CXXII REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Another opportunity to secure these observations was fortunately 

 presented about a year ago, when Dr. Bashford Deau, of Columbia 

 College, iS"ew York, started upou a trip to Europe, intending to be 

 absent for some time. Arrangements were accordingly made with him 

 to visit all of the oyster-producing countries of the old world and to 

 report fully upon the methods there employed, paying especial atten- 

 tion to those matters which might prove of most interest-to American 

 oyster-growers. Dr. Dean was well qualified to conduct this investi- 

 gation, having been connected during several years with the oyster 

 commission of IS'ew York State, and having served as naturalist and 

 physicist of the steamer Fish Hawk on the oyster survey of South 

 Carolina in 1890-91. During the past fiscal year he completed his 

 studies in France, Spain, and Portugal, and his report relative to the 

 first- mentioned country has been received and published.* It presents 

 a thoroughly comprehensive but concise account of the industry as 

 now carried on, and the illustrations which accompany it, mostly 

 engraved from photographs by the author, emphasize the more essen- 

 tial features of that remarkable system of artificial culture by which 

 the French have maintained their high standard of production. 



After explaining the differences existing between the flat, northern, 

 or genuine French oyster and the introduced Portuguese species, and 

 discussing briefly the Government regulations with regard to dredging 

 on the natural beds, the author takes up the different branches of oyster- 

 culture under the following headings : Production, or the raising of seed 

 oysters, and kinds of collectors ; elevage, or the growing of oysters for 

 market; clairesj special processes, such as "greening" or preparing 

 for transportation. The following remarks are taken in part from the 

 introduction and in part from the concluding chapter of this i^aper: 



When one lias carefully examined oyster-culture in France it ajjpears more than 

 ever manifest why the industry at home has been a profitable one. It has certainly 

 required the exercise of but little labor, and all costly methods of cultivation could 

 have proven of little practical value. So great has been our natural sui^ply of 

 oysters that we have always thought far distant the need of replenishment. 



If, however, the present condition of our industry must be improved, there are 

 fortunately but few natural obstacles to overcome, and we may well be hopeful. 

 Our oysters are of a hardy and prolific species, our coast is a natural collecting-place 

 for seed, and the conditions of our oyster-bearing grounds are practically as good 

 as ever. We have in no degree the adverse conditions that the French have so suc- 

 cessfully encountered. Their coast regions, in the first place, favorable to a natural 

 growth of oysters, are both few and small. Their waters, even in some of the best- 

 known localities, are often turbid, accumulate sediment, and give rise to shiftinga 

 of muddy bottoms. Culture has had to bring into use the softest flats and mud 

 banks, crusting them over with gravel and sand; it has had to devise every possible 

 way of protecting its oysters from sediment, mud burial, and enemies. Finally, 

 there are but two points along their entire coast where seed oysters occur in any 

 natural abundance. Skill in culture, however, has enabled Arcachon and Anray to 

 supply readily the great home demand for seed, and even to furuish in large part 

 the parks of the Low Countries and England, a success the more remarkable when 



* Report on the Present Methods of Oyster-Culture in France. By Bashford Dean. 

 Bull. U. S. Fish Com., x, for 1890, pp. 363-388, plates 68-78. 



