•21 
MUSSEL CULTURE AT HOLY ISLAND. 
It was stated in the last report that an experimental 
mussel l)ed had been formed on the scaup at Fenhani Flats, 
Holy Island, by transplanting mussels from other parts of 
the Flats, and also from Jllyth. The bed has now been a 
year in existence, and it is my intention to shortly describe 
the results. Samples have been brought from time to time 
for analysis, and some of these have been sent to the Fish- 
mongei-s’ (,'ompany for bacteriological examination. A large 
proportion of the mussels wer(> old ones removed from the 
higher parts of tlie slake, where they were not and are not 
making any progress. These during the year have pro- 
gressed in growth on the ex])eiimental bed, and have filled 
so as to foini good bait mussels. Hut the most important 
change has taken place with regard to the young mussels 
from the lower parts of the Flats and from Hlyth. I have 
specimens from the original bixl of young mussels on the 
scaup, and from the experimental bed to which they were 
transplanted, and the difference in size Ix'tween them is at 
once apparent. 'I'he average size at the jteriod of trans- 
plantation of the young mussels was 4 d cm. (September, 
In April, 1911, the average size of the mussels on the 
original bed was 4'(», and of the transplanted mussels, 5'4 
cm. During the year the Hlyth mussels have increased by 
•y cm., and the native old mussels by o to 1 cm. 
AVithout going further into details, the experiment shows 
that the scaup is capable of supporting a large quantity of 
mussels, for bait, and that if they be kept clean they will also 
serve for human consumption. It clearly demonstrates also 
that transplantation, coupled with attention afterwards, will 
be met hy a gratifying response in growth and development. 
There is a great deal of natural spatting at ditferent parts of 
the Flats, and this could with more knowledge be 
encouraged. This has been the experience also of the Holy 
Island fishermen, several of whom have made it a habit to 
form small scaups for their own use. 
The area is a large one, and could best be worked on 
commercial principles as a whole or by some plan by which it 
