SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION. 



21 



FlG. 2. Oyster floats in sheltered artificially constructed inlets from the bay. The water of the sea does 

 not have the same cleansing action on coves of this kind as where action of the waves and currents is 

 unobstructed. 



ing them for varying periods of time in water of a questionable 

 character before marketing. Fortunately this custom is being dis- 

 couraged or prohibited in some localities. Generally speaking, how- 

 ever, these floats are located for convenience rather than safety. 

 They are constructed with slatted bottoms having an area of about 

 20 by 40 feet, the sides being 1J feet in depth, and are usually found 

 anchored near the oyster establishment, where water is of a brackish 

 or moderately fresh character, and where the chances of sewage 

 pollution are greater than in the places where the oysters normally 

 grow to maturity. 



FIG. 3. An abandoned oyster float. 



