THE MILK POND OYSTEKS. 57 



are smaller, but always excellent. They are found on 

 every shore, attached to rocks and the roots of trees. 

 They remain there quite immoveable, fixed to each 

 other and forming those oyster-banks where the 

 dredgers come to fish for them to form parks, where 

 they are fed upon ground Indian corn, bran and 

 vegetables, which give them that delicious flavour 

 which is so highly appreciated. These reservoirs of 

 salt-water are usually from three to four feet deep, 

 and communicate with the sea by a reservoir whereby 

 the water can flow in and out. 



All along the coasts of North America the oyster 

 fishery is closed during the months of May, June, 

 July and August. The popular prejudice (and a 

 very salutar}?- one it is in its results) is that, when 

 there is no E in the name of the month, oysters are 

 unwholesome. The fact is that oysters are edible at 

 all seasons, but during these four months, the stomach 

 of the creature assumes a whitish colour, because 

 the ovary is full. It is the season for spawning or 

 spatting. Thus law and popular prejudice are for- 

 tunately in accordance. 



The fishing for oysters is managed with the drag, 

 a sort of bent iron shovel, furnished with a bag or 

 pocket made of leather or rushes, or a net made of 

 strong cord ; and this is firmly fastened to the stern 

 of the boat, which sails on slowly before the wind, 

 drawing the drag after it, which scrapes up the 

 oysters like a rake, and collects them into the bag or 



