OYSTER-GEOWTH. 249 



the same powers of reproduction as those kept in the breeding- 

 ponds. " Their progeny is deposited in the same profusion, but 

 that progeny not coming in contact with any solid body, it 

 inevitably perishes, unless it can attach itself to the vertical 

 sides of some erection." A very great deal of attention must be 

 devoted to the oysters while they are in the greening-pond, and 

 they must be occasionally shifted from one pond to another to 

 ensure perfect success. Many of the oyster-farmers of Marennes 

 have two or three claires suitable for their purpose. The trade 

 in these green oysters is very large, and they are found to be 

 both palatable and safe, the greeniug matter being furnished by 

 the sea. Some of the breeders, or rather manufacturers, of green 

 oysters, anxious to be soon rich, content themselves with placing 

 adult oysters only in these claires, and these become green in a 

 very short time, and thus enable the operator to have several 

 crops in a year without very much trouble. The claires of 

 Marennes furnish about fifty millions of green oysters per annum, 

 and these are sold at very remunerative prices, yielding an 

 annual revenue of something like two and a half millions of 

 francs. 



As to the kind of ground most suitable for oyster-growth, 

 Dr. Kemmerer, of St. Martin's (He de Ke), an enthusiast in 

 oyster-culture, gives us a great many useful hints. I have sum- 

 marised a portion of his information : — The artificial culture of 

 the oyster may be considered to have solved an important 

 question — namely, that the oyster continues fruitful after it is 

 transplanted from its natural abode in the deep sea to the shores. 

 This removal retards but never hinders fecundation. The sea 

 oyster, however, is the most prolific, as the water at,"a consider- 

 able depth is always tranquil, which is a favourable point in 

 oyster-growth ; but the shore oyster-banks will also be very 

 productive, having two chances of replenishment — namely, from 

 the parent oysters in the pares, and from those currents that may 

 float seed from banks in the sea. Muddy ground is excellent 

 for the growth of oysters ; they grow in- such localities very 

 quickly, and become saleable in a comparatively short space of 

 time. Dry rocky ground is not so suitable for the young oyster, 

 as it does not find a sufiSciency of food upon it, and consequently 

 languishes and dies. Marl is the most esteemed, and on it the 

 oyster is said to become perfect in form and excellent in flavour. 

 In the marl the young oyster finds plenty of food, constant heat, 

 and perfect quiet. Wherever there is mud and sun there will be 



