LXXV 
In the oyster parks of France the success in collecting the 
spat is dependent oftentimes on the conditions of the water 
and the season. If the collectors are placed in position too 
long before the spatting season, they are covered with sedi- 
ment and lose their capacity for receiving the spat. Again, 
they are frequently placed in position after the spatting sea- 
son has advanced, and the yield is consequently much dimin- 
ished. It will be seen that by artificial impregnation these 
causes of loss can, to a great extent, be guarded against. 
The locality of Crisfield was selected by us after consultation 
with the Superintendent of theU. S. Coast and Geodetic Sur- 
vey, as we ascertained that it was proposed to continue, during 
the summer, the hydrographic investigation which had been 
commenced in Tangier Sound the previous year. We hoped 
to be able to combine the results of the investigations of the 
physical conditions surrounding the oyster-beds with the les- 
sons deduced from the biological investigations, thereby mak- 
ing the work more complete and our conclusions more trusty. 
The hydrographic investigations were conducted by Master 
Francis Winslow in the Coast Survey schooner “Palinurus.” 
Through the courtesy of Mr. Carlisle Patterson, Superintend- 
ent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, we have made extracts 
from the reports of his researches in this locality during the 
two seasons. These extracts will be found in the appendix. 
Early in June, Dr. Brooks was joined by a number of sci- 
entific workers connected with the Johns Hopkins and other 
Universities. For the accommodation of these additional in- 
vestigators, I secured from the U. S. Commissioner the barges 
which were used in the shad-hatching operations, and which 
furnished them with comfortable quarters and quite a commo- 
dious laboratory. The small boats of the Fish Commission and 
a steam launch, which was a part of the shad-hatching equip- 
ment, also provided the means of doing a good deal of inshore 
dredging and surface collecting. The steamer “Lookout,” 
which had been provided with dredging apparatus, was used 
for dredging in the Sound and Bay and furnished material 
for study. 
