PROGRESS IN BIOLOGICAL INQUIRIES, 1939 67 
is associated with the more favorable conditions at that time for the 
growth of marine plant life. 
Experiments in the improved marsh ponds and canals demon- 
strated that it was possible to utilize such areas for growing and 
maturing oysters because the attachment of spawn could be pre- 
vented by regulating the depth of water and velocity of currents. 
On adjacent outside beds the oysters had become “wrapped up” with 
spat by fall, while those in the ponds at the same level were free 
to continue their growth to a good marketable size. Even in ex- 
periments using the poorest type of seed from “coon” oyster beds, a 
growth in volume of over 300 percent was obtained the first year, 
and a long, fairly wide type of marketable oyster, for shucking 
purposes, developed. The seed oysters which were held on cement 
panels and in special trays showed an increase in volume of over 200 
percent from August through December and were rapidly forming 
round, scalloped shells of the most desirable type. By holding seed 
in these devices it was possible in the experimental canals to cultivate 
oysters at concentrations equivalent to over 2,000 bushels per acre, 
regardless of the nature of the bottom. In general, the experiments 
indicate that the expensive procedure of cultivating oysters in con- 
trollable tidal bays and canals is practical because of the more favor- 
able circumstances for protection and harvesting of the crop, and 
primarily because a high yield of better quality oysters may be se- 
cured. These experiments are being continued and developed on 
a small commercial scale in order to determine the maximum size 
and age attainable by oysters in these waters and the percentage of 
mortality to be expected according to age and environmental 
conditions. 
South Carolina.—The experimental oyster farm established by the 
Bureau near Beaufort, 8S. C., late in 1938 has now been in operation 
for a full year, and considerable information respecting the problems 
of utilizing various types of bottom for seed production has been 
accumulated by Robert O. Smith, in charge of this investigation. 
Distinctive conditions existing in the brackish waters of South 
Carolina and Georgia have long presented special problems to oyster 
growers. This section of the South Atlantic coast is unique in three 
major respects: (1) There is as much as 10 feet difference between 
high and low tide; (2), the great majority of natural oyster beds 
occur between tide lines; and (3), setting is so abundant that single 
seed oysters are difficult to obtain. 
Under these conditions it is imperative that the oyster grower be 
provided with means for determining the relative value of various 
types of bottom for seed production, growth, and fattening of oysters 
for market. The cost of leasing bottom from the State is relatively 
high, making it economically unsound to lease sections which will 
be unproductive. At the same time practical methods of obtaining 
good seed at low cost must be found, and, in the case of market 
oysters, means of fattening them early, despite high water tempera- 
ture, are desirable. 
Using colored labor provided by a W. P. A. project sponsored by 
Beaufort County, and with the active cooperation of the South 
Carolina Board of Fisheries, about 25 acres in a representative creek 
are being devoted to oyster-cultural problems on a small commercial 
scale. Three creeks have been reserved by the State Board of Fish- 
