62 DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVAL SERVICE 
7 GEORGE V, A. 1917 
The third period shows a maximum of oyster production in the Dominion, and also 
in the two main oyster-producing provinces. The decline began in the middle of the 
fourth period, mainly in Prince Edward Island, which led in production up to 1906, 
when it sank to the level of New Brunswek. Thenceforth it fell behind until its pro- 
duction reached only half of the province of New Brunswick. The decline in the latter 
province from the maximum has been little more than 20 per cent with 80 per cent 
decline in the island province. This difference in the rate of depletion has been 
explained as due to two main influences: the greater demand for the island product - 
and the discovery of new beds in New Brunswick, when several of the older beds were 
fished out. 
It is interesting to read the summary of the reports of various inspectors and 
experts from 1868 onward, given in Ernest Kemp’s “ The Oyster Fisheries of Canada,” 
1899. These reports sound a uniform warning that the Canadian oyster industry was 
in danger of complete destruction unless proper measures were taken to conserve it. 
The decline in the industry has not been so keenly realized by the fishermen, because 
the price of oysters has increased proportionately. This fact augurs seriously for this 
industry. Oysters, even when cheap, are considered somewhat of a luxury, and a rise 
in price must tend to exclude them more and more from the menus of the middle 
classes; while at the same time the importation of foreign oysters must increase. The 
Canadian fisherman has relied for the protection of his interests on the superior quality 
of his oysters; but this superiority is threatened in two ways: first, it has become neces- 
sary to market oysters from beds that do not produce them of the highest quality; and 
second, by the attempt of planters to grow imported seed in Canadian waters, in the 
hope that they will attain the citizenship at least, or, if possible, attain the quality of 
the home product. This “American” seed is sometimes of inferior quality and, 
although it certainly improves under cultivation in more southern waters, it les dor- 
mant for a long time, without growth, when transplanted to the northern beds. Accord- 
ing to the claims of the fishermen, with whose product these oysters compete, when 
sold, it injures their market by giving the oysters from their locality a bad reputation. 
The cultivation of foreign oysters in Canadian waters is of considerable scientific 
as well as practical interest. From the shght evidence at hand, we conclude it will 
take more than a year to acclimate Connecticut seed in Canada, before growth begins. 
It will take a correspondingly longer time to impress the Canadian quality upon these 
oysters after growth begins. It will, therefore, be wise to import this seed as young as 
possible to secure the best results. It is still somewhat doubtful whether the Canadian 
oyster may not be a distinct variety, breeding true to its kind. The Canadian oyster 
spat, at the time of fixation to cultch, is a fourth larger than the spat in the corre- 
sponding stage of development in New Jersey waters. Whether this difference is due 
to environment or is inherent, remains to be settled by experimental observations, 
Oysters usually show improved quality in colder waters, due largely to the shortness of 
the spawning season. While it is interesting to note the outcome of attempts to cul- 
tivate “ American” oysters in Canada, it will be wisest for the Canadian planter to do 
all he can to promote the production of the native seed. ; 
PART IL—OYSTER PROPAGATION SURVEY OF RICHMOND BAY, P.EJI. 
In presenting the following synopsis of observations made in Richmond bay we 
wish to call attention to the fact that there are many points in the life and habits 
of oysters and their young that are yet unknown and which should be known in order 
to make the proper applications to economic problems. Aiming to make our investi- 
gations throw light upon these other matters, at the same time that we attempt to be 
as practical as possible, the work of surveying so extensive an area as that of Richmond 
bay by the methods developed by our previous experience, introduces much complexity. 
There were so many things that should receive simultaneous attention that much was 
