of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



379 



6. The Bay of Firth, Deer Sound, and several bays in Scapa Flow, mussels and 

 oysters might, if protected for a time, be profitably cultivated. Oysters 

 were several times laid down in Widcwall and St Margaret's Hope Bays, 

 thinking they would increase, but all died out. The cause attributed 

 thereto was too much loose sea- weeds drifting about these bays. 



General Burroughs writes as follows : — 



Oysters and Mussels. 



1. Oyster beds and mussel scalps are being destroyed in Orkney. They yield 



no profit to whoever own them. 



2. Their number has diminished. 



3. I do. 



4. No. Steps as indicated are much needed. 



5. I do. No successful oyster or mussel culture can otherwise be carried out. 



6. I have no map of Orkney by me to refer to, but there are localities favour- 



able for oyster culture in very many places around the islands. Mussel 

 culture could also be successfully carried out in many spots which formerly 

 produced them, if properly protected. 



Ed. Murison, gamekeeper to General Burroughs, gives the following 

 answers to the queries : — 



Oysters and Mussels. 



1. None regularly worked. Oysters are found in Deerness and Firth. 



2. Diminished. 



3. A mussel bed in Veira Sound was dredged out and destroyed. 



4. No steps in a scientific way have been taken to restore this bed ; but young 



mussels are growing on it again. 



5. It would certainly be essential to one having a legal right to claim the pro- 



tection of the police, &c. 



6. There is a small loch in Eousay suitable for oyster culture. 



Mr Heddle of Hoy writes : — 



Oysters and Mussels. 



1. There are practically no oysters in Orkney, save at Firth, and a few at Long- 



hope, where they were laid down by my ancestors, and again by myself. 



2. Diminished. 



3. Yes, at Firth, where they have been nearly fished out. Thousands were laid 



down too high on beach at Kirkwall, to ship later, and perished by frost. 

 These beds would have been valuable if under any regulation, but no one 

 seemed to have claim on them, and they were destroyed in a few 

 seasons, when people found they could get 7s. 6d. to 8s. 6d. per hundred 

 for them. 



4. Not so far as I know. 



5. Yes. A south country boat came and dredged over ground at Longhope, 



where I had recently laid down oysters ; they having been extinct there 

 previously, owing, it is said, to peat mould washed down over the beds. 



6. Firth Bay. Parts of Kirkwall Roads. About Linga Sound, Stronsay ; and 



parts of Longhope and .some bays near. 



Mr A. Irvine Fortescue of Swanbister writes : — 



Oysters and Mussels. 



1. The Bay of Firth. Formerly at Deer Sound, but almost if not quite exter- 



minated there. Also formerly at Melsetter. 



2. Oysters have become scarce, formerly plentiful. 



3. At Firth and Deer Sound. 



4. No. 



5. Yes. 



6. Bay of Firth, Deer Sound, Longhope, and Bay of Melsetter. 



