OYSTER PROPAGATION IN P.E.I. 69 
SESSIONAL PAPER No. 38a 
b 
Vertical sampling on the “dump” yielded one per 30 feet, the largest being 200 mu. 
Similarly, off Ramsey’s, one per 25 feet gave sizes 160, 220, and 380 mu. Towing 
towards the buoys farthest from the wharf, gave fry 180 to 240 mu. At this buoy a 
string of shells was hung as cultch; vertical sample here yielded one per 50 feet, of 
sizes 280 and 320 mu. Another sample at the buoy nearest the wharf gave same ver- 
tical ratio, but of size 160 mu only. Towing towards whart also gave fry of this size. 
Towing towards Shipyard river yielded no fry. 
August 17, on way to Bideford, water on Little Curtain shoals was 1020 at 70° F. 
Towing at full speed between Bunbury and Ram island, yields no fry, and we suspected 
that all were pressed through net. A northeast storm broke at 11 a.m., and weather 
did not clear until afternoon of the 19th. Meanwhile, we coated oyster shells with 
coal tar varnish for use as cultch. 
August 20; compared 20 quarts dipped with one minute of towing. On “dump” 
no fry in either sample. On Princetown beds, fry were found only in towing sample, 
of size 140 to 200 mu. Further along channel no fry were found, nor all the way 
to Cross creek, in Grand river, a distance of 9 miles, and with one exception none were 
found in Grand river until the afternoon, when the flood tide came and there were 
plenty. This suggests that the fry had hidden in the bottom during the storm. 
On return, a pair of samples taken in March water between Ram and Bunbury 
islands, 1020 at 68° F., yielded no oyster fry, though plenty of mussel larvee were 
present. 
August 21, tide ebbing all forenoon. Tarred shells were planted on Curtain 
Island shoals and Ram Jsland shoals. The afternoon was spent in Grand river. 
August 23, too rough for sampling, tarred shells placed on Reilley’s lot. 
August 24, visited MecNeill’s lots off Waites point. Oysters there had finished 
spawning, and shells one week planted bore spat a millimeter (1000 mu) in diameter. 
Tarred shells were hung out on these beds. A study of the spat on shells showed that 
the fry set between 320 mu and 400 mu. For future studies of the spat see later the 
special section on “ spatting.” 
August 26, cool and cloudy. Found water fresh and at 60° F. at head of Ship- 
yard river; near its mouth 1018-5 at 72° F., high water. Worked in shelter of 
“Bunbury island (“ Big Curtain” island). Made study of methods and comparison of 
nets Nos. 12 and 20, in the channel, and secured most variable results: out of thirteen 
samples, two yielded no fry, the others yielded fry groups at 100, 120, 200, 240, 280, 320, 
and 360 mu, at a rate of seven to twenty-four per minute, and one fry per 6 to 30 feet. 
Many spat show on shells on planted beds. Took up shells placed August 12 and 
August 16. No spat on latter; one-third of former bear spat. 
August 27, cold northwest wind. Water at wharf 1019-5 at 66° F. Took up tarred 
shells placed on Curtain and Ram Island shoals on the 21st, and also those planted 
August 23 on Reilley’s lot. From Curtain shoals to Reilley’s, water was 1020 at 68° F. 
Secured nine samples en route, which were studied before being’ killed by formalin. 
We noticed action of the long proboscis-like foot of the mature fry. The larve swims 
hinge down, with foot in front or dragging behind at will; used as a feeler to test 
surface for fixation. The fry secured, yielded sizes of 90 to 120, 160, 220 to 240, 280, 
320 to 380 mu. Fewest are near the Reilley end of route. 
August 28, on Ram Island shoals, 1021 at 62° F., a few fry below 160 mu secured 
at rate of one per 30 feet. Fifteen quarts dipped had none. 
CENTRAL BAY. 
We next consider the northern or main section of the Central bay as it receives 
the ebb from the southern sections (viz., the quadrangle and March water), as well 
as that from Bideford and Grand river. We have noticed a decided falling-off in the 
number of fry as this portion is approached, so that we do not expect much from its 
survey. It has a considerable number of more or less depleted beds in its southern 
d8a—54 
