129 
about six inches in thickness over a hard substratum, was con- 
sidered the best, though a larger amount of mud did not 
matter, provided it was not so soft as to allow the oysters to 
sink in it and had a strong current over it. 
The oysters were said to feed on the flood tide, having 
their bills open then and at no other time. No one had 
noticed any enemies or animals that preyed upon the oysters, 
and all seemed to be ignorant of the drills and their destruc- 
tive effects. " 
The oysters are “ culled,” that is they are separated from 
the old shells and other debris while the boat or vessel is on 
or near the bed. Everything except the oysters is thrown 
back, sometimes striking the bed and as often the mud. 
The young oysters under a year and a half in growth and 
less than two inches long are also thrown back. 
All persons interrogated were of the opinion that at least 
seventy-five (75) per cent, of the oysters on a bed are taken 
off each year and that no more than fifty (50) per cent, 
should be removed. Off the beds near Haine’s Point, at 
least one hundred thousand (100,000) bushels, or about 
20.000. 000 oysters, were taken in the season of 1878. Off 
the Great Pock, about 100,000 bushels, or 15,000,000 of 
oysters, were taken by one hundred boats in October and 
November of 1877. The oysters on the rock at the end 
of November were so scarce that but a very small number 
of boats could find profitable work on the bed. In the 
spring about 75,000 bushels more were taken up and sent 
North, and as the oysters were small, they amounted to prop' 
ably 15,000,000 at least. Exclusive then of the fishing done 
during the winter months, in one season it is estimated that 
30.000. 000 of oysters were removed from one bed alone. 
Nearly all the oystermen advocated a “close time,” either 
from April 1st or May 1st to October 1st; many considered a 
prolongation until November 1st, and an entire rest every 
other year, would be beneficial. 
With regard to transplanting the oyster and its transpor- 
tation all experienced persons were of the opinion that delicacy 
of handling, and freedom from jars, concussions .. and shocks 
9 
