CHAP, viii.) FORMING THE FARMS. 355 



the He de Ee accumulated in only six years of the value 

 of upwards of 100,000. 



Much hard work had no doubt to be endured before such 

 a scene of industry could be thoroughly organised. When the 

 great success of Beef's experiments had been proclaimed in the 

 neighbourhood, a little army of about a thousand labourers 



T*'*" 





OYSTER-PARKS. 



carne down from the interior of the country and took posses- 

 sion, along with the native fishermen, of the shores, portions of 

 which were conceded to them by the French Government at 

 a nominal rent of about a franc a week, for the purpose of be- 

 ing cultivated as oyster parks and claires. The most arduous 

 duty of these men consisted in clearing off the mud, which 

 lay on the shore in large quantities, and which is fatal to the 

 oyster in its early stages ; but this had to be done before the 

 shores could be turned to the purpose for which they were 

 wished. After this preliminary business had been accom- 



