298 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



Besides these natural beds, the coast abounds in suitable places in which the 

 mollusk can be transplanted from the seed bed and under proper care developed into 

 an oyster which, for the delicacy of its flavor, can not be excelled the world over. 

 East of the Mississippi River these natural beds are still numerous, and transplanting 

 is carried on to but a limited extent. Not only do these beds supply the wants of the 

 people of the lower coast, but small quantities are shipped to the New Orleans 

 market, and poachers, or "pirates," so called, from Mississipipi carry away annually 

 hundreds of schooner loads of the shellfish. A fleet of lumber schooners, said to be 

 capable of carrying from 1,000 to 2,000 barrels and supplied with shallops and dredges, 

 effectually comb the beds of St. Bernard Parish. In addition to those thus gathered 

 large numbers are crushed and broken by the dredges, while others are buried in the 

 niud. which covers and smothers them. These oysters thus removed are not culled on 

 the banks, but are carried and sold in the rough, just as they come from the water, to 

 the canneries on the Mississippi Sound for prices varying from 30 to GO cents per 

 market barrel. 



The flavor of these bivalves here taken, although of excellent quality compared 

 with those of the Atlantic States, is by no means equal to those taken from the choice 

 planting-grounds across the Mississippi, going west from the great river. Bayou Cook, 

 Grand Bayou, Bayou Lachuto, Tiinbalier Bay, Last Island, Barataria Bay, Wine Island 

 Lake, Vermilion Bay, and the Calcasieu grounds furnish the best, those of Bayou Cook 

 having the highest reputation in the markets of Louisiana and the neighboring States 

 and bringing a correspondingly higher price. 



The manner of cultivation, if it can be dignified by that name, and the methods 

 of fishing and forwarding to market are of the most primitive character, and the 

 capabilities of production have as yet been hardly demonstrated. The fishermen are 

 mostly uneducated Austrians from the Slavonic provinces, commonly known as 

 "Tackoes." Small colonies of them " squat" on any available shore, generally along 

 some stream, bay, or lake emptying into the Gulf, regardless of the ownership of the 

 laud, erect their huts, and with the capital of a pair of oyster-tongs, a skiff or two, and 

 a small stock of rough provisions, usually advanced by the dealers in the city, embark 

 in the trade of oyster fishing. Few of them own luggers or engage in the business of 

 forwarding their oysters to market. From time to time they recruit their helpers 

 from the freshly arrived of their countrymen, who, knowing neither the language nor 

 the country, go to "learn the trade" at nominal wages as a sort of apprenticeship, 

 receiving board and lodging, such as it is, as part compensation for their labor. The 

 inaMer fisherman or "captain," as he is termed, thus equipped and assisted, starts out 

 in the planting season and transports from the natural bed skiff loads of the shellfish, 

 which he deposits in the brackish bayou or lake which he has selected near his cabin, 

 marks his beds of "plants" with stakes to designate his ownership, and keeps " \\alch 

 and ward" over his possessions until his crop is ready to ship to market. Others do not 

 plant at all, but only fish the natural oysters from the bed and sell to "luggermen." 



The planted oysters transferred from the natural beds, where the sea water is very 

 salt, soon feel the beneficial effect of their changed condition. The fresh-water streams, 

 draining the rich alluvial highlands, bring down in profusion infusoria and other low 

 forms of vegetable and animal life on which the young oysters thrive. They com- 

 mence immediately to fatten and alter the shape of their shells gradually from the 

 lank and slim form somewhat similar to an irregular isosceles triangle, broad at the 



