OYSTERS AND METHODS OF OYSTER-CULTURE. 297 



conditions in such a manner as to bring about one or several of the 

 following results: 



1. An increase in the number of eggs successfully fertilized. 



2. An in(;rease in the surfaces available for fixation, and consequently 

 an increase in the number of spat which become fixed and pass through 

 the early stages of spat existence. 



3. The utilization and salvage of spat, which would otherwise fall 

 victims to the several vicissitudes of their careers — storms, frosts, 

 crowding, etc. 



4. A decrease in the liability to attacks from enemies. 



5. The utilization of otherwise neglected bottoms and food supplies. 

 Upon our coasts the objects set forth above, or some of them, have 



been best realized by the process of "planting." This consists in 

 placing firm bodies in the water for the purpose of catching the spat 

 or in spreading young oysters upon the bottom in places suitable for 

 their growth. Vast as are our oyster-fields, but a small portion of the 

 bottom available for the growth of this mollusk has been utilized by 

 nature. This has arisen from the fact that in many cases where the 

 other conditions are favorable the bottom is of such a character as to 

 l)revent the attachment of the young, though perfectly adapted to the 

 rapid growth of the adults. If then the spat be caught on planted 

 cultcb, or partially grown oysters be placed upon such bottoms, the 

 difticulty is overcome and nature has been assisted to the degree 

 necessary and all or some of the conditions mentioned above are more 

 or less completely fulfilled; the first by increasing the number of 

 adult oysters in any region, and by their closer aggregation ; the second, 

 by the process of preparing the ground and sowing the shells; the 

 third, by the use of seed from regions less favorable to its maturing; 

 the fourth, from the greater care with which a bed under private owner- 

 ship will be watched and guarded, and the fifth by the very act of 

 planting upon virgin or depleted bottom. 



Other and more complex plans of oyster-culture are employed in the 

 countries of Europe, but have not yet been adopted in the United 

 States. There are indications, however, that in certain portions of our 

 oyster belt it may be necessary to follow some method of x)ond culture, 

 not so much for the purpose of growing the oysters, but to fatten them 

 for market. Should the feasibility of this be demonstrated under the 

 conditions i)revailing in the United States, a vast increase could be 

 made to our oyster supply, as it is a well-known fact that certain large 

 areas are capable of raising oysters which they rarely fatten and for 

 wliich, therefore, no market can be found. 



By some modification of pond culture it may also be possible to 

 raise seed oysters in regions in which few or none are now produced, 

 thus adding another considerable item to the wealth giving powers of 

 our coasts. 



These several subjects are treated under their appropriate headings 

 in the following pages. 



