BARREN OYSTER BOTTOMS 67 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 38a 



FREEZING TO BOTTOM IN WINTER. 



Young oysters are said to have a high death-rate on the north point of Grover 

 island. This would appear to be due more to crushing by the iee than to freezing, 

 since many oysters survive in the depressions, in the small crevices, and on the sides 

 of stones. No evidence was obtained that oysters were killed on the beds by freezing. 

 It was commonly stated that the ice was thin over the beds and that the thinness was 

 a source of danger to travellers on the winter roads across the bay unless these roads 

 avoided the beds. Some attributed it to the " natural heat " of the oyster beds. Others 

 more properly to the currents which are naturally stronger over the shallow beds. 



TIME OF SPAWNING. 



Spawning was late this year. Oysters began to shed their spawn and oyster fry 

 to appear in the water about the first of August. Fry was still found in the bay on 

 the 29th of Augnst, but none after that date. The oysters in the warmer water 

 spawned somewhat later than those in the cooler water, there being a difference of 

 about two or three days in the date of spawning at the south end of the Big bay and 

 that in the Inner bay, and the deep-water oysters retained their spawn about a week 

 after those in the shallower beds and in the rivers had shed all theirs. The bulk of 

 the spawning took place during the first three weeks of August. 



TIME AND EXTENT OF SPATTING. 



Spat-collectors were made by placing shell in cylindrical containers made of wii'o 

 netting. These, which were from 2 to 4 feet in height, were placed at various points 

 around the bay. They were kept upright by being firmly wired to stakes. They were 

 numbered, and at the end of the season were removed to deeper water to permit of 

 further observations during subsequent seasons. The attempt to secure spat by the 

 use of glass strips, placed with each collector, proved unsuccessful. 



The following account shows in respect to each collector: the date set out, the 

 location, some account of the environmental factors, the date taken up, the set of 

 spat, and some account of the condition of the shell at the time of lifting. 



1. August 19. — Bideford river, end of the first point above the wharf; near but not 

 in eel-grass; oyster beds farther up the river; September 14, set heavy; heavily slimed 

 over. 



2. August 19. — Trout river, lowest point on the left bank; in 3-5 feet, near but 

 not in eel-grass; oyster beds close at hand; September 14, set heavy; heavily slimed 

 over. 



3. August 19. — Bideford river, left bank. Sharp's point ; in 3-5 feet on edge of eel- 

 grass; near oyster bed; September 14; set heavy; heavily slimed over, 



4. August 19. — Narrows between Lennox island and the mainland. Sharp's bed 

 "Rock bed"; in 2-5 feet, no eel-grass on oyster bed; September 14; set heavy; 

 heavily slimed. 



5. August 19. — Narrows between Lennox island and the mainland. Sharp's bed 

 (Peter Creek bed); in 2-5 feet, no eel-grass on oyster bed; September 14; set heavy; 

 heavily slimed. 



6. August 19. — Lennox island, first point northwest of the wharf; in 4 feet, among 

 eel-grass, not close to oyster beds; September 14, no set, moderately slimed. (This col- 

 lector fell over shortly after being set out and was left lying). 



7. August 19. — Gillies point; in 2-5 feet, among eel-grass, not close to oyster bed; 

 September 14; set light; slightly slimed. 



8. August 20. — Middle island, southwest point; in 3 feet, among eel-grass, not 

 close to oyster beds; September 14; no set; slightly slimed. 



9. August 20. — Middle island, southeast point; in 3 feet, among eel-grass, near 

 scattered oysters; September 14, set light; slightly slimed. 



38a— 5i 



