PROPOSED IMPROVED METHOD OF CULTURE 121 



Rendering Assistance to the Oyster. — As a general method it may be 

 proposed, in brief, to observe the natural conditions of existence — both 

 extrinsic and intrinsic — of the oyster and of each different stage of its 

 development. Distinguish the useful from the detrimental. Increase 

 and improve the former, decrease and remove the latter. 



Assistance may be given (1) directly to the oyster or its developing 

 young, (2) indirectly through improvement of the environment. 



It is conceivably possible to: 



1. Increase the number of fertilized eggs by 



(1) planting spawning oysters near enough together to effect 

 natural fertilization, 



(2) artificially fertilizing oyster eggs and turning out some stage 

 of the product into suitable places. 



2. Save eggs and larvae by improving the environment to prevent 



(1) smothering in mud, 



(2) carrying away by currents, 



(3) being eaten up by other animals. 



3. Create facilities for spatting by planting cultch at the proper 

 time and place. 



4. Care for spat by 



(1) guarding against sediment, crowding, enemies, frost, storms, 



etc., 



(2) furnishing food. 



5. Turn to use suitable unoccupied areas. 



Coastal regions may be classified into 



1. Suitable natural oyster areas. 



2. Adaptable areas. 



3. Impossible areas. 



Food is always present, although in variable kind and amount, 

 everywhere along the coast. Rock, gravel, sand, clay, mud, ooze, etc., may 

 be found without going very great distances. Salinity in any degree 

 between that of the saltest sea-water and the purest fresh water may be 

 found by moving either out towards the ocean or in towards gulfs, bays, 

 coves, estuaries, rivers, creeks, etc. The temperature, the condition of 

 greatest importance, must for some part of the summer season rise to 

 certain degrees of warmth and maintain them for sufficient time to permit 

 the breeding processes. The conditions on an oyster bed must be very 

 favourable so far as the requirements for fertilization are concerned, for 

 there are myriads of both eggs and sperms within reach of each other. 

 Artificial fertilization destroys the adult oysters used and turns into the 

 sea such small numbers compared with what are already there as to be 

 negligible. Differently constituted stages of the developing oyster may 



