6o 



thirty square miles, on which some of the spat of oysters 

 fall, if they escape the beds. 



Shifting Oysters from boat to boat. 



All the true native oysters sold in England, with the 

 exception of those obtained from the Essex coast, are 

 stained from these flats, and all others are known as 

 'foreigners." 



Foreign Brood 

 Oysters. 



Immense quantities of oyster brood 

 are brought from France and else- 

 where, to fatten on the Whitstable 

 beds, where the various kinds are carefully kept separate. 

 The importation of foreigners, however, is no new thing, 

 for the Kentish Gazette of 1769 (March 18 to March 22) 

 contains the following advertisement : " This is to acquaint 

 all Persons that the Oyster-men's Company of Whitstable 

 have agreed to lay out upon West Country Oysters the 



