CULTIVATION OF OYSTERS BY NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL METHODS. 5 



oysters are exceedingly thin, but, as direct experiment proves, they are 

 capable of being fattened if placed in a favourable locality. 



2. TJie Shells of the Bead Oyster, technically called " Culch" — I look upon 

 the study of the culch and its management as one of the most important 

 things in oyster-culture ; for upon its state, whether abundant or not abun- 

 dant, whether clean or dirty, depends the detaining or the loss of the young 

 oysters after they are emitted from the mother's shell, and also the important 

 question as to whether the public grounds (or commons) should or should not 

 be taken by private companies. 



We start the question with two facts : — 



1. That the oyster will adhere to dead oyster-shells in preference to any 

 other substance, even the shells of the living oyster. 



2. That in order that the spat may adhere, tbe culch must be perfectly 

 clean and free from mud and weed. 



There are but few localities where the shells of the dead oysters have ac- 

 cumulated in sufficient quantity to give the spat a chance of adhering ; it is 

 therefore necessary to collect these shells from elsewhere and throw them 

 down upon localities where the spat is likely to fall. This process is carried 

 out by oyster- culturists on a pretty large scale ; and it seems almost provi- 

 dential that beds of oyster-shells should be found in the neighbourhood of 

 the grounds which are cultivated. Thus, for instance, you will see on the 

 map a place called the " Pan Sand," at the mouth of the Thames. Now, near 

 this spot there is an accumulation of oyster-shells ; and dredging-boats from 

 various localities dredge up these shells and carry them on to places nearer 

 inshore, and throw them again to the bottom of the sea, knowing full well 

 that, if there be spat floating about, and if they be in a proper condition to 

 adhere, these shells will assuredly catch it. How this Pan Sand oyster-bed 

 came into existence I am quite unable to tell you ; but, from the appearance 

 of the oysters themselves, I can assert that the oysters were of great age, 

 that they had lived there many years undisturbed by dredges, and that a con- 

 siderable time has elapsed since they thrived in this locality. 



Hence we learn an important fact, viz. that the spat seems to prefer adher- 

 ing to a shell that is partially decayed, and softened, rather than to a new shell 

 lately placed down. So great is the value of oyster-shells as " culch," that I 

 have often cast a longing eye upon the shells which are carted away in large 

 quantities from the oyster-shops in London and thrown on dust-heaps. They 

 would be of much greater value if thrown on to the bottom of the sea, where 

 they would certainly, if the season were favourable, form a trap for the 

 floating spat. Such, however, is the abundance of old oyster-shells on the 

 Pan Sand, that having, with the officers of the oyster -fishery with which I am 

 connected, considered the idea, we find it would be cheaper to fetch them 

 from the Pan Sand. 



I cannot, however, quit the subject of oyster-shells without lamenting 

 that no use has yet been found for them on land. They are now to lands- 

 men but waste material ; and I cannot help thinking that, if technology were 

 to throw her lamp upon the matter, a use might be found for them. True it 

 is that they make good lime ; but lime can be obtained from other materials 

 at a less expense. The fact, however, of the lime of the oyster-shell being 

 so very good has led my friend Mr. Bartlett, Superintendent of the Zoological 

 Gardens, to give them in a burnt state to poultry and the more valuable 

 breeding pheasants. The birds seem to like it much, and it certainly is be- 

 neficial to laying hens and growing chicks. Another use of oyster-shells I 

 have lately heard of. Mr. Browning, of Paglesham, tells me that the poor 



