23 



In order to see if it would be possible to encourage spatting 

 two fences were erected, one to the south of the Mill Burn and the 

 other on the Oyster Scaup. These fences were about eight yards 

 long. Three stakes were driven about three feet into the ground 

 leaving almost five feet above the surface. The stakes were given 

 suitable side supports, and three wires were run from one end to 

 the other. Hazel branches were fastened with rope yarn to the 

 wires, and then the tops were bent over and interlaced with the 

 lower portions of the branches. After these fences were completed 

 a number of stout branches were placed in the muddy ground to the 

 west of the Oyster Scaup. 



In June the beds were visited. The transplanted mussels were 

 well established, and this year's growth had commenced. There 

 was a quantity of weed on the beds, which would have been improved 

 and rendered less liable to destruction by heavy seas had there 

 been time to remove the weed. 



The fence erected on Fenham Flats was standing and in good 

 condition, but covered with a fair quantity of weed. That 

 erected on the Oyster Scaup was down, and two of the small stakes 

 used for side supports, together with the wire of these supports, 

 were missing. It is strange that this portion which was considered 

 to be the strongest part of the fence, should not only come loose 

 but also be washed away. What was left of the fence was fastened 

 securely, and although not in its original condition, it will serve to 

 show if such erections will be of value in encouraging spatting. 



At the same time portions of the Oyster Scaup and Fenham 

 Flats were examined. Two beds of mussels made by some of the 

 fishermen are doing well, but they also were covered with weed, 

 and would be improved if they were taken up and spread less 

 thickly. To this opinion the fishermen themselves agreed. In the 

 region of the fence on Fenham Flats small beds of mussels, which 

 doubtlessly had spatted last year, were seen. On the Oyster Scaup 

 between the beds formed by transplantation and Holy Island are 

 two patches of young mussels, also of last year's spat, which together 

 will cover an area of about one-and-a-half acres. In the middle of 

 these patches short stakes were driven in order to fix their location. 

 The development of these young mussels will be watched with 

 interest, for they are in a favourable position for rapid growth. 



