of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 
201 
the crop should not bo mature sooner than in four years, or the mussels, 
after tour yearis' growth, would be larger than those obtainable now from 
the Hats and Ardmore deep. It is usual to transfer seed to the higher 
banks ; and, as the lower and better growing banks are depleted to re- 
transfer this seed from the higher banks, where it was deposited, let us 
say, one year previously. In the bed system, the reverse to the bouchot 
process is found to answer better for our eonditions of climate and water. 
In the Bouchot system the mussels are transferred from the more seaward 
Bouchdts WAval towards the Bouchots d'Amont ; while, under the bed 
system, the mussels are transferred from the more seaward and deeper seed 
ground to the higher banks, and then, if a transference is desirable, to the 
better growing and lower banks. 
Conclusion. 
The Clyde beds are amongst the most valuable mussel beds in Scot- 
land, and are capable of producing a much more abundant crop than is 
yearly got from them, and so increasing the supply of mussels which, 
moreover, can be reared very economically. So long as matters remain as 
at present, the tendency will be towards lifting the mussels before they 
grow to a size suitable and sufficient for the fishermen. Perhaps quite as 
much as any place in Scotland, it is necessary to make and enforce regu- 
lations for the proper cultivation of the Clyde beds. Till this is done, and 
till it is to the interest of the men working the beds, not to lift the mussels 
till they are of a sufficient size, little will be done to augment the mussel 
supply. 
In cultivation it will be necessary to gather the seed from the portions 
of the banks which form a catchment area, and to transfer it to the beds, 
where the mussels will grow and fatten. When this is done the Clyde 
will contribute its share to lessen the mussel famine, and to supply cheap 
bait to a most deserving class — the line fishermen of Scotland. 
