Bayou, would be of the greatest service to deep water 

 oyster growers. The pass in addition to being an excellent source 

 of seed would together with certain places in St. John's Bayou 

 be an excellent fattening ground on which the oysters could be 



