31 



productiveness is enfeebled or destroyed. Amongst the 

 oystermen tliere seems to be a widespread indifference 

 in regard to this matter, but it is to be hoped that these 

 persons, who, more than any other class, are directly 

 interested in the maintenance of the productiveness of 

 the beds, will see the evils of excessive or indiscriminate 

 dredging before it is too late to repair the damage done 

 thereby. 



The following propositions which have been laid down 

 by Prof. Mobius, are as applicable to the conservation of 

 our own species as to that of Europe : — 



"An oyster bank will yield permanently the greatest 

 profit if it possesses such a stock of full grown oysters as 

 will be sufficient to maintain the fecundity of the bank 

 in accordance with its bioconotic conditions. 



"When the natural conditions will admit of it, the 

 yielding capacity of an oyster bed may be increased by 

 improving and enlarging the ground for the reception of 

 the young brood. 



"The natural banks should be improved by removing 

 the weeds and plants with dredges and properly con- 

 structed harrows, and by scattering the shells of oysters 

 and other mollusks over the bottom. 



"When circumstances will permit, all the animals 

 which are taken in the dredge, and which kill the oys- 

 ters or use up their food, should be destroyed. 



"It would be much more judicious and much better for 

 consumers, if the 'close time' could be extended until 

 the 15th of September or the 1st of October, so as to 

 allow the oysters some time after the expulsion of the 

 contents of the generative organs to become fat before 

 being brought to the table. 



"If it is desired that the oyster banks should remain 

 of general advantage to the public and a. permanent source 

 of profit to the inhabitants of the coast, the number of 

 oysters taken from the beds yearly must not depend ujjon 

 the demands of the consumer or be governed by high 



