Conditions Governing Oyster Growth 101 



planting, the number of oysters is not increased, but only 

 those are used that have been produced under natural and 

 unmodified conditions. 



The term oyster culture, on the other hand, may con- 

 veniently be applied to that process that increases the 

 number of oysters by artificial means, as when artificial 

 collectors are employed to capture the young that would 

 perish if nature were not thus aided. 



In some cases oyster culture has become diversified, a 

 division of labor being effected, in which certain individu- 

 als devote their entire time and energy to increasing the 

 number of oysters by means of artificial collectors, while 

 others complete the process by caring for them during 

 their growth. 



Usually a barren bottom is selected for planting, as the 

 laws of most states reserve the natural beds for seed. 

 When this has been cleared, and if necessary, made firm 

 by the deposition of shells or sand and gravel, small 

 seed oysters are spread evenly over its surface. These 

 are allowed to remain until they have attained a market- 

 able size, when they are gathered and sold. This method 

 is carried on extensively, and often gives large returns for 

 the money and labor invested. 



Seed oysters vary greatly in size. Sometimes the al- 

 most microscopic young, newly attached to the shells of 

 adults or to pebbles, are employed. In other cases, oysters 

 two or three inches in length are planted. The usual size 

 of seed oysters is perhaps about that of a silver half- 

 dollar. 



There are some evident advantages in planting large 

 seed oysters. The first is that they need to grow for a 

 relatively short time. More important still, they seldom 

 need to be disturbed until they are ready for market. 



