OYSTER-CULTURE IN FRANCE. 
369 
Experiments as to the best way in which the tiles should be arranged showed, first, 
that tiles should be banked up in tiers, rather than spread out horizontally, in order 
to place the collectors above the reach of the bottom sediment. A second deduction 
was that the collectors should be placed along beach strips near the line of low water, 
thus to evade sediment, because of surface waters, yet at the same time to allow the 
collectors to be rarely exposed. 
Formerly, when the young oysters had become about an inch in diameter, the tiles 
were skillfully broken or cut by means of heavy pincers, so that each oyster should 
have attached to it a fragment of tile; this was regarded as of great value, protecting 
the delicate mollusk against its enemies. This method of separating the oyster is, 
however, now obsolete, except under a modified form in several establishments along 
the Trinite Eiver. It became too expensive a matter to destroy the tiles — the oysters 
must be separated and the tiles saved for the coming season. At length a thin coating 
of lime cement was found to answer the purpose, proving even better than the tile 
itself for u set,” while allowing the young oyster to be flaked off even by a push of the 
finger-nail. 
This innovation brought the tile more and more into general favor. Their use 
was now found economical; costing at the outset but $5 or $6 per thousand, they 
became fairly permanent, for even the percentage annually broken in handling (about 
5 per cent) could be made of use in special forms of collectors. Moreover, besides 
giving the greatest surface for attachment of spat, they might by their arrangement 
in tiers economize available space ; they might readily be handled and stored, yet be 
sufficiently heavy to withstand the wear and tear of the water. It is stated that at 
Arcachon and in the regions of Auray the yearly average of each tile is at least 200 
seed oysters. 
With this brief introduction we may examine the three typical forms of spat- 
collectors in present use and their method of employment. Y arieties in tile collectors 
are naturally dependent upon the place to which they are destined, upon the softness 
of bottom, upon tides, and sweep of currents. 
(1) Where the bottom is suitably firm, with but little water at low tide, the gabaret 
(ruche) is perhaps the most popular collector (PI. lxxi, Fig. 2). It may be described 
as a crate of tiles. The accompanying figure represents the form used by M. Daste, 
of Arcachon, undoubtedly the most convenient of those I have examined. The crate 
is made of strips of wood, 2J by 1^ inches, with the ends pivoted, so as to allow the 
frame to be folded for transport and storage. The wood is tarred once a year by im- 
mersing the entire frame in a tar vat. The measurements permit ten tiers of tiles 
and allow nine tiles to a tier. For solidity the tiles in the different tiers alternate 
lengthwise and crosswise, their wedge-like shape dovetailing the mass firmly together, 
the lighter upright strips preventing their displacement. In actual use the upper- 
most tiles are usually roofed over with seaweed, as a protection against the heat of 
the sun, should the collector be exposed. The collector described is arranged for the 
largest size of tiles, preferred by M. Daste as more economical in handling. Gabarets 
are often employed holding a greater number of smaller tiles, 120 to 200, gaining thereby 
a greater exposed surface for fry attachment. A modified gabaret arranges the outer 
tiles and fills in the central portion with the tile fragments broken in detroquage. 
F. C. B. 1890—24 
