318 OSTREAD^. 



The oyster-beds there extend about twenty miles, from the 

 Island of Mucra to Cockenzie, and are dredged in from 

 four to six or seven fathoms water. The best are pro- 

 cured near Burntisland, on a bed belonging to the Earl of 

 Morton, on the rocky ground, opposite Portobello, and at 

 Prestonpaus. The price varies, wholesale, from two shillings 

 to two shillings and sixpence the hundred, the retail price 

 from two shillings and sixpence to four shillings and six- 

 pence, or even five shillings. Eight or ten years ago the 

 price was much less, but an individual having taken the 

 ground off Newhaven for a high rent, which he is said 

 never to have paid, so cleared the beds that they have 

 since been comparatively rare. 



Mr. George Moffat, fishdealer in Edinburgh, has, at the 

 request of Dr. Knapp, very kindly drawn up a note on the 

 statistics of the oyster-fisheries of the Frith of Forth, and 

 the consumption of oysters in the Edinburgh market, 

 which, on account of its completeness, we print entire in a 

 note.* 



* Note on the oyster-fisheries which supply the Edinburgh market, by Mr. George 

 D. Moffat. 



Twenty-five boats, working for four months, viz., September, October, March, 

 and April, say sixty-four days (four days per week), dredge at an average 480 

 oysters per boat per day. hide, 



25 X 64 X 480 = . . . . . 768,000 



Eight boats, working for four months, viz., November, December, 

 January, and February, say sixty-four daj's (four days per week), 

 dredge at an average 480 oj'sters per day per boat. Inde, 



8 X 64 X 480 = . . . . . 245,760 



Number of oysters dredged at an average in the season at Newhaven, 1,013,760 



*** Fisherrow, Prestonpans, and Cockenzie, may be taken in all at the 

 same ratio. Therefore, doubling the above, makes 2,027,520 oysters, which 

 may be calculated to be dredged in the Forth in the season ; only three-fourth 

 parts of which, however, it is believed are sent to Edinburgh, being 1,520,640. 



