18 REPORT ON OYSTER CULTURE 



expects to profit at the rate of 20,000 francs per year. On the 

 same river there are five other large proprietors ; and seventy poor 

 peasants who have received assistance from the Government, 

 have also commenced operations. 



All these rivers have a bottom of clay similar to that of the 

 Essex rivers, and other localities where oysters are most produc- 

 tive. — (See Analysis in Appendix H.) 



At the pare du Foret, three leagues from Concarneau, the 

 Government layings have proved successful. 



In proceeding to notice the Government enterprises — at St. 

 Brieux and Arcachon — it will be desirable as well as interesting 

 to state the circumstances under which the Imperial Government 

 undertook oyster culture at those places. 



In 1858, owing to the great scarcity of oysters which had pre- 

 vailed for some time, M. Coste, a most distinguished member of 

 the Institute of France, who had for some years devoted himself 

 to the study and promotion of pisciculture, turned his attention, 

 with most important results, to the promotion of oyster cultivation. 

 By command of the Emperor he entered into an inquiry on the 

 subject, visited what may be called the parent source of oyster 

 culture — Lake Fusaro, in Italy, and commenced operations in 

 France. 



The result of his researches and efforts is to be found in his 

 justly celebrated work addressed to the Emperor, which should 

 be read by all who desire to be conversant with the subject. 



It is much to be regretted that but a very brief notice of what 

 that eminent man accomplished can be given. 



One of his first undertakings was carried out at St. Brieux. 

 This consisted of placing parent oysters at certain distances on 

 the bottom of the bay, over an area of forty miles, and fascines 

 or bundles of twigs were sunk attached to large stones. The 

 result exceeded all expectation, as many as 30,000 oysters being 

 in some instances attached to the fascines — nearly all were plenti- 

 fully covered. 



Fig. 10. 



Fascine at St. Brieux (with the spat attached). 



