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tempt to rear great numbers through these stages in con- 

 fined areas would probably prove unsuccessful, as the 

 young at this time require a great amount of pure sea 

 water and peculiar food, found only where minute, free- 

 swimming animals congregate. 



Alter they become a few inches long, the growth of 

 lobsters is slow. They increase in size only at the 

 times ot shedding the shell, which probably takes place 

 only once a year for those of ordinary size, and the increase 

 at each of these changes is moderate, as may be seen by 

 comparing the size of the cast shell with the lobster a few 

 days after leaving it, although the increase of weight is 

 considerable. In lobsters of very large size the shell is 

 not always changed, even as often as once a year. 



How early they begin to breed is somewhat uncertain. 

 Females not more than half a pound in weight are, how 

 ever, found carrying eggs, but in these small females the 

 eggs are comparatively few in number. The average 

 weight of lobsters sold in New York market is about two 

 pounds. 



The lobster can be propagated easily, yet there are al- 

 ways more or less difficulties to overcome. One of the 

 principal is to find a place suitable to build a pond, and 

 then to build it so that the young cannot get away. The 

 pond should be built in some place where the salt water 

 sets in from the ocean, and should be screened in such a 

 way that the water can flow in and out with the rise and 

 fall of the tide. It should be fenced on the seaward side, 

 and possibly all around, so as to prevent the lobster from 

 going over the land to the ocean. In June, put in a few 

 thousand lobsters, and we have no doubt there will be a 

 most abundant return. Lobsters carry their spawn under 

 their tails until they hatch, and the young are carried in 



