104 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



mixed with mud, and is used as a fertilizer for the land. It contains 

 many good shells that might serve as cultch and sometimes living oysters 

 and spat. The bottom is cut into deep trenches into which the edges 

 collapse. There is a great amount of sediment stirred up, and heaps of 

 mud are left to settle when the ice melts. 



Winter fishing by means of rakes through holes cut in the ice was 

 formerly very destructive in that the small, unmarketable oysters were 

 left on the ice to perish. 



Oyster shells have been used in the building of roads, and at one 

 time oysters were burned for the lime contained in their shells. 



In all this man's influence on the oyster has been one of destruction, 

 injury, hindrance, for which he makes no amends. To pursue these 

 practices would mean ultimate extinction. 



