80 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



do. When I want anything done in my own way, I am always told 

 that they have too much to do, but I am sure the Dominion Government 

 will do what they can to remove this pest. The increase in the star- 

 fish is a thing which has progressed and assumed serious dimensions 

 in recent years. The method of destroying them is very simple; all 

 that is necessary is to drag a mass of tow or rope across the bottom 

 and the star-fish stick to it. The killing of them is important. Fisher- 

 men have too often taken a star-fish and have torn him in four or five 

 pieces to destroy him. As a matter of fact, every fragment became a 

 separate star-fish, so the fishermen in their anger were practically 

 propagating the very pest they wanted to eradicate. 



I should like to emphasize what Mr. Arsenault said about the 

 so-called barren bottoms which were once oyster beds. I think it is 

 desirable that they shou-ld be leased to parties who carry on oyster 

 culture. I suppose the Prince Edward Island authorities know some- 

 thing about what is going on in Connecticut. They could not do better 

 than follow the Connecticut method of leasing and the method of 

 carrying on operations in the United States. 



Mr. Arsbnault: The planters have abandoned altogether the 

 idea of bringing over mature American oysters. After this the only 

 oysters that will be imported will be the small sea oysters, one year old, 

 because they find it is useless to bring the others. Most of them die 

 and those that live do not lose their coppery taste. 



