364 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
natural grounds as state property and the forbidding of general public dredging is 
generally regarded as the keystone of French oyster-culture. These grounds, once 
exhausted, now flourishing, are regarded as the permanent capital of surrounding 
areas, whose profits in the form of seed oysters are shared by all alike. 
The state exercises the additional right of surveillance in the interest of culturists 
through the local commissaires of marine, and of regulating and changing the terms 
of state rentals. 
The industry is a profitable one to the culturist. To the state it returns in rentals 
a greater revenue yearly than the total sum expended in the failures of Ooste. Com- 
petition, moreover, on the side of the culturists is operating more and more favorably 
for the people, insuring a product for general consumption. 
Throughout my visits of inquiry every courtesy was extended to me by oyster - 
culturists. The inspector- general of fisheries, M. Bouchon-Brandely, gave me most 
important aid and counsel, while the minister of marine, M. Barbey, instructed the 
commissioners of marine at the different oyster stations to facilitate my observations 
in every way possible. The following localities were visited, designated mainly by M. 
Bouchon-Brandely as typifying the branches of the oyster industry: Cancale, Roseoff, 
Belon, L’Orient, Auray, Breneguy and Trehennarvour, Trinit6, Yannes, Sables d’Olonne, 
Mare nnes, La Tremblade, Rocher de Der, Arcachon, La Teste, and Ossegor. 
Oyster-culture in France is decidedly of recent origin. It is but little over a half 
century ago that the natural oyster banks of the coast were, like those of the Chesa- 
peake, deemed inexhaustible, and were still allowed to be dredged even by foreign 
vessels. The French government at length realized how necessary was state inter- 
vention to save the entire industry, and laws were passed regulating stringently how 
and when the few remaining oysters might be dredged. More important still, the 
agitation of these measures led to the question of replenishment as the important 
problem. In 1853, M. de Bon, commissaire of marine at St. Servan, made his historic 
experiments upon the fixation of young oysters upon bits of wood and stone, and 
found that by suitable arrangement the oyster growth might be rendered far more 
rapid. The importance of practical use of “ collectors,” as the sticks and stones were 
termed, was at once taken up most enthusiastically by M. Coste, professor of embry- 
ology in the College of France. For additional light upon the subject, Coste made 
his visit to Italy, searching the processes there retained of the famous Roman oyster- 
culture. His report, supported by a successful experiment, made what was virtually 
a proposition to replenish the banks of the entire coast. Though the proposition was 
looked upon at the time as at the best impracticable, it was too tempting a one to be 
put aside. Napoleon III. became discreetly interested, and secured an appropriation 
for the carrying on of extensive experiments. Coste firmly believed that his work 
was to be of the greatest importance to his country, and that his success was to be 
immediate. He entered ardently into his role of oyster-culturist. Unfortunately he 
was ill advised in his choice of experimental stations, seasons were unfavorable, and 
he failed in his entire undertaking. His failure he recognized more keenly than did his 
enemies. u He died, blind, in disgrace, looked upon as almost a charlatan.” What 
Coste did for the cultural industry is now well recognized. He certainly centered 
upon it public attention and pointed out clearly what should be done. It was he who 
furnished the ideas for others to profit by. 
Since the time of Coste numberless improvements, great and small, have been 
added and have made the industry practicable and profitable. 
