lilt: (I I.I iv.\i i()\ OF ()Ysri-:i!s is ij>i isi.wa 



HY l>. K. C'AKV. 



The following report is designed to set forth briefly th<^ 

 l)rinL'ii)al facts relating to the subject of oyster culture in tlit- 

 I nited States, and to consider more in detail the problems that 

 must be met by those engaging in the oyster industry in thr 

 ■waters of the State of Louisiana. It is intended primarily ;is 

 a guide for those who are interested in tlie t)yster industry- and 

 who have luid mt praclica! cxiici'lciicc in the nn Ihods in genei'al 

 use. 'I'o aid such persons to a more thorough undei-standin^ 

 of the problems involved, the special chapters on the Anatomy 

 and Developm( nt have been introduced. 



In a few instances attention has been called to some of the 

 more •'intensive" methods which are in use in other oyster-pro- 

 ilucing regions; but whivli on account of the expense involved 

 are not to be reconunendcd inr use in tliis'section. 



AX ATOMY OF THE OYSTER. 



The general structure of an oyster may be roughly repre- 

 sented by comparing it to a check hook'. Tlie covers of the book 

 will represent the two shells of the oyst»n-. oi)en on three sides, 

 while the back of the book represents the hinge, or the area 

 where the two valves of the shell are fastened together l)y the 

 hinge ligament (Plate I, Fig. 1. b). 



The hinge ligament is an elastic structure ijiaced in such a 

 relation to the shells that it tends to throw their free ends apart. 

 To understand its manner of working, place a small piece of 

 rubber between the leaves of a book, near the back. Now. if 

 the free ends of the covers are closed, the rubber will be com- 

 j)ressed and will throw the covers apart as soon as the pressure 

 is removed. The hinge ligament tends, by its elasticity, to keep 

 the shell open at all times, and when the oysters are lyincr un- 

 disturbed on the bottom, or when tbe musele has been destroyed, 

 the ends of the shells are separated a little. 



