184 OYSTER CULTIVATION AT FALMOUTH. 



growth of the oysters when treated in this manner. An 

 examination of the specimens sent with this communication will 

 confirm this statement. I have, however, considered it desirable 

 to place on record the actual diameter of each series of oysters 

 with the dates of removal from the case ; these facts are added 

 to this paper as an appendix. 



It is to be noticed that the last two specimens of oysters 

 removed from the case, although large in size, possess a very 

 thin delicate shell, and this would afford but scanty protection to 

 the mollusk if it were attacked by any decapod crustacean. 



At the present moment, in spite of all my efforts, the pool 

 literally teems with Carcinus mcenas and Portunus arcuatus ; 

 and with a view to guard my delicate bivalves from these 

 crustaceans I have constructed a small enclosure of fine 

 galvanized wire meshing, and have securely fixed it to the 

 bottom of the pool. Here I have put my young oysters for a 

 month, at the end of which they will be replaced in the case for 

 another month. They then will be again transferred to the 

 enclosure for a longer period. In this way they will get 

 gradually accustomed to their new surroundings, and in about 

 four or five months may be left at the bottom of the pool. By 

 adopting this plan the shell in every instance will be increased 

 in thickness, and the young oyster will stand a better chance in 

 " the struggle for existence." 



It is hardly necessary for me to mention that this experiment 

 was undertaken to test whether the climatic conditions of 

 Falmouth were suitable for oyster-culture. I cannot help thinking 

 that these results justify a larger outlay, especially when it is 

 remembered that the summer of 1895 was not a good spatting 

 season. If I had had 50,000 or 100,000 tiles to experiment 

 with, my expenses for labour would not have materially 

 increased, and my results would have been far better. Besides, 

 if the number of tiles were increased, it would be worth while 

 employing a man to watch them when uncovered by the tides. 

 Under the present circumstances, our tiles have been frequently 

 thrown about, broken, and even stolen, during spring tides. 

 This has forced me to make frequent visits to St. Just creek 

 during the early part of the year, to collect the tiles and again 

 place them in order. 



