PRESENT CONDITION OF THK PEARL BANKS. 45 



February next shows the position of matters to be much the same as at present, 



viz. : 



In 1905 (a.) 3,500,000 oysters on the South-west Cheval, 



(b.) 21,000,000 South Modragam, 



(c.) 4,700,000 North Modragam, 



(d.) 13,750,000 Mid-east and South-central ChevaL 



Total . . 42,950,000 oysters, 



leaving for 1906 and 1907 the unmixed oysters now aged between 2f and 3 years 

 upon the South and South-east Cheval. 



The 40,000,000 oysters on the South Cheval are, with the exception ot the small 

 patch of 5^-year-olds on the South-west Cheval, the richest in pearls at the present 

 moment, and it might be thought that Mr. HORNELL was assuming a grave responsi- 

 bility in advising the postponement for a whole year of a fishery upon this bank. 

 It must be remembered, however, that the section of the Cheval in question is very 

 reliable, and has scarcely ever disappointed the hopes of the authorities. There are 

 also the following special reasons for the course recommended : 



(a.) The Modragam oysters are unhealthy and liable to die off in great numbers 

 within the next 12 months. 



(b.) The South-west Cheval oysters, being nearly 6 years old, have all but reached 

 the span of oyster existence, and, though as yet fairly healthy, cannot be expected to 

 survive to 1906, when they would be nearly 7 years of age. 



(c.) The oysters on the Mid-east and South-central Cheval are so densely covered 

 with very young oysters, a few months old, that, judging from the results of similar 

 competition seen repeatedly elsewhere during the last 3 years, the inevitable 

 consequence will be that in a year's time, or even less, the growth of such enormous 

 numbers of young will smother and kill off so large a proportion of the old that 

 the bed will cease to be one of mature or fishable oysters. Fishing on this bed 

 will, therefore, only be possible if carried out within the next 3 or 4 months. 

 If fished within this time the bulk of the young oysters could be returned to the sea, 

 and the bank will then be one of young oysters holding out good prospects of a fishery 

 in 1908 or 1909. 



The above are arguments in favour of fishing certain banks first. Those against 

 immediate fishing on the South Cheval and the South-east Cheval are : 



The oysters on these two beds are at present in a healthier condition than 

 those on any of the others ; their growth is vigorous and they are not overcrowded 

 with young oysters. The oysters are clean and wholesome in appearance, food is 

 plentiful, and, so far as we know, no harmful agencies are present in a marked degree. 

 These oysters offer every prospect of being able to survive till 1906 which cannot be 

 said of any other bed of mature individuals now known. 



