[3] OYSTER-CULTURE UPON SHORES OF BRITISH CHANNEL. 675 



begun. Hft saw the decisive results obtained by M. de Bon as well in the 

 restoration of the natural beds as in the securing of spawn. Here was 

 the practical confirmation of his theories, and, moreover, the revelation 

 of the means of carrying them into effect, which he was still seeking for. 

 His lively imagination was filled with enthusiasm at the discovery of 

 M. de Bon. To popularize it he brought to bear the prestige of his high 

 position in the College of France, his distinguished reputation, his sci- 

 entific knowledge, and the declared support of the head of the state. 



Means of action were placed at the disposal of M. Coste, and con- 

 siderable sums of money were devoted to attempts at restocking upon 

 a vast scale. Private industry demanded to share in the movement 

 and followed the impulse given by the Government. 



We know what bitter disappointments attended these first attempts. 

 They seemed to compromise forever the future of the oj'ster industry. 

 But the administration of the marine was awake. The control of it 

 passed into the hands of M. de Bon, who had taken to heart the suc- 

 cess of the enterprise, and who never lost courage. 



The strict observance of the decrees of 1852 in the conduct of the 

 fisheries may be regarded as having contributed largely to the actual 

 prosperity. These decrees, the wisdom and opportuneness of which the 

 event has demonstrated, were intended to sto[) the spoliation and ex- 

 haustion of the oyster-beds and to subject their exploitation to strict and 

 rational regulations. 



These decrees M. de Bon had prepared the way for by his reports 

 and his experimental researches. 



The persevering application of these measures, the care unceasingly 

 renewed, the encouragements and the example, which the administra- 

 tion of the marine continually gave, resulted in bringing aboui the 

 restoration of the natural beds, which were approaching exhaustion, and 

 in provoking a revival of oyster- culture by private individuals. 



These, deriving instruction from their own observations and the ex- 

 periments conducted by the state, have improved and almost perfected 

 their methods. After a rapid revival, we now find this industry yielding 

 remunerative returns to those engaged in it, and not without profit and 

 honor to the whole country.* But we must not forget that administrative 

 guidance is as useful now to assure its success as the solicitude and the 

 encouragement of the state have been necessary in the past to prepare 

 the way and guide its first steps. 



In the course of this report I will doubtless have occasion to state con- 

 tradictory facts, for in practice divergences in the application of pro- 

 cesses constantly arise. This is due to a variety of circumstances. 

 Methods cannot be invariable ; they must possess suflicient flexibility to 

 adapt themselves to all natural conditions, and these conditions vary 



* The number of persons who derive their support from the oyster industry may be 

 estimated at 200,000 at least. 



