96 THE OYSTER. 



of the same character has just terminated; a third 

 will soon follow. 



In Morbihan the development of oyster culture is 

 no less striking. The section of Vannes contains 

 nearly 200 oyster parks, while that of Auray will soon 

 have 300, and requests are still coming in. Thus, 

 persons in all stations in life are engaging in oyster 

 culture, either by investing their capital in it or by 

 laboring for it. Many of them are without experience 

 in the matter, and it therefore seems proper and oppor- 

 tune to add to this brief historical sketch a few practi- 

 cal remarks concerning the processes now in use for 

 the cultivation of the oyster. A knowledge of the 

 processes which have the authority of success will, 

 perchance, guide inexperienced oyster-culturists in the 

 right direction and prevent mistakes; it may also in- 

 cite others who are still indifferent or timid. 



One of the most interesting and instructive lessons 

 to be learned from this history of oyster farming in 

 France is that private industry in this field, as in all 

 others, can accomplish more than government influ- 

 ence, and as the cultivation of private farms spreads, 

 the advisability of devoting all suitable grounds to this 

 use becomes more and more apparent. 



Experience the world over teaches that the most 

 efficient agent for the preservation and development of 

 natural wealth is private enterprise. 



The opposition in Maryland at present to the grant- 

 ing of any natural oyster-bed to private holders is very 

 strong indeed, but little insight into the future is 

 needed to perceive that the disappearance of this feel- 

 ing would result in an enormous increase in the pros- 

 perity of our people. 



