122 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
since the beginning of the experiments a nearer approach has been 
made to the end in view, namely, the perfecting of a sure means of 
putting poor oysters in a condition of the highest possible perfection 
for market, and it is now believed that the result is almost within 
reach of attainment. ‘The aim has been, from the beginning, to fur- 
nish a method which would have the merit of being purely practical 
from a commercial standpoint, with all of the problems worked out 
which would confront the oyster-grower in applying it to his own 
purposes. During the preceding fiscal year many of the oysters 
introduced into the claire had become very fat, but certain irregu- 
larities were manifested which would have militated against the adop- 
tion of the process by practicalmen. These irregularities appeared to 
arise from the absence of tidal or other currents such as are necessary 
for the aeration of the water and the transport of the food within 
reach of the oyster, and at the beginning of the fiscal year certain 
changes were made in the plant with the objeet of supplying this 
need. A canal was constructed of sheet piling, through which eur- 
rents were induced by the action of a propeller driven by a windmill 
erected for the purpose. To reduce the expense of handling the 
oysters, they were placed in the canal on shallow trays which could 
be raised or lowered by means of a simple type of windlass. 
The construction was finished in the fall, but, certain alterations 
being found necessary, no oysters were introduced into the canal until 
February 15. They were in very poor condition, but on March 34, 
eighteen days later, they were reported fit for shipment. During 
March the results were much better, and two lots which were placed 
in the canal in an entirely unmerchantable condition were excessively 
fat at the end of eight days. Other lots fattened almost as quickly, 
but it was found that during many days the velocity of the wind fell 
below that required to move the propeller, and there was a consequent 
lack of circulation in the claire. It may be necessary to correct this 
by the use of a motor not dependent upon an uncertain power. <A 
peculharity in the flavor of the oysters developed in the course of the 
experiment, but the cause appears to be now understood, and it is 
thought possibie to obviate it during the coming season. 
SPONGE-PLANTING EXPERIMENTS. 
The increasing scarcity of sponges on the Florida coast, due to the 
extensive fishery carried on there, induced the Commission to begin, 
during the present year, a series of experiments in sponge-culture. 
The field is not a new one, several previous experimenters having met 
with a measure of success, but the experiments have never reached 
a stage of practical utility. Sponges may be grown either from ecut- 
tings or from the egg, but the former method is so much more direct 
and under control that it appears to offer the more promising field for 
the establishment of a new industry. 
In January, 1901, Dr. H. F. Moore began experiments at Sugar 
