416 MODE OF WORKING THE FARM. [CHAP. ix. 



After about a year's sojourn on these artificial beds the 

 mussels are fit for the market. Before being ready for sale, 

 they are transplanted to the ~buchots d'avant, which are placed 

 close to the shore to admit of the mussels being easily gathered 

 by the hand when ready for the market. A very perceptible 

 difference in quality is seen in the mussels grown on different 

 parts of the bay those of the upper division possessing the 

 finest flavour, while those of the lower divisions are much 

 inferior, a circumstance caused no doubt by their suffering 

 much more from the influence of the wind. 



The mussel has become, by its abundance and cheapness, 

 the daily food of the poorer classes, and sells well throughout 

 the year. It is, however, only in season from the month of 

 July till the end of January, and it is during that period that 

 the most important operations of the farmer are carried on, 

 and that the great part of the harvest is sent to the market. 

 During the spawning season, which lasts from the end of 

 February to the end of April, they lose their good flavour and 

 become meagre and tough. 



At the foot of the cliffs, along the shores, the louclioleurs 

 dig large holes for the purpose of storing their implements of 

 labour. When a supply of mussels is required for a neigh- 

 bouring market the loucJioleurs bring them in their canoes to 

 the landing-place, whence they are conveyed by the wives to 

 these stores, where they are cleared and packed in hampers 

 and baskets, which are placed upon the backs of horses or in 

 carts, and driven during the night to the place of destination, 

 which is reached in good time for the opening of the market 

 in the morning. About 140 horses and 90 carts are employed 

 for the purpose of thus supplying the neighbouring towns and 

 villages. 



A well-peopled bouclwt usually yields, according to the 

 length of its sides, from 400 to 500 loads of mussels that is at 

 the rate of a load per metre. A load weighs 150 kilogrammes 



