12 FIFTH REPORT OF SHELL FISH COMMISSIONERS 
scattered through the Sound warrants the belief that, if the 
weather proves favorable, there will be an abundant supply of 
spawn. ‘The spawning period begins in July and ends in Sep- 
tember. It is earliest in shallow waters and latest in the deep 
waters, the time varying according to the temperature of the 
water and the condition of the atmosphere. Storms and cold 
weather retard the operation, while warm, quiet weather expedites 
it. Where they are so many and extensive beds widely scattered 
in different depths of water there must be spawn emitted from 
time to time throughout the whole period of spawning. If the 
spat of one week is destroyed by unfavorable conditions of the 
weather, then the spat of some subsequent week may find all the 
conditions favorable for drifting, growing, and setting, and thus 
the crop will be secured. It is fair to presume that the great 
and increasing abundance and variety of beds will henceforth 
afford all the spat that will be required. 
GENERAL REMARKS. 
The rapid development of the oyster industry is evidenced by 
the increase in the number of those engaged in the business 
during the past seven months—an increase of ten per cent. It 
is also shown in the continual extension of area of grounds de- 
voted to cultivation. This prosperity is also strikingly manifested 
in the number of oyster steamers recently built. 
Last year there were forty steamers in the oyster fleet. This 
year there were forty-nine as appears from the following table: 
