IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND FRANCE. 53 



2. That the Inspectors of Irish fisheries should have power, 

 whenever they determine to reserve a bank or any portion thereof 

 from public dredging for the purpose of recovery, to make such 

 arrangements as may seem desirable for keeping the restricted 

 part free from weeds and vermin. 



3. That there should be procurable at each coastguard station, 

 at a small cost, general information as to oyster culture, and simple 

 instructions as to the best modes of proceeding. 



4. That the Inspectors be empowered to adopt such other 

 means as they may deem necessary to afford information and in- 

 struction to those requiring it with respect to oyster culture. 



5. That having unsizable oysters in possession in places where 

 it is prohibited by any by-law to take oysters from any public 

 beds under a certain size shall be prima facie evidence that such 

 oysters were taken in places so prohibited ; such regulation not 

 to apply to private oyster grounds. 



6. That facilities be afforded to the coast population to acquire 

 the use of small portions of foreshore, or sea bottom, for oyster 

 cultivation, and to obtain loans on satisfactory security for the pre- 

 paration of same, and for the purchase of oysters, collectors, &c. 



7. That landed proprietors desirous of cultivating oysters on the 

 shores adjoining their lands, be empowered to avail themselves of 

 the provisions of the Irish Land Improvement Acts, for the pur- 

 pose of oyster cultivation. 



Conclusion. 



In conclusion we beg to state that, in addition to the personal 

 investigation we made into the condition of the natural and artifi- 

 cial oyster fisheries of the United Kingdom and France, we carried 

 out the direction we received as to consulting the best authorities 

 on the subject. 



Besides perusing everything procurable that has been written 

 on the question, we had also personal conferences with nearly all 

 the best authorities, and correspondence with others whom we did 

 not find it practicable to meet. 



Although we do not concur in the opinion put forward by some 

 as to the extraordinary profits to be made from oyster cultivation, 

 still we believe, if judiciously undertaken, and prudently and per- 

 severingly carried out, that it is profitable and that there is very 

 much to encourage enterprises of the kind. 



Ireland undoubtedly possesses many advantages for this industry 

 especially as regards foreshore cultivation, the fattening process 

 at least being attended with little risk, and the results being often 

 most remunerative. 



When it is recollected that the consumption of oysters in Eng- 

 land is said to reach in value over four millions of pounds sterling, 

 with a largely increasing demand at even the present high prices, 

 it can be understood what great room there is for the disposal of 

 much more than the scarcely fifty thousand pounds worth produced 

 on the Irish coast. 



