684 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [12] 



communicates with the canal through a small sluice gate, which serves 

 to admit the water and to retain it when required. 



Quite a large spring rising within the limits of the property gives the 

 means of tempering the saltness of the sea water. 



What results have been obtained in these pares of Eegneville? 



After a number of preliminary experiments had demonstrated the 

 possibility of carrying on successfully the growing and fattening of 

 the oyster in the pares that had been organized, Madame Sarah Felix 

 undertook, in 1865, some experiments upon the reproduction of oysters 

 in confinement. 



Adult specimens, taken from the bed of La Oostaise, which furnishes 

 the finest and most esteemed products of this section, were placed in a 

 compartment, in which was arranged collecting apparatus made of 

 boards and also of tiles. At the usual time the oysters emitted their 

 spawn, which attached itself to the collectors. The result was not com- 

 pletely successful. It was learned during the progress of the experi- 

 ment that the basin lacked sufficient depth, and that the waters were not 

 sufficiently renewed. The experiment was, however, very encouraging. 



A large number of the young oysters, which they were successful in 

 preserving and which remained attached to the collectors, exhibited a 

 rapid and marvelous development. 



Shortly afterwards, new experiments were made with one hundred 

 thousand oysters. Oyster-culture was then in its inception, and they 

 had not yet learned how to coat the collecting apparatus in order to facil- 

 itate the removal of the oysters which became attached to them. In order 

 to remedy the difficulties which had been experienced, the tiles were 

 covered with paper which had been coated with a thin layer of cement. 

 By this device the removal of the oysters was readily accomplished. 

 Moreover, by suitable arrangements, a regular and ample supply of 

 water was secured in the basins. 



Success was complete. The collectors became loaded with young oys- 

 ters ; their removal was easy, and the subsequent development of this 

 new generation, born in the pares of Kegneville, was accomplished under 

 the most advantageous conditions. 



For some time afterwards, the pares, the maintenance of which in- 

 volved costly labors and continued repairs, were on the point of being 

 abandoned. In 1873, Mr. Valle placed in them, to grow and fatten, 

 83,000 young oysters, originally brought from Yivier-sur-Mer, and hav- 

 ing a mean diameter of from 2 to 3 centimeters. A year later, 05,000 

 of these were sold, having then attained a diameter of 7 to 8 centi- 

 meters. Since this period, Madame Sarah Felix has made some improve- 

 ments which she has decided upon, so that fresh water can be intro- 

 duced into the establishment at all stages of the tide. This was not 

 practicable before the level of the gate had been lowered and the 

 basins excavated to a greater depth. 



There is every reason to think that, with these well-planned improve- 



