TESTACEA. .81 



After a long and vexatious controversy, and much expense incurred, 

 the lease was cancelled, and the fisheries are now let to the original 

 tenants, — the Newhaven fishermen, — at £30 annually. 



The Newhaven oyster fishery commences on the first of September, 

 and terminates on the last of April ; but, by special favour, it is now 

 allowed to be carried on until the 15th of May. 



Oysters are exported in very considerable quantities ; and the beds 

 are allowed too short time for recruiting the incessant ravages they are 

 exposed to. They should remain untouched during a period of at least 

 seven years. 



Every place, however, is not alike favourable for the growth and 

 multiplication of oysters, as may be inferred from repeated previous 

 observations. 



A good many years ago, the late Earl of Roseberry attempted to 

 form oyster beds on the shores adjacent to his seat, Barnbougle Castle, a 

 few miles west of Newhaven ; but the project was quite abortive. The 

 failure of a similar attempt, on the Yorkshire coast, is recorded in the 

 seventeenth century. De Foe affirms, in his Journey through Scotland, 

 which was published in 1723, that, at Hopetoun House, which is within 

 five or six miles of Barnbougle, the owner had, " under his great terrace, 

 a bed of oysters, from which his kitchen is supplied, all the year round, 

 in the greatest quantities." — P. 207. I do not understand that they are 

 now in any abundance. 



Some years ago, being informed of a peculiar brood of oysters, near 

 Chillingham Castle, belonging to the Earl of Tankerville, in the county 

 of Northumberland, I felt desirous of ascertaining the facts. They were 

 described as of remarltable size, and so highly valued that the bed was 

 constantly watched ; and, if some were collected, half-a-dozen would be 

 considered worthy the acceptance of any of the neighbouring families. 



Under these circumstances, I considered myself fortunate in obtain- 

 ing eighteen ! 



These oysters are certainly very large — much larger than those ob- 

 tained from the fisheries of the Forth, or any I had seen elsewhere. The 



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