OYSTERS AND METHODS OF OYSTER-CULTURE. 303 



It is not well to deposit the oysters very thickly. About 300 to 600 

 bushels per acre appears to be the usual amount iu most places. The 

 ground will, of course, support a larger number of yearling seed, but as 

 they grow larger there will be more or less crowding and the demand 

 for food will be greater. 



In certain places where oyster-planting has greatly increased within 

 recent years it is found that the oyster neither grows as rapidly nor fat- 

 tens as readily as formerly, and it is supposed by many that tlie quantity 

 of oysters has outgrown the ability of the region to supply them with food. 

 The matter has not yet been investigated and the factsin the case are 

 not definitely known, but the theory proposed is a plausible one to 

 account for the diflticulty with which the planter is beset in fitting his 

 stock for market. It is well known that when the seed is sowed too 

 closely upon a given bed the oysters grow and fatten more slowly than 

 upon less thickly populated ground, and only in waters exceptionally 

 rich in food can the quantity of seed jilanted exceed with safety the 

 number of bushels stated. When the seed is sowed too thickly there 

 is also a tendency to distortion from crowding. 



WORKINa THE BEDS. 



When seed oysters of good quality are used it is generally not 

 regarded as necessary to ''work the beds," although care should be 

 taken to prevent, if possible, the inroads of enemies. The various 

 methods of attempted protection from enemies have been discussed in 

 another connection. 



It is sometimes advantageous to dredge over the planted beds to 

 remove debris, seaweed, etc., which has drifted upon them, and which 

 of itself and by the collection of sand, etc., would smother the oysters 

 if allowed to remain. If the bottom is not perfectly fixed it may be 

 necessary to shift the oysters during their growth in order to prevent 

 "sanding," i. e., being covered with sand, etc., from the drifting bottom. 



While oysters grow most rapidly upon or near muddy bottom, they 

 are oiten in some respects obje(;tionable if placed upon the market 

 directly from such beds. Some planters, therefore, transplant them to 

 hard bottom for several months before sending them to market, it being 

 said tliat this improves their fiavor and appearance by causing the 

 muddy matter in the gills and mantle cavity, as well as in the Intestine, 

 to be gradually cleared out and disgorged. 



In parts of Long Island Sound many of the planters take up a por- 

 tion of their stock in spring and transplant it to such ground as may 

 be available in the bays and harbors. Such transplanted oysters fatten 

 and grow more raiudly than those left in the deeper water j the differ- 

 ence iu condition is manifest to even the inexi)erienced, and a higher 

 price is obtained and a more ready market found for the ''harbor 

 plants." The area available for tliis ])urpose, however, is insufficient to 

 permit of the transidanting of more than a very small proportion of 

 the "Sound stock." 



