34 REPORT ON OYSTER CULTURE 



The locality of this pond is celebrated for its fattening properties, 

 but hitherto hardly any production has taken place. 



At Kilrush, in a small natural pond which cannot be regarded 

 as coming within the enclosure system, Colonel Yandeleur has 

 attempted breeding oysters without success, probably arising from 

 the scour of the receding tide washing away the spat before it can 

 adhere to the collectors. 



Mr. Reeves' experiments in foreshore cultivation so far as pro- 

 duction is concerned have been partially successful, a considerable 

 quantity of spat from the natural beds in the river having attached 

 to stone slabs placed horizontally for the purpose. 



The same success has attended the experiments of Mr. John 

 Smith on the Midleton River near Queenstown. The spat here, 

 as at Mr. Reeves's, coming in from oysters in the river. 



These are the only two instances of foreshore cultivation met 

 with in Ireland. 



Diminished as the supply of oysters is in Ireland, and suffering 

 as this branch of fisheries is from exhaustion, there can be no doubt 

 that the banks, both as regards stock and other conditions, are 

 for the most part in a more satisfactory condition than those of the 

 other portions of the kingdom or of France. 



This comparatively favourable state is unquestionably due to 

 the salutary regulations framed and enforced by the Board of 

 Works whilst the Fisheries were under the charge of that depart- 

 ment, the observance of close time, and the efficient service 

 rendered by the coast-guard in carrying out these regulations. 

 Great credit is due to the late Inspecting Commissioner of Fisheries, 

 Mr. James Redmond Barry, for his constant and useful efforts to 

 promote this as well as other branches of the fisheries; mainly to his 

 representations and exertions is due the preservation of the oyster 

 banks on the S.E. coast from being included in the conditions of 

 the late Convention with France which would probably have 

 proved most disastrous to the Irish oyster fisheries. Some 

 additions to the present laws as respects the preservation and 

 encouragement of the culture of oysters is required. (For an 

 Epitome of these laws, compiled by Mr. Brady, Inspector of 

 Irish Fisheries, see Appendix G.) 



No circumstance is to be more regretted or calls more for in- 

 terference in the interest of the seaboard population than the 

 enormous quantity of small oysters of from one to two years old 

 that are dredged and sold for exportation at prices as low as one 

 shilling per hundred. 



These, if kept and laid in the numerous places which might be 

 selected for growing and fattening round the coast, would in three 

 or four years, without trouble, and at hardly any cost, realize five 

 or six times the amount obtained for them in an immature state. 



The value of the oysters consumed in England annually is esti- 

 mated at £4,000,000 sterling, and there is no doubt but that 

 double that quantity would find ready consumption if obtainable.* 



* " Suffice it to say, that such is the importance of this branch of commerce, 

 that 700,000,000 of oysters are annually consumed in London alone, and quite 

 as many, if not more, in the provinces. Now, supposing we value them at six- 



