OYSTEE CULTUEE COMMISSION. 
APPENDIX, 
Memorandum suggesting details of information which the Inspectors of Oyster Fisheries, 
to be appointed by the Commission, should be required to furnish. 
1. What was the state formerly of the natural oyster beds of the rivers, &c., you inspected, as 
far as you are able to ascertain the facts ? 
2 . Have the oyster beds been injured by over-dredging, or any other cause ? If so, state to 
what extent. 
3. Describe the present natural state of the rivers, &c. 
(a) Are their banks and beds of rock, soil, or sand ? Or if various, state how much there is 
of each. 
t 
(h) If the beds and banks are of rock, are they covered, or partially so, with spat or oysters ? 
(c) Are any of the beds of mud ? If so, what portion of them is of that kind of mud similar 
to the London clay, so suitable for fattening oysters ? 
4 . Are there any salt-water marshes near the rivers you have inspected ? If so, are they more or 
less covered by the tidal waters, and to what extent ? Do the swamps consist chiefly of sand, alluvial, or 
a rich clay mud ? Do the swamps belong to the G-overnment or to private parties ? State also, as 
nearly as possible, their situation. 
5 . State what you consider to be the quality, sizes, and ages of the oysters; also the proximate 
extent of the beds. 
6 . The quantity of shells or other suitable material on the banks of the rivers which can be used 
as cultch. 
7. State what you may have been able to learn from reliable sources about the spatting of oysters 
in the rivers, Ac., you have inspected. It is very desirable to ascertain, if possible, whether there is any 
proof (as some persons assert) that the spatting of oysters is going on all the year round. 
8 . If it is considered that the spatting of oysters is confined to certain months, which are those 
months ? 
The above queries relate to matters of fact, and the Commission now require you will give your 
well-considered opinion on the following topics. 
9 . Do you consider it is for the interest of the public that the rivers, &c., should be leased, in 
very large areas, as at present, or in small and moderately sized areas. 
10. Do you think it expedient that the Government should refuse to lease those rivers, &c., whose 
banks and beds are natural breeding beds but not fattening grounds ? 
11. Do you think it would be a wise policy on the part of the Government not to lease these 
natural oyster Beds, but to allow licensed oyster-men to remove the spat and oysterlings therefrom, and 
sell them to those persons who have what are termed in England Ia?/in^ beds. 
12. What improvements, if any, have been made in the leased natural oyster beds by the lessees ? 
Also their nature and extent ? 
13. The Commission will be glad to receive from you any further information or matured opinions 
other than are suggested by the above queries. 
Memoeandum— 
For the purpose of report by the Inspectors, the Commission will understand a natural oyster bed 
to mean a portion of submarine land so covered with oysters as to make it payable commercially to work. 
