ex 



and the inflow of fresh water from the drainage of the 

 land adjacent, by providing embankments, flood-gates, 

 and waste-ways ; bnt the unexpected diversion of a large 

 portion of the appropriation prevented my carrying into 

 effect these plans, so important for an exhaustive study 

 of the subject. 



In order to enable Prof. Ryder to carry on his experi- 

 ments in a thorough and systematic manner, it was 

 essential that a limited body of water should be isolated 

 from the creek and the water be under complete control. 

 It was imx3ortant, also, that means should be provided 

 that the enemies of the young oyster, as far as practica- 

 ble, should be excluded. 



Crude and imperfect as were the means available, Prof. 

 Ryder pursued the line of investigations with important 

 results, although he exx3erienced the same diificulty in 

 kee]3ing the young oyster as did Dr. Brooks. 



He was enabled during his stay at St. Jerome's to de- 

 termine with some accuracy the rate of growth of the 

 ^'spaf and to make very important researches as to the 

 food and manner of fattening the oyster. 



Prof. Pyder' s report, which is full of interest, will be 

 found in the appendix, and its careful joerusal is earnest- 

 ly recommended, as his cautious utterances should guide 

 us to the future solution of this important question. 



As soon as it can be done without detriment to the 

 other important branches of fish culture, I trust that, 

 with the additional light which has been shed upon this 

 subject, I shall be able to provide Prof. Hyder with 

 proper apparatus for the prosecution of these important 

 investigations, for I am quite satisfied that as soon as we 

 are able to artificially produce the oyster and protect the 

 young until it finally attaches itself to some stationary 

 object, we will have certain means of multiplying this 

 bivalve to an unlimited extent and of furnishing it for 

 planting purposes at less cost than can now be done by 

 the dredging process. We will also be able with cer- 



