250 THE COLNE FISHING COMPANY. 



fall upon their own grounds ; and then the company profit 

 largely, as they are enabled to save purchases of brood to 

 the extent of what has fallen. But this falling of the 

 spat is, to a great degree, accidental. No rule can be 

 laid down whether the oysters will spawn in any particu- 

 lar year, or where the spawn may be carried. Of late, 

 however, the artificial contrivances in use in France and 

 elsewhere for saving the spawn have been introduced 

 at Whitstable, and it seems probable that oyster- 

 cultivation will be conducted there on the most approved 

 principles. 



The system of management adopted by the Thames 

 companies is very simple. Take, for example, the Colne 

 Fishery Company. This is superintended by a jury of 

 twelve, appointed by a functionary called the water- 

 bailiff; whose appointment, by the way, is in the hands 

 of the corporation of Colchester. At the beginning of 

 the season the jurors hold a meeting, take stock of the 

 oysters in hand, and then agree upon the prices at which 

 sales may be made during the season. They also settle 

 the price to be paid to the dredgermen for lifting them, 

 which is so much per wash the name of a local measure. 

 The company's foreman apportions to the dredgers their 

 daily stint; which, of course, varies with the demand, and 

 ranges from three to twelve wash. The time occupied in 

 the work seldom exceeds a couple of hours, and the 

 remainder of the day is at the man's own disposal. 

 Further, many of these dredgers are good divers, and 

 thus they secure double employment. The wages of the 

 professional dredgers are very good; from three to six 

 shillings per wash. They pay one-fourth of what they 

 earn for their boat, and divide the rest among the crew. 



