THE OYSTER. IO9 



large number of sailing vessels. Shells that but a few 

 years ago were almost worthless, have increased in 

 value, and are sought after far and near. It is esti- 

 mated by competent judges that the number of acres 

 under cultivation is at least double what it was one 

 year ago. With trifling exceptions, good sets have 

 been secured upon the beds, and, if no unusual acci- 

 dents occur, the crop the next two years will be enor- 

 mous. One cultivator alone looks for no less than 

 1,000,000 bushels of marketable natives from his own 

 grounds. Several other growers, individuals and 

 companies, are looking for large crops, and all are 

 planning to still further extend their farms. 



" It does not admit of a doubt that the business of 

 oyster-growing as carried on in the waters of the 

 Sound, is exceedingly profitable." 



The Connecticut oystermen have many obstacles 

 and risks, from which our own waters are free, and 

 many of the farms have been completely ruined by 

 starfish and other enemies, but notwithstanding all 

 these drawbacks, the crop, which was 336,000 bushels 

 in 1880, had increased in 1888 to 1,454,000 bushels. 



During the period of his employment by the French 

 Government to replenish the oyster grounds, Coste 

 devised a number of plans for furnishing an attach- 

 ment for the oyster spat, and these devices have been 

 greatly improved by other experimenters. 



Most of them could be employed in our own waters 

 with advantage, and in order to make our people 

 acquainted with them, we will give a brief description 

 of the more important substances which have been 

 thus employed. Some of them are adapted for certain 



