21 
Important experiments have been prosecuted, during the past sum- 
mer, in artificial propagation of oysters, but with little success be- 
yond what was reported last year. Dr. William K. Brooks, of Johns 
Hopkins University, of Baltimore, Md., and Lieut. Francis Wins- 
low, U. S. N., have given special attention to the subject, under the 
patronage of the United States Fish Commission. ‘There seems to 
be little or no difficulty in hatching oysters artificially in enormous 
quantities; but no plan has yet been devised whereby they may be 
nurtured through their swimming or drifting period. They die be- 
fore the power of attaching themselves to permanent objects is devel- 
oped. Lieut. Winslow, during the past summer, experimented upon 
the native spawners of the Sound. Selecting the spawn from a well- 
developed female oyster, he separated them into minute portions and 
mixed them with the spermatazoa of the male, in brackish water, in 
a glass jar. In a few hours the embryonic oyster appeared. ‘The 
time required for development varied, according to circumstances, 
from twenty-four hours to six days. Lieut. Winslow found that car- 
bonate of lime expedites the process. Many died during this period. 
Those that survived were placed in a tin can, lowered into the deep 
water, and left upon the bottom to distribute themselves over the 
catch. About ten million young oysters were thus planted on 
grounds in the Sound belonging to Mr. H. C. Rowe. The result 
cannot be satisfactorily ascertained. Mr. Rowe thinks that there isa 
good set in the neighborhood of the spot where the young oysters 
were deposited, but he is uncertain whether it is the result of Lieut. 
Winslow’s labors or not. ‘The experiment will be repeated the com- 
ing summer in various places, and in such ways that its results will 
be accurately ascertained. If this plan is successful one of the chief 
risks of the business will be avoided. The catching of a set is what 
the oyster grower looks for with the deepest solicitude, and too often 
with bitter disappointment. Notwithstanding all his care and prepa- 
ration, the spat in the most mysterious and unaccountable way will 
pass over his bed to fasten on his neighbor’s. This uncertainty is 
one of the great disadvantages of the business. If science can meet 
the difficulty and supply the oyster growers with artificially prepared 
seed that will set on his shells, it will be a triumph that will revolu- 
tionize the oyster industry and give it an impetus and development 
heretofore deemed impossible. 
Since writing the above the Bulletin of the United States Fish Com- 
mission for October, 1882, has been received; and in it is published 
a letter from Mr. J. A. Leonard, of the U. S. Consulate, Leith, giving 
