CHAPTER VIII. 



THE NATURAL AND ECONOMIC HISTORY OF 

 THE OYSTER 



Proper Time for Oyster-Fishing to Begin Description of the Oyster Contro- 

 versies about its Natural Histor}'- Spatting of the Oyster Growth of the 

 Oyster Quantity of Spawn Emitted by the Oyster Social History of 

 the Oyster Great Men who were Fond of Oysters Oyster- Breeding in 

 France Lake Fusaro Beefs Discovery of Artificial Culture Oyster- 

 Farming in the Bay of Biscay The Celebrated Green Oysters Marennes 

 Dr. Kemmerer's Plan Lessons to be gleaned from the French Piscicul- 

 turists How to Manage an Oyster-Farm Whitstable Cultivation of 

 Natives The Colne Oyster-TradeScottish Oysters The Pandores 

 Extent of Oyster-Ground in the Firth of Forth Dredging Extent of 

 American Oyster-Beds. 



AUGUST is a month that has red-letter days for those who 

 delight in the luxuries of eating. Do we not in that 

 month begin the carnival of "St. Grouse?" and do we not 

 hear in the bye-streets of London the pleasant sounds of 

 " Please to remember the Grotto ? " It is the month that ushers 

 in the ever-welcome oyster. In nearly every small street 

 and alley early in August may be heard resounding the words 

 "Only once a year!" and groups of merry children building 

 their grottoes remind us that the long days are passing, that 

 autumn is at hand, and that in a few brief months the Christ- 

 mas barrel of oysters will be travelling " inland " on the 

 rapid railway, passing in its course the friendly and welcome 

 exchange hamper of country produce, containing the choice 



