THiS ECONOMIC MOLLUSCA OF ACADIA. 79' 



ported to the banks of estuaries where they are exposed for a 

 time at low tides, and where the water is brackish. Both 

 these conditions seem to be necessary to secure their rapid 

 growth and fattening. The presence of some fresh water is a 

 necessary condition to success in Mussel culture. The French 

 method proceeds upon a different principle; it consists in 

 placing convenient supports for the Mussel " Spat," or free- 

 swimming young, to attach themselves to. For this purpose 

 palisades of coarse wicker-work are placed in the path of 

 currents which would otherwise sweep the young away. As 

 soon as they have attained a length of an inch (which is in a 

 little over a year, on an average) they are removed with hooks 

 and placed on the bottom. Later, they are removed to above 

 low-tide mark; again, higher up the beach, and again, still 

 higher, there being four removals in all. In a year after the 

 first removal they are ready for market. There are many of 

 these Mussel-farms m France, the principal ones being at the 

 Bays of Aiguillon and Chatellaillon, at Esuades, Charvon, 

 Marsilly, at St. Yaleny-sur-Somme, at Arcachon and other 

 places. The most perfect system is attained at the latter place. 



They are also cultivated in the Bay of Kiel, in North 

 Germany, where small trees, fixed upright below low-water 

 mark, have been recommended for catching the Spat. 



In England, there is comparatively little done in Mussel- 

 culture as yet. Attempts so far have had to struggle with 

 the drawbacks of imperfect legislation. It is agreed that the 

 culturist should have the same exclusive right to work his 

 area and dispose of his product as has the farmer, and there 

 should be as stringent laws to protect the one from trespass- 

 and theft as they are for the other. Such laws, however, 

 until very lately at least, were wanting. It is estimated that 

 an acre of Mussel-beds, properly cultivated, will yield one 

 hundred and eight tons, worth at least fifty-four pounds per 

 year. 



The time will certainly come for Acadia when the Mussel- 

 fishery will be a large industry. It is to be hoped that it will 

 be wisely regulated during its life, and not left to be doctored, 

 when near its end. 



