990 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [48] 
Since it takes three years to raise an oyster, and since, during the 
growing and fattening period, about one square yard is required for a 
hundred individuals, it follows that it would require about 74 acres of 
bottom to raise and fatten one million young oysters. This is the num- 
ber theoretically, but practically some portions of the concessions are 
found to be much more favorable than others, and some portions are 
even unsuitable for raising and fattening. Taking this into account, 
and,adding the space lost in enirance ways, &c., we must double the 
area, and call it fifteen acres. In the 100 acres set aside for breeding 
purposes, what does the number of young produced a year amount to? 
It is difficult to answer this question, and the methods of enumeration 
vary. Some persons count the tiles, and thus obtain a mean of the 
number; others try to count the oysters actually produced; the latter 
approach nearest to the truth. 
Deducting for losses, the production really varies from two hundred 
to a thousand oysters, to a square yard of the area of a breeding park. 
In some parks there is a square yard of collecting surface to a square 
yard of the park; others have only a foot or a foot and a half. 
Breeding, therefore, along our coast, varies every year in the produe- 
tion of from eighty millions to four hundred millions of oysters, but we 
believe it is not prudent to accept any figure higher than eighty millions. 
Dredged oysters are not included in this sum. 
If we accept the figure of fifteem acres of raising and fattening parks, 
for the annual production of a million oysters, it results that a surface 
of 1,200 acres is required to raise wha. is produced; the figures given 
above show that there are only about 750. 
Consequently, if the production continues to increase, and if the prac- 
tice of raising remains ata stand-still, the supply exceeding the demand, 
prices will be lowered, speculation will interfere, and we shall arrive at 
& Crisis. 
Do not accuse us of pessimism. The industry of canning sardines is 
now passing through an unfortunate phase, on account of an excess of 
production. It is asked, What will be the effect upon the maritime 
inscription, if this fishery is given up, if our coasts become deserted? 
What is there to offset this result?) The future does not look bright. 
It is to be hoped that no such crisis is in store for the industry with 
which we are concerned, for oyster culture could not oppose it; once 
fallen, it would be difficult to raise it; then it would be useless to court 
inquiry, to make scrupulous examinations, and to ask oyster culturists 
what ought to have been done. , Now is the time to attend to the needs 
of oyster culture in Morbihan; the way must be prepared immediately, 
and sufficient space accorded this industry to extend its labors. What 
is necessary to attain this result? Attend to the raising and fattening, 
which means, that a great deal more space is required. 
For the actual production of 80 millions of oysters, 1,200 acres in parks 
are required; for the future production of two hundred millions, we 
