34 HISTORY OF THE OYSTER. 



only for one year ; or if' there are many of the large 

 sort of oyster, let them be taken up in October, when 

 all spawning is over. 



That fence months, from the middle of April to 

 the middle of September, be strictly enforced ; any 

 oysters exposed for sale, or taken during those 

 months, should be confiscated, and a fine imposed 

 upon the person in whose custody they are found, 

 whether the sales take place inland or on the coast ; 

 and that no difference be made between British 

 oysters and those coming from abroad. 



That a license should be granted for the removal of 

 cultch and spat, the quantity being stated, to stock 

 other beds, by some one in authority, the locality to 

 which it is to be removed being also registered ; that 

 these conditions being complied with, the person 

 establishing such new beds should have granted to 

 himself and his successors the sole right of fishing 

 during the proper times, and that penalties should 

 be fixed for transgressing this regulation. 



For feeding-beds the same conditions would apply 

 as to permanent beds, except that the water may be 

 much shallower, just deep enough to prevent frost 

 killing the oysters at low water. Tanks might be 

 established similar to those at Burnham and else- 

 where, which would fill at high water, and having a 

 sluice attached for the purpose of keeping them full, 

 or letting off the water : the oysters in these should 



