OYSTER INVESTIGATIONS IN GEORGIA 99 



Restoration of depleted oyster heds. — In many localities, the nat- 

 ural beds contain nothing but dead shells, all live oysters having 

 been taken out. These beds can be easily restored by planting seed 

 or adult oysters. In this case the beds should be closed to the public 

 for a definite period of time and efficiently patrolled. Beds of this 

 type are found, for example, along tlie northwestern shores of the 

 Doboy Kiver, opposite I)ob()y Island, and in the creek between 

 Doboy and Connnodore Islands. 



The estaMishment of oyder heds in suitable locallt'us. — Tliere ai'e 

 numerous localities in Georgia coastal waters where oysters grow 

 scattered on the mud flats. Where the mud is not too soft, these 

 flats can be utilized for the establishment of new oyster beds by the 

 following method : During June and July when the oyster larvse are 

 free-swinnning in the water, spat may be collected on oak brush 

 stuck into the mud between tide marks or on shells in wire-bag 

 collectors placed on tidal flats between 1 foot below and 2 feet above 

 , low-water mark. Tlic brush gradually decays or is destroyed by 

 the shipworm and breaks to pieces, so that the oysters fall on the 

 mud forming a new bed. The process can be expedited by breaking 

 the twigs and scattering them over the grounds when the oysters are 

 sufficiently large. Spat collected on shells in wire bags must be 

 scattered on the flats or transplanted below low-water mark. 



The development of oyster culture. — The greatest progress of the 

 oyster industry in Georgia can be achieved, however, by the intro- 

 duction of improved methods of oyster culture, which consists in the 

 following: Setting aside sufficiently large areas suitable for cultiva- 

 tion of oysters; improving the bottoms, by dredging out the accu- 

 mulation of debris and grass and reinforcing them if necessary by 

 planting shells or gravel; establishing of spawning grounds; col- 

 lecting of seed oysters on spat collectors (wire bags, brush) ; trans- 

 planting seed oysters on suitable bottoms below low-water mark; and 

 ])i-otecting the beds from the attacks of drills and other enemies. 



As has been demonstrated by the experiments at Doboy Island, a 

 good set of oysters can ho obtained easily in many localities in the 

 coastal waters of Georgia by means of oak brush or W'ire-bag col- 

 lectors filled with shells. Seed oysters, upon reaching the size of a 

 half-dollar coin, can be transplanted below low-water mark on firm 

 and unshifting bottoms in the creeks, small rivers, and in the marshes 

 where they will grow and assume perfect form. If necessary, they 

 can be kept there for several years. Although, as our observations 

 of 1928 show, setting may occur in deep water, its intensity is much 

 less than in the tidal zone, and consequently there is little danger 

 that the transplanted seed oysters will become overcrowded with 

 new generations. As the oysters grow larger the extra space is 

 taken up so that it is often advisable to work the beds and remove 

 part of the crop to other grounds. The improvement in conditions 

 for those left on the bed will result in better growth and better 

 quality of the meats. It is believed that by an intelligent application 

 of oyster cultural methods to local conditions, the total output can 

 be considerably increased and the quality of the oysters greatly 

 improved. 



