OYSTER PROPAGATION IN P.#.I. 67 
SESSIONAL PAPER No. 38a 
“Head” of Upper Bay: August 7, sample near Bentinck point was poor in fry. 
In the middle of the bay the water was 1020 at 74° F. Each of two samples contained 
a fry nearly ready to “set.” August 24, on high water, 1020 at 68° F., a long course, 
dipping from Beech pert towards Webbers point, yielded but few fry, the largest ° 
was 240 mu. 
The quadrangle west of Curtain Shoals: August 7, in its southern portion three 
samples showed many snails but no oyster fry. Farther north it was much the same 
story, only one large fry found in four samples, but many snails. 
Commentary on Upper Bay: The considerable distance of this part of Richmond 
bay from our base at Malpeque, combined with the roughness of the “ quadrangle,” 
‘prevented as full a study of this part as was desirable. Once we buffeted the waves 
quite to Bentinck cove and were compelled to return to shelter east of Curtain shoals. 
This sort of work cannot be done on a boat pitching extremely. From the data 
secured, it is indicated that the oyster plankton of the open bay is sparse, and that 
it is only close to the broad flats that line the shores, where the oyster plankton was 
fairly abundant. There seems to be some correspondence between water temperature 
and oyster plankton, more being found in the warmer waters than the colder ones. 
Another point to be noticed is that the water on the shore flats, probably never leaves 
the upper bay on the ebb tide, but retires temporarily to the edge of the flats to return 
on high water, and so the contained oyster plankton is not lost from this cause. This 
is on the supposition that the fry do not themselves have habits that would oppose 
their transport outwards on ebb tides. While this question is still under investigation 
there is strong evidence to show that fry are more abundant at the surface on flow 
than on ebb. 
Another interesting point concerns the snail larve. These were extraordinarily 
abundant in the Upper bay. The flats of the Upper bay are extensively covered with 
grass. We found snails more abundant near grass plots in all parts of Richmond bay. 
We do not know whether the snails feed on the oyster fry, but have suspicions. This 
matter is worth investigating. We know that snails are enemies of the young spat. 
It is probable that these snails should be fought in the interest of oyster culture. 
MARCH WATER. 
This part of the bay is bounded on the southwest by Curtain islands and Beech 
point. Across the shoals between the point and the islands, there is current com- 
munication with the “ quadrangle” and with the Upper bay. March water is bounded 
on the northeast by Prince point and “ Ram” island. Across these shoals, there is 
water communication with the Lower bay. But the main outlet is to the northwest, 
between Bunbury and Ram island, into the Central bay. The eastern part of the 
March water section is the Shipyard basin, at whose head is Malpeque wharf. Ship- 
yard river enters here from the south. Shipyard basin is separated from March water 
by a considerable grass flat. Extensive grass flats also cover the Curtain Island 
shoals. The oyster beds are mainly near Prince point, Ram island, north of Bunbury 
shoals, and the channel between Bunbury and Ram island. Owing to the fact that 
our home base was at Malpeque, and also that we had to traverse March water every 
“ime a visit was made to any other part of the bay, and that it was less disturbed by 
winds than other parts, this section received more continuous attention than the rest 
of the bay. It did not, however, offer so rich a plankton as did Grand river between 
Southwest creek and Cross creek. We shall consider our observation of it as a whole, 
chronologically. 
August 5, at low ebb, on “old dump” in northern part of Shipyard basin, 1020 
at 70° F. <A dipped sample yields many snails, Peridinias and Tintinnias, a few large 
oyster fry, some medium, and several small ones. Similar results found after crossing 
the grass. On Princetown beds the snails were fewer, oysters more numerous, but still 
38a—5 
