OYSTERS AND METHODS OF OYSTER-CULTURE. 301 



SEED. 



After tlie ground Las been thorouglily prepared according to its 

 requirements, the next consideration is the actual planting of the 

 oysters. Planters follow one of two methods, as their interests and 

 experience may dictate; they either plant seed oysters and raise them 

 to an adult or marketable size, or they use cultch to catch the spat, 

 which may be either sold as seed or retained until it has grown. The 

 former method is perhaps the simpler and more uniformly successful in 

 most localities, and it will be, therefore, first discussed. 



Seed oysters are young or immature oysters suitable for planting. 

 They vary in size from minute "blisters" up to well-grown oysters, 

 which will be ready for market in six mouths after they have been 

 bedded. In most cases they run in size between 1 and 1^ inches, or 

 from about the size of a silver quarter up to the size of a silver dollar. 



The seed is obtained either from planters who make a specialty of 

 raising it, or from the natural reefs, or from various places along shore 

 where there may be an abundant set of spat. In certain localities 

 gravel beaches often show a strong set in the area between tides, where 

 it may be collected at low water, or beyond low- water mark, where it 

 may be dredged or tonged from boats. In some parts of Long Island 

 Sound there is an extensive fishery for seed oysters in localities such 

 as described. 



Some planters collect seed for themselves, but most of them i^refer to 

 buy from those who make a specialty of that branch of the industry. 

 The i)Bice varies in different localities and with the character and size of 

 seed, from 10 cents to $1 per bushel. The larger growth of seed brings 

 a better price than the smaller, as it takes a shorter time to bring it to 

 maturity and it is less susceptible to the attacks of enemies. The care 

 with which the seed has been sorted is also a prime factor in the cost. 

 Seed, just as it comes from the beds, contains much besides oysters; 

 sometimes as much as 75 per cent consisting of old shells, sponge, and 

 other rubbish. Though such material may be obtained at a low price, 

 it is not generally regarded as economical, as a larger quantity must 

 be planted than when good seed is used, the bed is littered with unde- 

 sirable rubbish of all kinds, and is liable to become stocked with 

 enemies which will cause trouble in the future. The unculled seed is 

 liable also to grow into rough oysters, crowded into bunches and of 

 undesirable shapes, which bring a smaller price when put upon the 

 market. 



When culled stock is selected — that is, seed consisting of separate 

 individuals of good shape and uniform size — it is said to generally give 

 satisfactory results. It is free from rubbish and enemies, and, being 

 vigorous, it is able to at once avail itself of such advantages as the 

 beds possess and its growth is correspondingly rapid. The oysters 

 being separate from the beginning, when they reach maturity they are 

 shapely and in good condition. 



