114 THE OYSTER. 



concerning the matter of leaving a portion of the tile 

 attached to the young. For the present we will 

 merely state that under that system the tile is cut, 

 leaving a portion adhering to each oyster, forming a 

 sort of heel. 



Some of our culturists, who breed oysters in this 

 manner, cover their tiles with a slight coating of 

 hydraulic cement. The young oyster attaches itself 

 to the cement, but the coating being very thin is soon 

 worn away, leaving the oyster quite firmly fixed to 

 the tile. 



Others, on the contrary, who, six months after the 

 collectors have been set, prefer to separate the oysters 

 entirely from the tile with the blade of a knife, gener- 

 ally cover the tile with two layers, and proceed in a 

 different manner. 



Quicklime is slacked just before it is to be used, and 

 is put, while still in a state of ebullition, into a large 

 vat, where two-thirds the same quantity of sand have 

 been placed. The mixture is stirred until it has at- 

 tained the consistency of clear broth. The collectors, 

 held by the lower end, are dipped into the vat. One 

 immersion suffices, after which they are taken in hand- 

 barrows and exposed to the air to dry before setting 

 them up. This excellent coating should be prepared 

 with fresh water only; sea-water prevents its adhering 

 for any length of time to the tiles, and if it comes off 

 the labor is of course lost. After this coating of lime 

 has hardened, the tiles are dipped a second time into 

 a bath of hydraulic cement, after which they are ready 

 for use. 



Tiles may be used as spat-collectors in either deep 



