734 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [10] 



iug: Wliile the oysterciiltivators at Arcaclion are unable to export 

 their oysters until they have attained the size of five centimetres, the 

 Bretons are at liberty to sell, generally, the oyster while in the condi- 

 tion of spat, and are not bound to occupy themselves with the rearing. 

 The question of price is an important one, especially as oyster culture 

 is still in its infancy in this district. 



A certain number of oyster-cultivators in Brittany substitute, to some 

 extent, for the use of boxes, the use of what is termed Vhiittre a tessons. 

 This expression may be thus explained : the young oysters are left for 

 a certain time on the tiles, and then, instead of detaching them, the 

 collector itself is cut into fragments. Each oyster adheres to one of 

 these fragments. This system, which was invented by one of our most 

 distinguished oyster-cultivators, Dr. Greppy, possessed the advantage 

 of placing the oyster in a better position for resisting the attacks o) 

 its natural enemies ; the crab, for instance. 



Other cultivators allow the oyster to remain fixed to the collector fo 

 two years. They place the tiles, when covered with spat, in the em erg 

 ing basin or merely in the dahes. The loss attending the operation of 

 detachment is considerable; but some oysters are checked in their 

 growth owing to their pressing too closely one against the other. 



I have no occasion now to enter into further details, but will proceed 

 to consider the centers for rearing and fattening. The most important 

 centers for fattening will be found at Marennes and la Tremblade. 



Marennes has been noted for many years for the production of green 

 oysters ; but for some time past this locality has supplied commerce 

 with large quantities of oysters which have been imported from all 

 parts of France and laid down for the purpose of rearing and fattening. 



The following figures, for which I am indebted to the kindness of M. 

 Senn^-Desjardins, show the importance of this trade at Marennes. 



Year 1880-'81. 



The number of oysters imported into Marennes, was 190,000,000, of 

 which 130,000,000 were introduced into viviers and depots, nml 60,000,000 

 were introduced into cJaires. 



Of the 130,000,000, there were 40,000,000 Portuguese, and 90,000,000 

 French oysters. 



Year 1880-'81. 



Oysters exported from Marennes, 151,000,000. Of this number 54,- 

 000,000 Portuguese, and 47,000,000 French, went from the viviers and 

 ddjySts; 50,000,000 were produced from claires. Marennes has sent out 

 this year 151,000,000 oysters, representing a value of 5,900,000 francs. 

 I should point out that, for the reasons already stated, these figures 

 should be raised rather than lowered. 



Marennes, then, it will be seen, in addition to the oysters reared in 

 the daires, carries on an important trade in oysters. Of the 190,000,000 

 imported in 1880-'81, 00,000,000 only went into the da-ires. 



