APPENDIX B XLV 



that, of all the oysters consumed in Canada less than one-third is sup- 

 plied from native sources. 



'' There is no sufhcient reason why the demand for oysters Ihrnugli- 

 out the Dominion should not be supplied by our own people. The inland 

 markets are easily accessible, and the domestic consumption would, no 

 doubt, be increased if the article was produced and supplied with our 

 o"WTi resources, at a lessened cost. The area of oyster grounds on the 

 Canadian coasts isi very extensive, and is situated in localities admirably 

 adapted for the growth and nutrition of oysters. This mollusk has 

 been found from Bay des Chaleurs to Bay Verte, in the following 

 places, viz. : Between Caraquet Banks, at Caraquet, St. Simon, Shippe- 

 gan Harbour and Gully, Talnisintac, Burnt Church, Bay du Vin, and 

 many other places in Miramichi Bay; Koucliihouguac, Kichibucto, 

 Buctouche, Cocagne, Shediac and Bay Verte. In Nova Scotia, the 

 oyster is found at Eiver Philip, Pugwash, Tatamagouche, Eiver John, 

 Pictou, Tracadie, Mabou, Margaree, Sydney, Albert Bridge, Country 

 Harbour, St. Mary's Eiver, Lisoomb Harbour, Jeddore Head, and 

 nearly everywhere in the Bras d'Or Lakes. It is found around the 

 whole coast of the Island of Prince Edward, and many places in British 

 Columbia are also adapted for the growth and cultivation of oysters. 



" In most of these places there are remnants of a stock which, for 

 delicacy of flavour and nutritive properties, is not excelled by the 

 choicest varieties grown and caught on the United States coasts. Along 

 the whole tidal shores of Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick es- 

 pecially, oysters of the finest description might be raised in enormous 

 quantities were the natural facilities for their culture enhanced by a 

 proper system of cultivation and protection. When it is borne in mind 

 that the mother oyster yields 50,000,000 to 150,000,000 ova each season, 

 some slight conception may be formed of the probable return from any 

 careful system of cultivation if once properly carried out. 



" In 1880, this industry yielded in the States $13,403,852, eighty 

 per cent of which came from Chesapeake Bay. This- high state of pro- 

 ductiveness was attained only by an economic use of existing oyçit-r 

 grounds, accompanied by careful and intelligent cultivation." 



In the scientific experiments carried on, in connection with the 

 Station, the Dominion Government's oyster steamer '"'Ostrea,'^ in com- 

 mand of Captain Ernest Kemp, rendered most valuable assistance, and 

 very thorough investigations into the physical and chemical characteris- 

 tics of the sea-water on the oyster beds, including determinations of the 

 salinity, specific gravity, temperature, etc., as well as the intricate biolo- 

 gical conditions which obtained, were made. Professor J. J. Mackenzie, 

 Professor of Pathology, University of Toronto, made a study of the 



