40 APPENDIX. 



that it is necessary for the police to examine the beds so 

 minutely as is recommended. There is no doubt, that if the 

 fisheries were altogether shut, as recommended by Mons. 

 Coste, until February, the quantity of spat destroyed would 

 be less ; but if the bottom of the bed be composed of old 

 shells and gravel, the number of spat on the former will be 

 found many times to outnumber those on the live shells. It 

 would, I believe, answer to collect old shells from the fish- 

 mongers, after the fish had been extracted, for the purpose of 

 returning them to the beds, to make a foundation both for 

 old and young oysters to rest upon. This proposal would so 

 much reduce the time for oyster-fishing beyond that which is 

 in use at present, that there would be only three months left 

 for fishing, so that it would scarcely be worth while for 

 persons to follow the oyster- trade at all, although the produce 

 might be the same, or even greater, which it probably would 

 be, than at present. This proposal of Mons. Coste would 

 also have a very great effect upon the market, by forcing into 

 it the same quantity during three months that previously 

 supplied it for eight ; thus inevitably lowering the price, to 

 the loss of the fishermen and proprietors. Mons. Coste 

 indeed states that the oysters for market ought to remain on 

 the feeding-grounds before they are fit for market; but if 

 they are dredged previously to February, to supply the 

 feeding-grounds, 1 cannot think that much advantage will 

 accrue. 



FINIS. 



PRINTED BY TAYLOR AND FRANCIS, 

 RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET. 



