[29] OYSTER-CULTURE UPON SHORES OF BRITISH CHANNEL. 701 



least, could ouly be rescued from total destruction by close supervision 

 and restriction of the drag-net fisbing {ijeche mi chalut). Measures were 

 taken with this view, and the restoration of the beds was attempted. 

 To accomplish this one hundred and thirty thousand parent oysters, 

 having a large number of young ones attached to their shells, were 

 transported from the beds of Auray to the inland sea of Morbihan 

 [Morbihan Bay], and distributed over the site of the old beds. This was 

 followed with the best results, the attempt being crowned with com- 

 plete success, especially upon the bed of Bernon. To day, the condition 

 is much improved ; spawn has appeared at various points, and we 

 may reasonably expect that in less than ten years, perhaps, the gulf of 

 Morbihan will have recovered its former productiveness. 



I will now invite attention to the condition of oyster-culture in the 

 maritime quarter of Yannes. There is progress— progress that cannot 

 be disputed. In 1874 land had been granted by the state for 140 pares, 

 and the number has since risen to 356. Two branches of the oyster- 

 cultural industry are practiced at Vannes, propagation and rearing. 

 The work of propagation has not attained important proportions. The 

 cultivation of the oyster, on the other hand, has been carried on with 

 encouraging results. 



The immense tracts in the gulf of Morbihan, which are left bare at 

 low tide, offer most favorable conditions for cultivation. It is true that 

 the sea is often turbulent, but the numerous currents which traverse it 

 in every direction prove but another element of success when durable 

 pares have been once established. 



Three hundred thousand tiles, intended to catch and fix the spawn, 

 have this year been placed at different points in the river Vannes. 

 The number of spat adhering to each is estimated at from 30 to 60, 

 depending upon the location. 



Among the establishments which have been founded in the neigh- 

 borhood of Vannes I may mention that of MM. du Chelas & Co., 

 situated upon the island of Bailleron, and having attached to it two 

 pares, one on the isle of Lerne and the other on the isle of Illure; and 

 those of MM. Chaumel, Vincent and Liazard, de Lamazelle, and Paul. 



As an experiment five thousand tiles were immersed by the MM. du 

 Chelas & Co. in the vicinity of the beds of Bernon and Bailleron in 1876. 



Establishment of M. Pozzi. — The establishment of Ludr^, which 

 M. Pozzi organized, with the assistance of M. Dalido, in 1874, may be 

 regarded as one of the best arranged in Brittany. It is situated near 

 Sarzeau in the Gulf of Morbihan. It embraces — 



1st. Storage pares, having an area of 5 hectares. These were for- 

 merly salt marshes which have been adapted to the purpose for which 

 they are now used. 



2d. A feeding reservoir ( Une reservoir de decharge.) 



3d. Two submersible basins. It also has connected with it pares, sit- 

 uated upon the islands of Kistinic and Lerne, for the growing of the 

 oyster and it^ preparation for transportation. 



