PRODUCTION AND COLLECTION OF SEED OYSTERS 
257 
a representative sample of one-half bushel of shells was taken from each bag and the 
number of spat per shell determined. 
In Figure 39 the frequency distribution of spat on the shells is shown for three 
different bags in which the intensity of setting varied from 1,900 to 3,150 spat per 
collector. The bags were all planted under practically uniform depth and current 
conditions but were located at different positions in relation to the spawning bed 
BAG 3. 
AVERAGE 12.5 SPAT PER SHELL 
TOTAL 13,150 SPAT PER BUSHEL 
8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 
NUMBER OF SPAT PER SHELL 
Figure 39.— Frequency distribution of spat on shells from wire bag collectors, Milford Harbor, 
1927 
Bag No. 1 was at the upper end of the bed, No. 2 in about the middle, and No. 3 
just below the southern or lower limit of the bed where setting was the heaviest. 
The figure shows clearly that with an increase in the intensity of setting there is a 
greater uniformity of distribution of spat on the shells. In bags Nos. 1 and 2, where 
the setting was comparatively light, it was found that 66.5 per cent and 70 per cent 
of the shells, respectively, had collected a satisfactory set or more than 4 spat per 
23i 
u_ 
o 
tr 2 4 
U_1 
oo 
S 20- 
BAG I. 
AVERAGE 75 SPAT PER SHELL 
TOTAL 1,900 SPAT PER BUSHEL 
BAG 2. 
AVERAGE 9 SPAT PER SHELL 
TOTAL 12,250 SPAT PER BUSHEL 
