130 
of any kind, was desirable. Oysters, when under hatches,, 
have very frequently been killed by heavy thunder storms* 
and tiring of guns. Any concussion or sudden shock will 
prove destructive, if the animals are in a confined space. Oys- 
ters takun up during the summer are much more susceptible to 
injury from this cause than those obtained during the winter. 
Oysters are transplanted at any and all seasons but generally 
in the spring and autumn. Oysters obtained by the use of the- 
“tongs” are preferred to those dredged, and generally those* 
taken either before or after the spawning season are most de- 
sirable. The dredged oysters are apt to be broken about the* 
bills, and will die on the planting grounds sooner and in 
larger numbers than the “tonged” ones. Those oysters 
planted about the Sounds are generally obtained from “tong- 
ers,” but those sent to the North, being in such large num- 
bers, are usually dredged. The size and age of the oysters to> 
be transplanted depends on whether they are for early con- 
sumption or not. If the former, the larger and older the- 
better, but in the latter case young oysters, from one to two- 
years old, are preferred. 
Generally any and all oysters are taken, without regard to 
age or size. The oysters for the Northern planting grounds- 
are usually taken up as soon as ice clears away and are used 
during the spring. Those transplanted in the Sound are 
taken up later in the spring, or during the early summer 
or autumn months, and used during the following winter. 
Blunt-nosed oysters, with thick shells* do not thrive on the* 
planting grounds. A change of bottom in transplanting oys 
ters is not considered of so much importance as a change of' 
water. The planted beds should be laid at the mouths of' 
creeks and rivers having a rapid current. The bottom best 
for natural beds was considered best for planted ones. 
The spavining season was said to be from May until Au- 
gust, inclusive, though most of the spawning was done in June* 
and July. All opinions coincided that the oyster in shoal 
water spawned first, but differed as to whether the depth 
being the same, all oysters on the same bed spawned at 
or about the same time, as many being for as against the* 
