162 
report. The results were of comparative value, and subse- 
quent operations in each year were to show whether the oys- 
ters on the bed were increasing or diminishing, or in other 
words, the fecundity of the bed, as compared with previous 
seasons, was to be ascertained. 
During the last season these proportions have been again 
calculated in a similar manner, but working with a greater 
knowledge of the subject generally, and a more correct esti- 
mate of the desired results, I have devised another method 
for ascertaining whether the bed is in its most productive con- 
dition. 
It is evident that in any large community, when at its 
greatest fecundity, there must be certain ratios between the 
individuals of different ages, and that any change in these 
ratios will indicate an increased or decreased fecundity. 
It was not, and probably will not be for some time, possi- 
ble to separate the oysters into classes by ages, except in a 
very rude manner. The only indication of the age is the size 
of the animal, and the oysters were, therefore, separated into 
four classes, according to size, in the following manner: 
The first class contained all those over three inches in length, 
and embraced all full grown, mature oysters. 
The second class contained oysters between two and three 
inches in length, and these were supposed to be mature and 
fit for market, and between two and three years of age. 
The third class contained oysters between three-quarters of 
an inch and two inches long, and represented the young growth 
of the preceding seasons, being thus oysters from six months 
to two years of age. 
The fourth class contained all oysters under three-quarters 
of an inch in length, embracing the most minute that could 
be recognized, and represented the young growth of the last 
spawning season, or those of less than a year’s growth. 
By obtaining a sufficient number of each class from each 
bed it was intended to establish ratios between each class,, 
which compared with ratios on new and comparatively un- 
worked beds, would show whether the particular locality 
under examination was in a state of greatest productiveness 
