IvXlGlTT— ON OYSTEIJ CULTURE. ... 49 



Young oysters (111 tlu; tiles, 1.259.248 



do. on the Huitres meres, 2. 680.000 



do. on the shells iind stakes, 1.246.000 



5.185.248 

 The facts that I have adduced prove undeniably that oyster- 

 culture on a favourable soil, and pursued with zeal and perse- 

 verance, is attended with extraordinary success. It remains 

 now but to refer lirietiy to one or two special points that may 

 elucidate further this interesting branch of industry. 



1. The OoUecfors. — 1 have already described the fascines 

 that were lirst employed; but beside these, and the oyster and 

 mussel shells that are used for this purpose, another kind of 

 collector was constructed for the Imperial parks. These col- 

 lectors were formed of eight planks of 2 metres long, 25 centi- 

 metres wide, and sustained 25 centimetres above the soil by 

 uprights with cross-pieces. These planks were covered on their 

 under side with bushes to collect the spat, or with shells fixed on 

 with resin. The tiles are also supported above the soil by cross- 

 pieces of wood. 



2. The ivork of llie cullivators. — There is constant employ- 

 ment on an oyster-park ; and the diversity of the seasons only 

 varies the nature of the labour. It is true that the labour all the 

 year through is not of the same amount and importance. 

 Augmented at the period of sowing (April and May), and chiefly 

 at the harvest time (September and February) , there is a period 

 of comparative rest in the spawning season (June, July and 

 August.) During these months it is the care of the ouvriers to 

 prevent the ground from being disturbed, and to protect the 

 nspat from the enemies that prey upon it. But the principal labour 

 begins in September and is prolonged until May. A general 

 inspection of the whole park is the signal of the arrival of the 

 busy season. The soil is then purged of all useless and injurious 

 matter ; hurtful plants are removed, and the soil is brought to a 

 fit state for cultivation. After the preparatory labour the barren 

 oysters are removed, and the remaining ones in some cases 

 transported to other spots. Each age has its compartment. At 

 about ten months old, the spat are removed from the collectors, 



