8 DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVAL SERVICE 



6 GEORGE V, A. 1916 



of $15,000,000. Possibly some districts, as the author points out, could not be readily- 

 exploited at present, but large areas are certainly available for profitable utilization. 

 Further experiments are urgently needed, and a scheme of leasing and of turning the 

 kelp-beds to account might be advantageously devised without delay. 



IV. GOVERNMENT LOBSTER POND, N.S. (PROFESSOR KNIGHT). 



The problem of impounding breeding lobsters, hatching them out and rearing the 

 fry, in inclosed waters, form the main subjects of Professor Knight's laborious 

 "Researches at the Lobster Pond, Long Beach, Digby Neck, N.S." His results are 

 difficult to summarize, but the conclusions reached are that an ideal lobster pond 

 should be — 



(1) Accessible for easy transportation of lobsters and fry. 



(2) Of a temperature appropriate, and not too cold. 



(3) Of a suitable depth. 



(4) Not subject to excessive vegetable growths, diatoms, etc. 



(5) Open to ample sunshine influence. 



(6) Provided with sheltered areas. 



(7) Of suitable salinity. 



The last two conditions only are satisfactorily provided at Long Beach. Accord- 

 ing to Dr. Knight's investigations, the average temperature it appears was 60-8° F., 

 and far too cold for the growth of lobster fry, which became clothed with parasitic 

 plant growths during their retarded development, and in consequence unable to feed 

 properly, so that they died before reaching the fourth stage. The fourth stage is 

 usually attained in the second or third week, when the larval features are lost and" the 

 fry descend to the bottom. In addition to the coldness of the water, cloudy weather, 

 and microbes, all affecting the delicate young fry, there appeared vast number.s of 

 shrimp-like enemies {My sis idotea), etc. One specimen of My sis was placed in a basin 

 of water with ten lobster larvae, and in two hours eight were killed and partly devoured. 



Dr. Knight confined a number of male and female lobsters in limited inclosures, 

 and found that 70 per cent of the females extruded eggs before the end of September, 

 in contrast to the conditions in the open sea where a large number of female lobsters 

 never find males; hence the small percentage of females found by fishermen carrying 

 eggs in St. Mary's bay and the bay of Fundy. The sexes are too widely scattered, and 

 Dr. Knight lays emphasis on the necessity of providing inclosed mating grounds under 

 official superintendence. The details of the rearing plant and the machinery used are 

 included in the report and are of considerable interest. The Long Beach pound in 

 most respects does not appear to be favourable for the objects sought by the depart- 

 ment. 



v. BARREN OYSTER BOTTOMS, P.E.I. (mR. A. D. ROBERTSON). 



Mr. A. D. Eobertson's report on " Barren Oyster Beds, P.E.I.," indicates the large 

 amount of investigation desirable in order to ascertain the possibilities of expanding 

 oyster culture. The bottom of these " barren areas " was found to be red sand, with 

 rocky sandstone patches and soft mud, while in some places dense layers of oyster and 

 clam shells covered the soft portions. Eel grass occurred from a depth of 8 to 12 feet 

 out from shore, and seaweeds usually clothed the rocky surfaces. The channels, 2 to 

 30 or even 40 feet, frequently presented abrupt edges on which oyster spat settled. 

 Salinities and temperatures were taken at 126 places, both at the top and bottom of 

 the water, and specific gravity, percentage of chlorine and of solids were the features 

 ascertained. The densities are most suitable for oyster growth. The floating food 

 diatoms, etc.) was studied, and samples submitted to Dr. A. H. MacKay, of Halifax, 



