28 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
first half of 1893 the original square bed had been transformed into an 
almost solid oyster bank. In 1892 the six new frames were not in place 
until later in the season and the results were consequently not so good, 
but the experiment attracted much attention among the oyster-growers 
of the neighborhood. 
The satisfactory outcome of Professor RKyder’s experiments induced 
the legislature of New Jersey to appropriate $5,000 annually for three 
years to supplement his work upon a practical scale. In discussing 
the manner in which this sum could best be expended Professor Ryder 
has expressed himself as follows respecting the method which he would 
prefer to see tried: 
If any action is to be taken in the matter, sites should be selected, under intelli- 
gent direction, at different points in the State at once, and work begun to carry out 
the experiments on a large, practical scale. If successful, this investment by the 
State of $5,000 per year will be an absolutely insignificant sum in comparison with 
the resulting development of an industry worth millions of dollars per annum to her 
citizens. 
My plan, based partly upon the experimental results of the past obtained by 
myself and others, is something like the following: First of all, having obtained a 
suitable place where oyster spatting is known to occur naturally and abundantly, 
and where the salinity of the water is about right, or somewhere between 1.014 and 
1.022, according to a standard hydrometer, a site is to be selected for the establish- 
ment of the plant, which should be in complete working condition not later than 
the 25th day of June next. This siteshould be of such a character as will enable the 
construction of an inclosure or pond on a pretty large scale, say half an acre at 
least. It might even be that a pond would have to be excavated near the shore; but 
in any event the plant should be so arranged that, under the given conditions, the 
most economical plans of construction could be followed. This pond should be com- 
pletely shut off from all direct tidal connection with the sea while in use, and lie, 
if possible, in a perfectly accessible position from all sides, somewhat higher than 
sea level, though it should be possible to fill the pond from the sea if necessary. 
The pond, which we will designate A, should represent an area, say, of from 
one-half to 1 acre, with a platform resting upon piles, quite near the surface of the 
water. This platform is formed of galvanized netting, 2-inch mesh, costing 3 cents 
per square yard, and supported on piles and stringers. It will hold a layer of oyster 
shells 3 or 4 inches thick, or 40 bushels to the square rod, or from 800 to 1,600 
bushels of oyster shells, according as the size of such a pond and platform equals 
one-half or 1 acre. This is our nursery for clean oyster shells, clam shells, pots- 
herds, tiles, or anything that young swimming oyster ‘‘fry” will cling to in order to 
grow into the condition of the young oyster, or ‘‘spat,” as it is called. 
There should be another platform, B, of an area of one-fourth acre, covered thickly, 
say, with 100 to 200 bushels of adult spawning oysters, and the whole immersed, say, 6 
inches or 1 foot below extreme low water. This area should also have a ledge of 
heavy planking constructed all round it, so as to prevent the ‘‘fry” of the oyster during 
its floating stage from being wafted away by the tides and lost. Where a natural 
oyster reef exists the platform would not be needed, since such a reef near by would 
amply supply the millions of fry that would be required for our experiments. 
Next there must be a wind engine and tank for pumping the sea water through 
pipes from all parts of the area B, and from near the surface, where the floating or 
swimming “fry” is very abundant. This sea water, charged with its oyster ‘“ fry,” 
is then carried to the far side of the pond A. The water then flows from outlet pipes 
toward escape pipes and back to thesea. In this way, with only slight provisions 
for filtration, and perhaps a tank under the wind engine for allowing the coarsest 
