180 APPENDIX TO REPORT ON OYSTER CULTURE 



figures. It is, however, possible for me to show the great traits of the 

 position of the beds of Arcachon at this moment ; this rapid sketch will 

 suffice, sir, to make you appreciate the actual state and the brilliant 

 future that will repay the intelligent work of the parkers. 



On the 6th April I took the command of the " Sylphe." My prede- 

 cessor, M. Le Commandant Marchand, explained to me the manner of 

 cultivating the parks, trials attempted, sudden disasters, &c. He showed 

 me the Imperial Parks, the ponds in process of construction, &c. 



From the first moment I understood the importance of this culture I 

 was astounded at the greatness of the idea, at its happy application, and 

 from that day I vowed to develop it, and to spread it. It is under your 

 high direction, sir, that I have taken the first steps ; you have been good 

 enough to give me the benefit of your experience ; I, on my part have 

 worked, reflected, consulted the oldest fishermen of the basin; each 

 day my task appeared greater, and more useful. 



What is it in effect 1 To put under cultivation the earth that the low 

 water leaves uncovered, and to spread ease in the midst of a poor popu- 

 lation of fishermen and sailors, who are the born servants of the state — 

 women and children can work on the beds, a largely remunerative 

 work. 



The 1,000 tiles covered with hydraulic lime, put in their place on the 

 beds, cost £3 12s. Qd. ; it will be necessary also to clean the park, and 

 get rid of crabs and bigomeaux perceurs, to get the tiles removed to the 

 ponds when the winter sets in, and later on to detach the young brood ; 

 a continuous work is necessary to keep the beds in a good state, but at 

 the end of the year what will be the worth of the 1,000 tiles 1 If there 

 has been a good spat, they will be worth from one to two thousand 

 francs. This is the price I saw paid to two fishermen at Arcachon for 

 their oysters. What were then the expenses ] I will inform you. There 

 are about 120 days' work each year, which represents from 200 to 

 250 francs ; the parkers will then have an easy and immediate return. 

 Before these magnificent results, obtained at little cost, everybody is 

 prepared to work. Last year about 500,000 tiles were put in the basin, 

 this year there are at least two millions extra ; 300,000 at Meitros, 

 720,000 at Arcachon. I am not certain of the number of people 

 employed at La Teste, Ares, Audenge, &c, &c. ; however, I am certain 

 from having seen it, that there are a very large number, each one 

 following his inclination and his means to march with enthusiasm in the 

 new path, worked to increase his trade ; great and small are rivals with 

 ardour. Here one finds Monsieur Bethurius, the large proprietor, who 

 puts down 150,000 tiles on his parks, there is seen the poor fisher- 

 man who puts down his few hundred tiles on his small bed. All then 

 have understood the use and the great advantages of this culture ; but 

 whence comes this knowledge 1 It is without doubt from the establish- 

 ment of the Imperial Parks that they derive it. They are in fact model 

 parks in which the best methods of culture are sought out, studied, 

 perfected, and then made common. They preach with example what 

 is without contradiction a sort of eloquence in the grasp of all. The 

 most ordinary men, from the facts that pass under their eyes, hurry to 

 imitate us. What can say more, or be so convincing as these figures 1 

 1,300 tiles placed on the beds of L'Ahilon in June last (1869), from which 

 the spat was detached in April, produced a million oysters from three to 

 five and six centimetres. I will have the honour to inform you in my 

 next letter to what size these pysters have arrived. 



These Imperial Parks have fulfilled to the utmost their role of model 

 farm, they have supplied oysters to necessitous parqueurs, sold them to 



