THE OYSTER. 1 93 



the beds in greater numbers than ever at the end of the 

 season. 



This is equally true whether the closed season is 

 long or short. If our waters, or any part of them, 

 should be closed to the public for a term of years, the 

 oysters would increase and multiply and finally restock 

 the beds. It is difficult to state exactly how long a 

 time would be required, as this depends upon the con- 

 dition of the beds. When there are plenty of mature 

 oysters to supply the spat, and plenty of clean shells 

 for the young to fasten upon, a few years will suffice 

 to restore the bed ; but after an oyster-bed is thoroughly 

 exhausted there is no reason why another natural bed 

 should ever grow up in the same spot rather than any- 

 where else, and in any case the closure of certain 

 districts cannot increase the supply beyond its natural 

 limits. In some parts of France the oyster territory 

 has been divided into sections, and each section is 

 fished in turn while the others are closed and left to 

 repair their losses. We are told by a recent French 

 writer that, while the provinces which have made use 

 of this system have been able to preserve their beds 

 from complete ruin, they have not been able to increase 

 their fruitfulness or to restore them to their ancient 

 splendor. 



Even if the waters are loaded with spat from ad- 

 jacent beds, there is no reason why the young should 

 gain a foothold on the site of the exterminated bed. 

 Between the natural beds there are areas where the 

 bottom is perfectly adapted for oysters, except that 

 there is nothing for the spat to fasten to, and an exter- 

 minated natural bed is in the same condition. 



