19 



Oysters (above 2 inches in length) are annually taken off the 

 New South Wales oyster-beds. When it is considered that 

 this is to a great extent the result of artificial cultivation, 

 it is highly gratifying. In the introductory portion of my 

 '' Edible Fishes of New South Wales," I stated that " although^ 

 this number* very strikingly indicates the present importance 

 of the industry, it may be safely stated that, when all the 

 oyster lands are treated in the same way as a comparative 

 few are at present, the output will be at least quadrupled." 

 I have since thought that I put it far too mildly in using 

 the word " quadrupled." I think really that there would be 

 no exaggeration in saying that the output might be multiplied 

 by twenty — and even then I only refer to areas at present 

 under lease. In addition there are immense areas along the 

 foreshores of some of our estuaries, which, while they do not 

 naturally grow an oyster at present, might, by a method of 

 scientific culture, be turned into great and profitable oyster- 

 farms. 



I would like to touch upon some of the methods of culture 

 at present in vogue in our waters, but must reserve it for 

 another place. 



In saying that the oyster output might be greatly increased 

 let it not be thought that the oystermen of New South Wales 

 are sluggards, or naturally slow to perceive, opportunities — 

 but what they need (as already publicly acknowledged by 

 many of them) in common with our fishermen, is a grand 

 system of education, and their interest in a study of the 

 subject should be fostered by means of lectures and by pub- 

 lications distributed freely among them. Experimental oyster 

 farms should also be established under Government control 

 on somewhat similar lines to, and with the same objects as our 

 Agricultural Stations. At these places, various methods of 

 oyster-culture would be tried, the natural enemies of the 

 oyster would be studied, and means for holding them in 

 check or eradicating them would be experimented with. 



* The number I referred to there was " nearly 17,000,000." Last 

 year, however, the quantity was greatly in excess of that, and pro- 

 duction is undoubtedly on the increase. 



