[27] OYSTER-CULTURE UPON SHORES OF BRITISH CHANNEL. 699 



Some of the cultivators of this locality have a peculiar system of 

 detroquage. Instead of detaching the young oysters from the tiles, 

 these are broken into fragments, one oyster being left adhering to each 

 fragment. 



The object of this method is to enable the cultivators to dispense with 

 the nursing-frames. Its advantages are as follows: 



1st. The young oyster, protected by its firm adhesion to the fragment 

 of tile, cannot easily become a prey to its enemies. 



2d. The fragment of tile adhering to the shell increases its weight 

 and prevents its being shifted by the currents when placed in situations 

 to which the currents have access. 



I would also refer to the very fine submersible ponds of the MM. 

 Leroux, constructed in the open river, where the oysters are kept until 

 fully grown ; also, to those of M. Martin, and the grand establishment 

 of M. le Baron de Wolbock, nor must I forget the pares of the Sea- 

 fishermen's Association of La Trinite. 



In 18G9 the administration of the marine, with the view of promoting 

 the development of practical oyster-culture, which has for its object 

 the collection of spawn, distributed 150,000 tiles as well to this associ- 

 ation as to individuals holding concessions from the marine which they 

 cultivated on their own account. The association has prospered, and 

 by reason of its success, which continues to increase, it has greatly 

 augmented its commercial importance. 



The river Saint-Philibert, between Auray and Crach, the river of 

 Vannes, of which I shall shortly have something to say, and Morbihan 

 Bay {la mer interieure du Morbihan) are localities suitable for the 

 breeding and the cultivation of the oyster. It will be sufficient to men- 

 tion the establishments of the society of Sain te- Anne, those of MM. Eden 

 and Fardin, at Peuingtoul, those of M. Pozzi, and those of M. Leclair, 

 which are in full operation. 



What is the actual condition of oyster-culture in the district of Au- 

 ray ? I may affirm without fear of contradiction that it is prosperous. 

 The one thing needed is an outlet for its products. The oyster-cultural 

 stations of Normandy and the few establishments of Brittany, which are 

 devoted to the cultivation of the oyster, are not sufficient to give room 

 for the hundreds of millions of young oysters which are collected each 

 year in those wonderfully productive rivers, Auray and La Trinite. The 

 collection of fry in 1876 will be still more considerable than for the pre- 

 ceding years. At first they were well satisfied when they succeeded in 

 fixing 20 or 25 spat upon a tile. Now the number averages from 250 to 

 300. Some tiles are found upon which there are more than 1,000 indi- 

 viduals. 



The following statistics, which T owe to the courtesy of M. the Com- 

 missary of Auray, will furnish the information necessary to complete 

 this part of my report : 

 Tlie total number of oyster-cultural establishments for which land 



