[13] CONDITION OF OYSTER CULTURE IN 1875. 897 
shells are then too weak to withstand the attacks of crabs and other 
predaceous animals, the parkers of Arcachon hit upon the plan of plac- 
ing their oysters just detached from the tiles in wooden or osier boxes, 
furnished with hinges and lids, in which they were left until they had 
acquired sufficient size to be deposited in parks or claires without dan- 
ger. These boxes received the significant name of ambulances. M. 
Michelet, a resident of Teste, who took a notable part in oyster-cultural 
improvements, invented an improved system which he called ‘ ambu- 
lances ostréophile” ; it is a stone basin with the bottom of bricks, laid in 
cement, raised upon a strong frame-work of wooden joists, which, in turn, 
rests upon stakes driven into the bottom. A second frame-work placed. 
above the stones is attached to the first by strong iron bolts. On the 
inside, at a height of about 10 centimeters (4 inches) above the bottom, 
are fixed screens of osier or wire cloth, on which the young oysters re- 
pose. The covering is formed of movable pieces of wood or wire cloth, 
or simply of tarred netting having a very close mesh, stretched tightly 
by means of hooks screwed into the upper frame-work. An opening 
through the stone side, on a level with the bottom, serves to empty the 
basin when necessary. The entire structure is surrounded by clay ma- 
sonry which strengthens the walls. 
THE COURSE PURSUED IN CARRYING ON THE OYSTER INDUSTRY AT 
ARCACHON. 
Such are the principal improvements which have transformed the cul- 
tivation of the oyster into a regular and methodical industry. It is by 
the following series of operations that itis carried on. We will take as 
types the processes employed in the basin of Arcachon, because they 
are the most advanced, and because that region is now the principal 
center of oyster-cultural activity. 
Preparation of the ground.—The parks of Arcachon are established 
upon bottoms called crassats, which are uncovered at each low tide. 
These regions are covered by a species of fine grass which gives them 
the appearance of sea meadows, and those having the firmer soil, com- 
posed of clay and shells, are best adapted to the reproduction of oysters. 
The oyster culturist, having taken possession of a portion of crassat as 
*the site of a park, commences by clearing it of the long grass and of alk 
foreign materials which may lie upon it; but he takes care not to pull 
up the short grass, commonly called moussillon, for, although the oyster 
grows more rapidly on bottoms entirely free of all covering, it is less 
fecund there and more exposed during inclement weather. 
Construction of claires, or water parks.—In the highest portion of the 
park, claires or water parks are established. These are of two kinds: 
first, those in which the tiles, still covered with young oysters, are 
placed, and, second, those for the young oysters after they have been 
removed from the tiles. The height of the water in the former should 
S. Mis. 29-——57 
