Contents ix 



Origin of the belief that artificial fertilization might 

 simplify oyster culture Persistence of this hope to the 

 present time Liberated embryos gathered on collectors 

 in France Experiments in America Oyster and clam 

 culture have nothing to gain from artificial fertilization 

 of the egg 109 



CHAPTER VIII 

 OYSTER CULTURE IN AMERICA 



True oyster culture not extensively practised Advantages 

 from the capture of seed on collectors Collectors em- 

 ployed in America When collectors or " cultch " should 

 be spread Slime Care of growing oysters Labor 

 necessary for success Varying methods in different 

 fields Nature of the labor of the northern culturist . 118 



CHAPTER IX 



IMPLEMENTS AND THEIR USES BOATS 



THE PREPARATION OF OYSTERS 



FOR MARKET 



Tongs and their uses Nippers Patent tongs The use of 

 dredges Opposition to the use of the dredge Form and 

 sizes of dredges Hand and steam windlasses for draw- 

 ing dredges Boats Tonging boats Schooner rigged 

 vessels The lugger Steam vessels The " Early Bird" 

 Increase in the number of steam vessels A demonstra- 

 tion of the superiority of steam power Preparing oysters 

 for market Cleaning and culling The freshening of 

 oysters Bad features of the practice The matter of 

 taste and the flavor of oysters" Shucking "Washing 

 the " meats "Containers, tin cans, barrels, pails, bottles 

 Shipping Steamed oysters 129 



CHAPTER X 



NATURAL ENEMIES OF THE AMERICAN 

 OYSTER 



The starfish in the north Atlantic First recognized as a 

 dangerous oyster enemy in 1882 Structure Its migra- 

 tions Its food How the starfish opens an oyster or 

 clam Removal of starfish from oyster beds by means of 

 tangles The oyster drill Formerly not numerous The 

 drumfish Sheepshead Rays and skates Crabs The 

 oyster crab Mussels The boring sponge The boring 

 clam Sea-weeds and hydroids Oyster diseases . . . 147 



