28 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



first balf of 1893 the original square bed had been transformed into an 

 ahnost solid oyster bank. In 1892 the six new frames were not in place 

 until later in the season and the results were consequently not so good, 

 but the experiment attracted much attention among the oyster-growers 

 of the neighborhood. 



The satisfactory outcome of Professor Eyder's experiments induced 

 the legislature of New Jersey to appropriate $5,000 annually for three 

 years to supplement his work upon a practical scale. In discussing 

 the nianner in which this sum could best be expended Professor Eyder 

 has expressed himself as follows respecting; the method which he would 

 prefer to see tried : 



If any action is to be taken in the matter, sites should "be selected, under intelli- 

 gent direction, at different points in tlie State at once, and work begun to carry out 

 tbe experiments on a large, practical scale. If successful, this investment by the 

 State of $5,000 per year will be an absolutely insignificant sum in comparison with 

 tlic resulting development of an industry worth millions of dollars per annum to her 

 citizens. 



My plan, based partlj' upon the experimental results of the past obtained by 

 myself and others, is something like the following: First of all, having obtained a 

 suitable place where oyster spatting is known to occur naturally and abundantly, 

 and where the salinity of the water is about right, or somewhere between 1.014 and 

 1.022, according to a standard hydrometer, a site is to be selected for the establish- 

 ment of the plant, which should be in complete Avorking condition not later than 

 the 25th day of June next. This site should be of such a character as will enable the 

 construction of an inclosure or pond on a pretty large scale, say half an acre at 

 least. It might even be that a pond Avould have to be excavated near the shore; but 

 in any event the i)lant sliould be so arranged that, under the given conditions, the 

 most economical plans of construction could be followed. This pond should be com- 

 pletely shut olf from all direct tidal connection with the sea while in use, and lie, 

 if possible, in a perfectly accessible position from all sides, somewhat higher than 

 Bea level, though it should be possible to fill the pond from the sea if necessary. 



The pond, which we will designate A, should represent an area, say, of from 

 one-half to 1 acre, with a platform resting upon piles, quite near the surface of the 

 ■water. This platform is formed of galvanized netting, 2-inch mesh, costing 3 cents 

 per square yard, and supported on piles and stringers. It will hold a layer of oyster 

 shells 3 or 4 inches thick, or 40 bushels to the square rod, or from 800 to 1,600 

 bushels of oyster shells, according as the size of such a pond and platform equals 

 one-half or 1 acre. Tliis is our nursery for clean oyster shells, clam shells, pots- 

 herds, tiles, or anything that young swimming oyster "fry" will cling to in order to 

 grow into the condition of the young oyster, or "spat," as it is called. 



There should bo another platform, B, of an area of one-fourth acre, covered thickly, 

 say, with 100 to 200 bushels of adult spawning oysters, and the whole immersed, say, 6 

 inches or 1 foot below extreme low water. This area should also have a ledge of 

 heavyplankiugconstructedallroundit, 80 as to prevent the "fry" of the oyster during 

 its floating stage from being wafted away by the tides and lost. Where a natural 

 oyster reef exists the platforui Avould not be needed, since such a reef near by would 

 amply supply the millions of fry that would be required for our experiments. 



Next there must be a wind engine and tank for pumping the sea water through 

 pipes from all parts of the area 15, and from near the surface, where the floating or 

 swimming "fry" is very abuiulant. This sea water, charged with its oyster " fry," 

 is then carried to the far side of the pond A. The water then flows from outlet pipes 

 toward escape pipes and back to the sea. In this way, with only slight i)rovi8ion8 

 for filtration, and perhaps a tank under the wind engine for allowing the coarsest 



