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REPORT 
 
 ON THK 
 
 7 
 
 ■1. 
 
 OYSTER FISHERIES 
 
 or 
 
 1892 
 
 w 
 
 MR. BRNEST KEMP 
 
 Oyster Expert. 
 
 PMSTW) »Y 8. 1. SAWSON. PRINTER TO THE QUEEN'S MOW 
 BXCBLLB2fT MAJESTY 
 
 189tt 
 (Kb, 106— 18(811 
 
KEPORT 
 
 ox THB 
 
 0Y8TER FISHERIE 
 
 OK 
 
 1892 
 
 .Ml{. KRNKST KKMP 
 
 Oyster Expert. 
 
 OTTAWA 
 
 PRINTED \\ S. K. DAW.SOX, PRINTER.TO THE QUEEN ,S MOST 
 
 [No. 106—1892.] 
 
 EXCELLENT MAJESTY 
 
 1893 
 
RTilPORT 
 
 ON 
 
 THE OYSTER FISHERY OF CiNADA. 
 
 Ottawa, .'Mst Deceuilier, 1892. 
 To the Honpurable Chahlkm H. Tuppku, 
 
 Minister of Miiiiiie iind FislieiieN, 
 Ottawa. 
 
 Sir,— I have the honour to inclose n.y report on the Oyster Fishery of Ca.uida for 
 
 .houW ,,r„,»ed .„ c™,..!., ,„ earl, ,., pc^.l* i„ ,l,e »pri.,K of S "L (',Mfe n ° iZ 
 of ex„,,,„,,„g the »,ver»l „y,t6r-l«l, i„ tlie Domim,,,,, »ml in.,uipi„f. i„w „„'l r,K,W 
 upon the be.t n,«le. of p„servi„K ,i,„l ,levelopi„„ tlhi. v«lu„l,le ^, ju, r " „7v f .tW? 
 
 o^.h'etSo'lfzre"'^"'' "" '■"''"' »" "■' ^■"" «•'■ >"« wi,7hS:: 
 
 On our arrival there, we were met hv Mr P 4 n..«^..i.:., . t ^ i. ^ . . 
 
 GENERAL REMARKS ON THE RESULTS OF OYSTER-CULTURE IN 
 
 FRANCE AND ENGLAND. 
 
 Before entering into the body of this report, I deem it tt(lvi,sable, with your ner 
 nussion, to preface it with son.e general .-emarks on oyster-culture, an dthe hiX8tL?of 
 protection , has atfuned in France as well as in England. In a coun ry wLre luefhrs^ 
 reairr ^ P"""""*^' T'* *"?« -^vantageous pecuniary results ,so spe^ediiraJ.u^ly 
 reahzed, are comparatively unknown, a few data l,earing'on these ,>«„ts cannrfaiir^ 
 of mtei-est to parties who may wish to engage in so profitable a business. 
 
 P..ini"fc ' fT,^ T/t"'"* '^y i "■ '•"'« ""^^^ '''^ ™»nt''« ifi New Brunswick and 
 Prince Edward Isiand, I have found, among the people there, an evident desi™ Wrn 
 everything relating to the culture of oysters, and I have no d^ubt that with trmateTa 
 assistance which your department is prepared to give, to those willing to e nbarHn tS 
 business the day is not far distant when the ^hol'e coa^^ of S Br^sw Lk f^^^ 
 Caraquette to Bay Verte and the shores of Prince Edward Tsla ula^ wd! ... , tZ 
 
 wS £r; T """" «-"" T^^ ^' "^^« *« ^'^'^ * »^*"dsome revenue^ the p'roviS 
 while being of no small impartance to parties desiring to enga«e into this lucrative tmde 
 My intimate connection with the Whitstable Oyster^Lpa^ S Xh I ^m a 
 member and where I have gained most of my practical knowlX and experieL 
 wdl enable me to bring to your notice a few facts connected wythriLepE the 
 development and the present standing of the above-named concern •"''^P*'^"' ^^e 
 
^ OV8TBR KI8IIBBIE8 OV QAMADA. 
 
 TI..M.XHC. -lalo of tl... fori.uiti.M. of tluK o..i..,«»ny is n'ot known uyHte.s luivinK 
 ,«.,... tu.l on tlH l...n.H fn.n. tin.o inrnuMnunul : a n-o-.n of the UMMnln-.. ;vl;;><- > 
 
 ' Jh.v n.panv is to In- s,..n in tl..- nnm.-un. ut NMi.tHtul.U', .lat.Ml aWout 1M,(. 
 
 «J i«K o Umt twenty nnunlnMs. TIuh K.oun.l «h an oynter HhImmv t -v t..m.. 
 to r "rv wduahl.., l,ut 1 J..«r l.-iuK very seam, at the tin.e, these "';;••'-;;;;'';,;;;»", 
 lttl,..unnK u.en to take an e.,ual ,.,oi>...ti..n of the .iiv.Men.l an.l hnaily aihm,Hl then, to 
 
 '""1:';^"ran"Aet ^ lVWia,ne..twasohtai..e.l ineo.po.a.inu the eon.pa.jy of l^ee 
 KishJ.' u ; hmlKe-s or Whitstahle and K.antin« then, the I'on.inon Seal Smee tha 
 v«« the on.punv has .e^'ula.lv hehl eaeh .h.lv its wate.^ .ou.t, presuh- 1 ove. hy i 
 Twa "Mit .lay all its otheers a.e eleet.-.l fo,- the follovvinK V.-an Only hven.eu 
 
 are a lowe.1 to attend n,.H-tin»jH. <..• fish on these >.Moun.ls. a .Mh- '•'«"">■/■"/'; '..nnanv 
 The ovste,-.lH.ds are uhout one and a half square n.des in s./.e. hut the .ompany 
 
 Ik. Ill hiiirl I'liid fi'celiold to a ni'eat extent. , . 
 
 F 1 wo '.ee hnnd-ed men llnd .■n,,.l..yn.ent in the oyster tishe.v nearly the 
 
 whole the year. The total nu...lH.r of ,.,e,nlK-rs at the p.esent tn.u- K-lonK...« to 
 tl 'e ".ntpan^- is :".(.. the a.u.ual . nn.over l.ein« aln^.t £70..)U0, and the total value ot the 
 whole eoneern is e8tin.ated at alH.ut £-'()0,t)(»0 sterl.MK. • .• f n„n.l...tal.le 
 
 The «roun,ls a,e always kept well supplie.l with sto..k, eonsisfn^ ot ' " l^ '^ ' 
 and youV.K-.^Hte,s, whi.h a.v either l.re.l on their own ^f.ound.s or pu,rha.sed iron, the 
 
 ^"'•^Z';;;^HS^=s't;:l^"te;r.;';;r'a, Whitstahle.o.> aee f the expos., 
 
 Wo a lim.ai '"'"', \t ti.i.es veiv lai"e sums of n.oi.ev l.av.- heen paid 
 
 ' Unt ab m the year 1875 no Fre..eh h,(...l or oysters we.e hud o,. hnghsh oy te.^ 
 
 ''"""in amW..I! tW whcle .,t the oy.ten,, w .l..y «» hauled .m b..a,-d, .re c.refally 
 
 eaptanis juagn.ciit mi. agroumt «» '"r,C,:« ,rf" the above company, yet the matter 
 although this vessel was «7«5 ]>[ '^T ar„a1e in^l .^ Jo>^^^^ case to be 
 
 :Z:^Zr^S^^^eZT^i^:^^^ l^ bestoJd on these bed. 
 O^e 'conpTniel to «st asVrticular in their care and preservation of their beds. 
 
RKPORT <»N TIIK WdKK IN NKW IIHINHWICK. 
 
 This work Im iiirriftl Mil yon after vt'iii' l<v iIiiim- conmitfil uitli uysti-r ^i-ittiiiilM, 
 liiuih the Hiinu' iiM II t'linnt'i- \vln» iitti'mls tn Win fiinn anil ri<i|>s, ami with lii« IiiImiui' iuuI 
 exertion is liNikiii^ in ihf tutiiii- for fiivourahh' itsultN. 
 
 Till- Fn-nili iiovfrnnit'iit, tiiidiiiK iht-ir jinauMlN iMroiiiiiiK (li'|>lflitl through ovit 
 fishiniu'. K'aiizfii how ncicssary it was to inlcrft'if to save tin- ciitiif iniltiMtry, and liiwx 
 were |ia>-i'(l ri';.'uliitiii;{ sliinjifiit ly how and when thf few remaining oystt-rs iiiiKht !»• 
 dr('(l>:«'d. Mi)if iiii|Mirlaiit still, the aKitation of tlH-sc nit'iisuros li>d to tin- <|iit'sli"ii nf 
 ivjih'iiislimi'ht as ihi' iiii|iortiiiit |>rolilfiii. 
 
 Tin- reservation of the natural grounds as State |iro|>erly, and the forltiddiiifZ of 
 general |iulilii- dredging, is generally regarded as the keystone of French oyster culture. 
 These grounds oiue exhausted, and now tloiirishing, are regarded as the jieriiiuneiit 
 eapital of surrounding areas, whose |irotils in the furni of seed oysler.-i are shared iiy idl 
 Hiike. 
 
 The State exereises thi- additional rigiitof surveillance in the inlerestsof cuiturists, 
 through the local eonnnisNaries of marine, and of reguUting and changing the terms of 
 {State rentals. 
 
 The industry is a protitalile one to the culturist. It also returns to the State ii 
 large yearly revenue hy way of rentals. ( 'oiiiiietilioii. moreover, on the side of the 
 cuiturists. is ojterating more and more favourably for the iH'ople, insuring a j»r«Hluct for 
 generid coDHumption. 
 
 UKPOHT ON THK WoUK T\ NKW UHINSWICK. 
 
 «»n our arrival at Shediac we were met hy Mr. H. A. C'liajimun, Insjiector of 
 Fisheries for New Hrunswick, and Mr. E. Hackelt. Inspector of Fisheries for Prince 
 Kdward Island. 
 
 « »ur iiKstructions were to visit the following places, viz., Shediac Huctouche, C'iKagne 
 
 and Hichihuctu. 
 
 SMKIUAC, 
 
 Having carefully and thoroughly surveyed, dredged and inspected the whole of 
 Shediac Hay, 1 am convinced that it is a most .suitable place for imtural oyster-culture. 
 I'lKin every clear place where any soil can lie found have dredged up oysters and oyster 
 ImMxl, as many a.s I'U at a haul. Thesr '»e<ls are in a most deplorable condition through 
 neglect and want of proper care and .■ ntion, also the ruthless manner in which the 
 mussel-mud diggers have cut the beds to pieces, and they are now a l(|t of disjointed 
 patches with an immense accumulation of .soft mud arouiul thoni. It w as four days iM-foiv 
 we succeeded intindinga piece of ground large enougii to cultivate oysters upon. Since 
 then we were more successful and have found mine suitable and larger jiortiojis of 
 ground which have been marked by placing a number of beacons around the same. One 
 of the best pieces of ground is oli'or abreast of Mr. Hannington's house ; it can be very 
 much enlarged by using proper niean.s, there l)eing giHjd ground around and lying in 
 a goi^d depth of water. 
 
 There are also other beds which can be connected by time, care and lalxiur. l'i>on 
 examination of the soil, it was found that the northern portion of the ground, on the 
 plan handed to us, was entiiely useless for oyster-culture, but large ([uantities of ground 
 were frund south of the southern Ix.undary of the plan, suitable for the above purpose ; 
 the bearings and limits of the ground most suitable have been marked on nn Admiralty 
 chart and forwaixled to the department. 
 
 The.se grounds when properly cleaned and kept in order will be very valuable both 
 for breeding and maturing the oyster. 
 
 To make these beds successful, they must lie thoroughly cleansed by dredges a»uae<l 
 in England, these instruments always improve and enlarge the same, and will also bring 
 up oysters at any depth of water. I am certain that when the dredge is once introducefl 
 in the Dominion it will supersede the rake and open a new feature in the oyster industry. 
 
6 
 
 OYBTKR PIRIIRRIKH OK CANAOA. 
 
 Thin Kitiiiiiil lit prewut jm not in u Ht i-onilitiim to plnnt oyHt«Mi» u|Nin. 
 
 Tlu'sc I»«-«Ih liiiviiiK rn'v«T Imtm |)i-..|M'ily workeii or k«-|il d.-iin mv very dirty, with 
 \nHiv .|uaiititii'H of i-i'l kiuhn n>"«inK <'ii ami luoumi tlu-m, iiUo nn iK'niiiiuhition of iiiuil, 
 which hiiH Im-» II iU>|MiHit«'il then' iiy lh«' tiihi* ; but with time iind hilHuir th«Hi' ciin all l>e 
 < U'luu'd Hiid put in working «irdiT. Siimll i|uaiititi«>H nf oyMti-iN iiiid IucmmI, hii- to 1m< 
 found on thfsc ImmU, nhiiwinx that oyNti-iN iirc still in fxistc'iui- in this Im-alitv, whicli 
 iir»' of an t'xcflh-nt <|uidiiy. 
 
 At lUcioK iiK and Cimaonk, tin- grounds w.-iv found to U- very murh diMJointcd 
 throu>{h till' mud diKU»Ms (with the i-xn-ption of thf l»ixon ImmI). \NV also pror.MM'iHl up 
 the liver beyond the railway bridge, an far as the oyster ImmIm extend, and found it in 
 the same condition us below, eut {opieees and disjointed. TheHe patches >;eiierally showed 
 a very healthy condition. We cannot tind ki^'IHx' with a sufMcient depth of "water to 
 reserve for tlie cultivation of oysters in the river or bay. The oysters liere are to Ijo 
 found Ki-owin^f on the sides of banks and edyesof the channels, U'ingvery healthy, ^row- 
 U\H very fast and a much j;reater proportion of oyster bnsHl tlian the fullblown oyster: 
 in «.iie haul we brought up 10 oysters and ">» brfxMl, in another haul •»;» bnsKl no oysfei-H, 
 and many hauls in like proportion. Kisliin;,' oysters through the ice was very nofiVeabie 
 here, as in some places, bleached slielLs were found, cau.sed tiiroujjh Ix'inj; exJMt.sed to the 
 weather, and the youii« br«M»<l all dead. 
 
 At |{|<iiim(To we found like the two former places, with flic atlditiou of a 
 much larger (piantity of oyster Im-immI ; on every place w hich was dredged, were found an 
 abundance of the same in the healthiest condition, no mortality whatever, everythiiiK 
 brought up by the dredp- proved to 1m- oyster lirtKHl ; a siyht like this could not be seen 
 on any oyster ){rouiids in Kiiyland. The palthes are small, owiiij; to the o|wiati<ins of 
 tlie muRsel-iiiud di^'K'ers, all the surisiundinns lieiii),' composed of loii>; eel jjrass and .soft 
 mud. Were it possiiile to form ground sutticieiitly hard to receive the spat there could 
 (fi-oiii l»ig Cove to Kingston Hridge) l)e saved a suUicient ipiantity of oyster br.KMl to 
 supply the whole of Kngland's oyster-lM-cls. On every patch dredged our hauls of oy.ster 
 broiKl were as follows : H]'\ It)'), 1!).'), 108. Coining t«Ia larger patch from which we were 
 enabled to obtain a greater (piantity we brought up HI I ; the largest iwrtion consisted of 
 undersized oysters. 
 
 N«» soil was found for the sjiat to adhere to, conse(|uently great nuinlK-rs were 
 smothered and d"stroyed by the mud. 
 
 The North-west Hiver was next inspected, where very few oysters were found and 
 the ground ajipeared to be very old, having In-eii desti-oyed by the mud iliggers, and had 
 the apjiearaiice of being long disused. 
 
 The best and most suitable piece of ground lay iietween Indian Island and the main 
 land, a portion of which was comparatively clean, but the greatest [Mtition would recjuire 
 cleaning before planting, there being in this place a suVistantial bottom ; the only draw- 
 buck which 1 noticed was the situation, being opposite the Indian settlement and iniglit 
 be robbetl by them. 
 
 THE WORK TN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. 
 
 I places visited were Summerside Harbour, or Hedecjue Hay, Richmond Bay, 
 , Rideford, Enmore Itiver, Charlottetown, North ur York River, AVest River 
 
 The 
 Narrows, 
 and Vernon River 
 
 IIKDKyl.'K HAY. 
 
 The greater portion of this bay consists of soft mud and long eel grays ; nio.st of the 
 once famous beds have suffered the effects of inud digging. 
 
 Oft'Oy-stcr Point the bottom in very linn, but owing to the grass and weed being 
 so thick, it was impossible to tell what the bottom was really like ; at one time large 
 ({uantities of oysters were .shipped from this locality. 
 
 Apart from this there appears to be only one available place for the culture of 
 oysters, situated off the North Sliore, towards Wilmot Creek ; some portion of the 
 
TRR WORK IN PRINCE IDWARD Igl.ANO. 
 
 Ki'ouiiil wttK tlt'Hr, l»ut tlie Kn>Mt«>r p'trtiiiii wmt ihvitciI willi wtM'd uiitl »hiiii hihkh, th«' 
 iMittt.iii lM«iuj( >»'i) tinii. Th«' <iyHt«»rM hikI ItnMMl IhoukIiI "|> weiv ^,i n vn y Him- i|Ui(lity 
 and ill u licallhy cDiulitiDii, )(ntwiii)( v«<ry fiist. Thix ywvt', I liavt* nu ilniiht, would l>e 
 the iiUMt Muitnlile pitM'n fur reNt4K-kiiif( itt'tvr il hiiN Imh-ii iir<>|MTly rU'iiiiiil, 
 
 HICHMONII IIAV. 
 
 Thin ^hiuiid ctivciii a vory cxtciiMivt' uivh, tiiid tiiid the xiimc lotliin^f short of ii Kohl 
 mine ; tht*Ni> KmuiidN it|i|N>»i' to Im> very pntlilic. Soni** of l\wsv lM-d> iir«> v*-i'v lar^e, 
 (oiiHiHtiiiK of iiiiiiiy mn'H, tim st(«k u|><»ii them toiii|MiriiiK ^•'H ^*i'l< iuhiMit«(l kii'IuuIm ; 
 tlie lenouiveH iippt'ar to U* enoiiiioiis, for tlif Im-iIm ure wt'll stiK'ked with oynteiH and 
 oyster hnnKl, which we tiiid «»f a very K"****! <|imlity, and in a healthy condition, ^ruwing 
 very rapidly. 
 
 K\ery |M»rt itiHpt>ctiHl where w»il 18 to be found ther«> are oyitei-N and oyster briMMi. 
 In no ninnle iiiHtance have we seen any (h'ath, or a iiiarine eneiiiy to the oyster, a inoMt 
 reinarkalile eoiiu'idenee over such an ar»(a of Kifond. I Huhinit to you s.tnif of the hauiN 
 that were made over dilFerent parts of the Iwiy ; Old Store haul, M oystei-s, HO Iii(kkI ; 
 ;JH oysters, IS IuimkI ; iM oysters, .'<8 liriKxl : 20 oysters, l.i hnsKl. Four hauls ott' south 
 side of Tin II Point: first haul, I -'4 hrtKxl, '.\H oysti'is : secoml haul, l.'J oysters; thinl 
 haul, '.'0 oysters, IH hnsKl : fourth haul, '.\ft oysters, M.'l hriKsl. ('urtain Island, Mal- 
 pe<|ue May : tirst haul, ')» oysters, .15 brtMsl ; second haul, 40 oysters, 1 I hnxKl ; third 
 haul, ">0 oysters, '21 lii-ood ; fourth haul, .'W oysters, |;i hnsid. From southwest to 
 northwest of Curtaiii Island rei-f : tirst haul, "•"» oysters, IH IiiimmI ; second haul, DO 
 oysters, (i bnxHi. In the middle of the bay we hid til lai>{e oysters and lf» IuimkI in one 
 haul. Kast end of the (lull Point: tirst haul, 47 oysters, |.*».") biiHxl : second haul. r»B 
 oysters, 180 broiKl. OH" Archie Camel's sli%re, 4.H oysters, L'.'l ImikmI ; second haul, T'J 
 oysters, !>8 briMsl ; third haul, *i4 oysters, !)1 briMKl. Archie Camel's Cape : tirst hiful, 
 73 oysters, .'il brmMl ; second haul, 81> oysters, '}0 brisKl. Sam's Island, an old lied, I 
 oyster, 14 brcKKl. Otl" Mill's Point west : first haul, 20 oysters, •"» biisMl ; second haul, 
 <) oysters, 4 briMKl. McNeil's Point : Ki-st haul, 75 oysters, :JH Iii'ihmI ; second haul, .'19 
 oysters. .'10 brood ; third haul, 'M oysters, 'M\ IiimmI. I>ick .'^hoie : first haul, 'Mt 
 oystei-s, L'8 biiHMl : second haul, 13 oysters, I'O brwsl. < )fl' Hiver Piatt: first haul, 9 
 oystei-s, :\ IrriMMl ; second haul, I'l oysters, M broixl. Fraser's Cove: fii-st Imul, 23 
 oysters, 7 browl ; s«'cond haul. 20 oysters, 15 bixMHl ; third haul, 10 oysters, 20 bwKKl. 
 The alKive fijjures will point out the present state of the >{'■*•'""'**• »" th"^ fftmx time to 
 time you may Ije e:iabled to test the various lieils and compare imtes. The grounds 
 fi-om Oyster Cove, including Indian Hiver to Kayner's Ci-eek, has Iwen entirely destroyed 
 by mussel-mud digging. Warden Kelly, of Travellers' He.st, informed us that the.se 
 weiv originally some of the l)est l)eds in the whole bay ; the fishermen were able to fish 
 in all weathers here, as they were in such a sheltereil position. These Iteds extended 
 about four inile.s in length. The whole of this bay is well sheltered from the .sea, it 
 being nearly all surrounded by land. 
 
 N.\IIHOWH .AND IIIUKKOKD. 
 
 These places were found to l)e in the sivine Hourishing condition as Hiehmond Bay. 
 The oysters here wei-e found to Ije smaller in size and round in .shajxs with a deep Iwt- 
 toin shell, resembling the English oyster more than anything previously .seen, they were 
 well fished, and of delicate flavour. 
 
 I will give some of the numbers of oysters taken at different places by the dredge. 
 Middle of Narrows : first haul, 54 oysters, 48 brood ; .second haul, 60 oysters, 65 
 bro-Tfl ; thirf! hftv,!,' '-H oyj^t^r-, 54 brood ; fourth haul, 35 oysters, 90 bnjOtl ; fiftli h.iui, 
 10 oysters, .50 brood. Richard's bed north side of Squirrel Creek : first haul, 53 oy.sters, 
 35 brood ; second haul, 51 oysters, 38 brood ; third haul, 29 oysters, 13 bnxKl ; fourth 
 haul, 49 oysters, 10 brood ; fifth haul, 55 oysters, 58 bnxxl ; sixth haul, 1 7 oysters, 47 
 brood. Nigger Point : first haul, 16 oysters, 38 brood ; second haul, 30 oysters, 32 
 
OYSTER FISHERIES OP CANADA. 
 
 brood. .Joo ]{eimrd's Point, Lennox Ifiltind : first haul, 18 oysters, 72 brood; second 
 haul, .% ..ysters, ;>9 brood. Sally Frances bed : first haul, 2') oysters, 38 brood ; second 
 haul, ."iZ oysters, 76 Oi-ood. Coopei's bed : first haul, 1') oysters, 222 brood : second 
 haul, 22 oy.sters, IGO brood. Hideford River: first haul, U'^oysters, ;i5 brood ; second 
 haul, 11) oysters, 21 brood , third haul, 14 oysters, 28 brood. Schooner's Creek was 
 found to be cut up with mud difjfiers : first haul, 9 oysters, ?,S brood ; second haul, 9 
 oysters. 26 brood : third haul, 1 oyster, 1 brood. Barkley's Creek : first haul, 6 oysters, 
 23 brofnl ; second haul, 8 oysters, 34 brood, Trout River: first haul, 10 oysters, 47 
 bi-ood ; second haul, 2 oysters, 29 biood ; third haul, 22 oysters, 68 brood ; large mussels 
 were found in Trout River. Lot 12, Point: first haul, 23 oysters, 33 brood: second 
 haul, 13 oysters, 13 brood. Bird Island : first haul, 68 oysters, 47 brood : second haul, 
 , 37 oysters, 27 brood ; these oysters were very fine. ■ 
 
 • . ENMORE KIVEK. 
 
 Owing to the unsettled weather, and small boat, we were unable to find any ground 
 suitable to reserve for oyster culture. The warden informed us, that originally there was 
 a bed extending for half a mile in length, but had been destroyed by niud'diggers, so 
 that no oysters or ground can now be found. The fii-st haul we had consis^ted of 5 
 oysters, 1 brood ; second haul, 1 oyster, 8 brood ; third haul, f) oysters, 2 brood ; fourth 
 haul, 3 oysters, 3 brood ; fifth haul, 6 oystei-s ; sixth haul, 2 oysters, 2 brood ; seventh 
 haul, 1 oyster. 
 
 CHARLOTTETOWN. 
 
 In the North River we found very littl| soil or oyster ground, the greatest portion 
 consisting of long giass and mud, but were informed there were oysters above the bridge. 
 We were unable to go beyond the same in the steam lar iich. 
 
 West HirPi-.—In Long Creek we found an abundance of oyster brood in a healthy 
 condition and gi-owing very fast ; the oyster-bed extended nearly half a mile in length. 
 Our hauls were as follows, (but at no time was the dredge full, as our dredging had to be 
 done in a rowing boat): first haul, 4 oysters, 32 brood; second haul, 11 oysters, 81 
 brood: third haul, 10 oysters, 236 biood ; fourth haul, 20 oysters, 222 brood. After 
 finishing dredging in Long Creek, we landed on the point ut half tide, our attention 
 beuig called to the same ; we there also found a large quantity of brood, which dried at 
 every ebb tide, Clyde River we found : first haul, 17 oysters, 110 brood ; second haul, 
 17 oysters, 120 brood ; third haul, 24 oysters, 128 brood. 
 
 Vernon liiirr.-^Virst haul, 15 oysters, 151 brood ; second haul, 18 oysters, 163 
 brood ; third haul, 7 oysters, 300 brood. A large quantity of weed and mud exist in . 
 all these riveis. Mr. John Finlay informed us that the grounds in Orwell Bay and Or- 
 well Cove would compare well with the grounds already dredged upon the Vernon 
 River. 
 
 Eaxt ^t?v>'.— Through the courtesy of John MacEachern, Esq., who drove us over 
 to Red Point down to the water's edge at low tide, along the shore fi-om point to point, 
 where we were enabled to see sights worth looking at ; the ground being completely 
 covered with oyster brood of a very fine shape and form, very different to the oysters 
 we have seen on the other beds this part of the island. Mr. MacEachern inform"ed us 
 that a continuation of this brood was to be found on every point for ten or fifteen miles 
 along the river. Individuals who have leased oyster grounds, would do well to restock 
 their beds by j)icking this brood, and planting their lieds with the same. As a rule 
 oyster br<Mxl picked upon an ebb dry ground, are much hai-dier than those taken in deep 
 water. 
 
 t 
 
 I 
 
THE WORK IN NOVA SCOTIA. 
 
 THE WO]?K IN NOVA SCOTIA. 
 
 TRACADIE : — ANTIGONISII COUNTY. 
 
 t 
 
 I 
 
 The Iiarbour here is divided into two arms called the East anrl West Arm. In 
 the Ea.st Arm I find a large space of water, well protected fi'om the sea, thei-e being 
 only a narrow outlet at the noith-east corner. 
 
 Tlii.s harbour is deep ; in the middle it is chiefly composed of soft nuid and eel grass, 
 but towards the shore the bottom l)ecomes tinner, and portions of this could be 
 converted into oyster-beds by placing a large (juantity of cultch as a foundation for the 
 beds, also for the spat to ailhere to, after the oysters have been planted. 
 
 The most suitable places here are on the north- west side, there is a cove with 
 fii-m bottom, and along the north shore it is n for a short distance from the land. 
 A considerable piece of ground may be found c. .ig the east side of the harbour, nearly 
 half a mile in length, running out gradually to a depth of about 10 feet water. 
 
 There are also two narrow channels on the south-east part of the harbour, close to 
 Mr. Girrior's house, where the bottom is firm and could be made available. In this har- 
 bour I found no oysters, although I have been informed oysters have been taken 
 from here. 
 
 The West Arm I found to Ik? well sheltered and protected from the disturbance of 
 the sea, as it is entirely land-locked, and is in every v/ay adapted for oysters to flourish 
 here. The bottom is firm, consisting of shells, stones and nmd, the oysters are very 
 healthy and well fished, growing in every part of this arm ; oysters are found 
 here of e\ery size ; and I have been informed by the fishei-men and others in 
 the locality, that oysters are increasing in numbers, lai-ge quantities being taken 
 from this part of the harbour each year. The inhabitants aie satisfied with what 
 they are catching, and do not wish to be interfered with, as some of the men depend 
 upon the oysters they catch as their harvest of the year. I find many undersized oysters 
 are landed here, which greatly checks the numbers which might be found, were 
 the oyster brood left to grow until fit to be taken to market. 
 
 In this spacious harlwur the depth of water is found to vary from the sides to the 
 centre fiom 2 to 10 feet, the bottom is even, there being no mud digging going on in 
 this locality. The farmers here collect the kelp or seaweed from the shores, which they 
 find very beneficial to their land. 
 
 Here I noticed some oysters were taken from a fii-m bottom, while others were 
 found amongst the mud ; the former were of a much superior class, both the shell and the 
 oyster being very firm and white in colour, while the latter, the shells were found to be 
 soft, and infeiior in fish as regards colour and flavour. This shows that a firm bottom 
 is preferable. 
 
 I should suggest that this liarb<jui- be equally divided into two portions for the fishing 
 of oysters, to be carried on alternately in each division ; fishing on one half of the har- 
 bour one year, and the other half the next year. This is a splendid natural oyster-bed, 
 the grounds being an excellent place for the spawn to fall without being disturbed by 
 the motion of the sea. , 
 
 THE FALL WOKK AT 8HEDIAC. 
 
 On the conclusion of the above inspection my time has been devoted to preparing 
 the oyster-beds at Shediac harbour for tlie purpose of restocking them in the spring. I 
 have been dredging on one of the largest beds, by means of a small steam-lx»at, working 
 four dredges, thus removing all the old shells, weed and i*efuse which covered these beds, 
 being very careful to pick out all live oysters and brood which were brouglit to the 
 
10 
 
 OYSTER FI8HKRIE8 IN CANADA. 
 
 surface ; tliese Imve been again relaid on different parts of the harbour, after having l,een 
 
 the shitXr'''' ^™ '^' '^"', ""' ^y^*«'-^ '^'y ^^'-^ 'Adhered to ; this is done so that 
 Lrj .T.K **'7y;*«'- ""^y ''«^'«>«P "'««•« fuHy. The cultch and shells which accumu- 
 lated on these beds have been removed from the top, and placed on the mud on the 
 
 nnSrt F% "" • " T"t ^^ *''' '^^'^^ *''^"«^'' ^^ ^^e mud diggers ; and having h^l an 
 linT^/ l''"T '*'" ,^"""1. '^^r ^ ^^"^^^^ ^'^^ ^•°'-'^' I am pleased to state^that the 
 ground has been cleaned on the edges, making the bed very much larger than I had 
 previously anticipated, and the soil is clean on the portion where I have^een engage^ 
 ami IS now ready for restocking with oyster brood. '="S»fe«u. 
 
 I have tried on other parts of the bay which I find dirty, but can also state there 
 has been a small quantity bf spat fall during this last summer! 
 
 After these grounds have been stocked a large quantity of clean oyster shells will 
 be necess^-y to be ha^l in readiness to lay on the' gl-ounds to endeavou^r to catch Z 
 
 Sf ;t„t?nf r' 'Tu ^'T^u ^ '*"'*'y depended upon, as it entirely depends upon 
 the stote of the weather and the temperature of the water. 
 
 No oysters liave been planted in Shediac this fall, although I had made arranee- 
 ments with Mr MacEachern, of Charlottetown, P.E.I.'; when I was ready for them T 
 ZffnJ' H'*r T """^ '""'" '":,?*^'^'' ^^^ '^"^'^ ^"^^^ "^^^^y^ i'^ reaching him, when it 
 subject, stating I had better come over and make other arrangements, if I wished for 
 SZ'Jtl *^. "" planted this season : through this delay the season became so a 
 
 2it If u ' ''' **^ exposure of the oysters taken from the water to the frosty atmos 
 phere, tl... change of water, the temperature falling each day, and the risk of oysters 
 lying on the ground the whole of the winter, the loss would undoubtedly be .^reat 
 
 Young oysters taken in the spring will have survived the winter, thi change of 
 water and temperature becoming warmer, gives the oyster every chance to live and 
 grow. 
 
 GENERAL REMARKS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 ,, 7';^ ''P^'''' fi«l»«7 ^" ,<^anada can be largely developed, and I would advise that 
 the fol owing restrictions be placed on all ..yster grounds, as these will become more 
 valuable every year. 
 
 1 Boats engaged in the oyster fishery should be duly licensed, registeredand numbered 
 with the respective ports to which they belong, having a number painted in large 
 hguies on the boat as well as her name, in the same manner as is done in the United 
 Kingdom, I ranee, Belgium, Holland and other European countries. The above system 
 answers admirably and most effectually in British and continental waters. It seems to 
 be an excellent way of preserving this and other fishing industries. 
 
 1. Licenses might be granted to oyster fishermen; each license having a list of 
 rules printed at the foot, such as : No r .ind oysters to be landed under two inches in 
 dmmeter, ovlor,^ oysters under three inches in length, under penalty of a fine for each 
 ottence. The rule Nvould apply only to localities where the above size coulc' be defined 
 as sizes vary according to different waters, but the above rule would apply to all places 
 visited by me and mentioned in this report. 
 
 3. No fishing for oysters to be allowed on Sunday, nor at any time during the close 
 
 tv-Tu'L""""*'^'" ''* ^"^}^ ^^'""8 Iwat to correspond with the license held by them. 
 
 VV ith the as.sistance of the alwve rules, a record of boats and men could )je kept, 
 showing the number of people engaged in this industry, and whether it prospered or not! 
 It would also be useful to fishery officers, for the purpose of detecting boats poaching 
 during the close sea.son, or fishing on licensed or reserved grounds. 
 
 T 
 
 0Y.STER FISHING IJJ WINTER. 
 
 The fishing of oysters through the ice having been stopped by Oi-der-in-Council, I have 
 no doubt such a measure will go a very long way towaixls protecting and preserving the 
 
 t: 
 
 o 
 d 
 
GENERAL B^IMARKS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. H 
 
 beck Where this practice has been carried on, as has previ.nsly been done o. most 
 beds, heaps of refuse, consisting of dead shells and mud are foun^d 7we umbe.T of 
 dead young oyster shells are also found bleached by exposur • the loss Jfvs p^ in !h?! 
 way must have been enormous. Where the ice Ls ^ot ac^uSuy Lf o'fthe bSl 
 has the practical effect of protecting the oysters from changes in th^e tempera ureThs 
 ^Zr^i ^u * H '"'' ^" ^f '"^' ?^'^'"'"' ^^h«'-« '^'^ «/«*«•• P^rcs happened to freeze 
 
 MUSSEL-MUD DKUilNti. 
 
 The machines used in mud digging have proved to be very destructive to oyster 
 grounds, and then- mjurious effect is noticeable on nearly every Ld I have vis tec^ 
 muddilai r.^;. gmunds have suffered very much from the effects of the mussel- 
 mud diggei , these machines having been working on the best portions of oyster-beds 
 n tre7eari8S5\:T '1r"?A ''^- Charles /annington, C.£ of Old Sh^c^ac S 
 at oneSe on the": Ss ''^" ''"*^'-""" °' ''^^^ "'^^'^"'^^ ^^"^ '^' ^'^^'^ ^ *'- - 
 Pirrhti* S ^^ti'^ated by experienced men that one of these machines will destroy an 
 eS \LZ T '" "? T,"''- '^^T "^" ^^« ''"'^^ "•• *'-«"^»'-'^ "ght through the 
 leet in wic th. These holes will hll up in course of time with soft mud and 
 It IS very difhcult to lay a foundation on such a soil, to restore thrbefk o tS 
 original shape It can thus be seen where the oyster-beds have gone to 
 
 Oyster-beds can never be cultivated where the mud digger is allowed to work 
 
 ft wouTrS^isaSr ?"' f-lT'' ^"^r.-ff-^l ^y I'-ng -o- contracted ealy^ear! 
 It would be advisable to prohibit mussel digging altogether. 
 
 PKEPARATION OF GROUNDS. 
 
 Oysters cannot thrive where the ground is composed of moving sand.'or where 
 mud s deposited ; consequently, since the size and number of these places are becomh g 
 
 an f t hrremkiTd J " ""I '"«" ^^"^"^"f "* '^' ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ -" «"^ * resting'pTaTe! 
 wandeinn w ^Tt ^^ ^''""^ ''•'^" ^"''''^•^ ''»'»*='> ™™en«« quantities of the 
 wandering spat (or fry) may settle on it, and thus be saved. As a rule, the natural 
 beds occupy most of the suitable space in their own vicinity. Unoccupied ground 
 may however be prepared for the reception of new beds, by spr^eading sand grav^eland 
 
 S bTnuTtin?d'"''°"'; ""' "^""I "r^ ^«P* "P ''^ '°-^^«"« f-- I^rr-nTuatu'l 
 beds, by putting down oysters and cultch, just before the time of breeding, thus jjivine 
 
 5eZ; tLm."" ^ "' '"'""'^''^ '''''''' *'" ^"'•^•^"^^ -^ --"«« have^'had tfme "o 
 The simplest form of oyster-culture is the preservation of khe natural oyster-beds 
 Upon this, in fact depends the whole future ef the industry, since it is not probable 
 
 tciXrl^l H ^'•^^fir^^"^^'"^ "^" t^ ''«^'«^^ «" these'shores, on accolHf ^^t' 
 tecting the seed dunng the long winter, which will render it possible to keep up a Tup- 
 
 c^ndit^i^r Tt T' '^^J^^.^'^""! r^^^- to «eed oysters produced under ^natural 
 conditions It is the opinion of almost all who have studied the subject that anv 
 natural bed may in time be destroyed by over-fishing, by burying the biSL oysters^ 
 by covering up the projections suitable for the reception of s^,irby ^k^i-n 
 fut'^rf spa^s '' ''^ '^"'^^""' '^' "^^"' ^'^'^ ""'^ srciklly fitted to receive th^ 
 
 R..if„T'^^^1'"' H"*'?y,'l"ot«« = "As regarc' tr-e future of the oyster industry in Great 
 Britain and are doubtless just as applicab. u- other countries, that the only hope for 
 TsZZ:ZT^l '"r " *^~tg--f of oyster^ultur;, and in the Se'veloEme^ 
 deiSS" '^reeding oysters under such conditions that the spat shall te safely 
 
12 
 
 OYi>TEB FISHERIES IN CANADA. 
 
 • OYSTKR FOOD. 
 
 In discussing the question of oyster food in its many aspects, tlie general character 
 should first be examined. The oyster, it is well known, is quite an epicure in its feed- 
 ing, preying almost entirely upon the minute, lowly organized plants that float or swim 
 in its neighbourhood. With its shell slightly opened, and with the dark coloured 
 sensory margins of its mantle protruding, it draws into its shell a narrowing food-bear- 
 ing water current. When it once draws in the current, it carefully screens out the 
 minute food particles, and passes out a stream of filtered water. It avoids if possible 
 ingesting sand or njud. Oyster food, it will be found, consists mainly of diatoms, a 
 particular kind of minute, lo 1y organized plant that have the remarkable power of 
 moving freely about in the wai, v. Unlike any other plant they are incased in a pair 
 of saucer-like glassy shells, fitted one to the other like the lid to a pill box. The glassy 
 cases of the minutfl plants appear in no way to inconvenience the oyster's digestion. 
 The mucilaginous sheathing that encases prominently many diatoms, is first dissolved, 
 and the digestive juices find their way through the intricate glassy valves, speedily 
 attacking and reducing the jelly-like contents, together with the inclosed golden-brown 
 pigment pellets. The emptied diatoms appear to settle gradually, and are soon brushed 
 by countless cilia from the stomach to the intestine. 
 
 TEMPERATIKE. 
 
 1 
 
 During my inspection the temperature of the water hivs lieen closely watched, and 
 it has been found to be very even throughout the whole of the waters. There is no 
 reason why there should not be a spat fall each year if the grounds are in a fit condition 
 to receive the same ; and with careful attention, I do not see why these grounds after 
 restocking should not be as prolific as they originally were. 
 
 TRANSPLANTING OYSTERS. 
 
 The removal of oysters from one ground to another has the general efiFeot of im- 
 proving both theii flavour and size. The spring of the year is the best time for planting. 
 By placing the oysters in shallow water during the spring and summer months, they 
 will grow much faster than if placed in deeper water, as the sun causes the water to 
 become much warmer, the oyster being very sensitive to the action of light and heat, 
 ■which promotes a rapid growth. Oysters planted in the autumn are not so likely to 
 thrive, as owing to the change of soil and falling temperature, the oyster is not properly 
 climatized before winter sets in, which very often proves disastrous. Oysters grow but 
 very little during the winter months, consequently it is all risk and loss with no gain, 
 although there are exceptions in every case. 
 
 
 CLOSE SEASON. 
 
 The close season is at preseiit from 1st June to 7 5tii September ; while this is against 
 the reserved notion that no oysters should be eaten during the months without an R, 
 I think the dates are well chosen. In Ireland, the close season extends from the 1st 
 May to 1st September, but the Fishery Commissioners have power to alter it; and have 
 exercised such authority in numerous instances. In England, the close season is from 
 1 4th May to 4th August, which often proves to be the hottest month of the year. No 
 doubt, the 1st October would, in some ways, be preferable in Canada ; but the season, 
 now that winter fishing is prohibited is already so short, lasting a lifctle over two months 
 and a half, that it would seem very hard to further curtail it. If the weather gets warm 
 in the latter end of September, it is the shipper's business to use his judgment in sending 
 oysters to market. That is one great advantage of a person holding a license for an 
 
GENERAL REMARKS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 13 
 
 area of oyster grounds ; he can meet the demands of the market without overstocking 
 it, by sending the best quality and size, leaving his small ones to develop into full-grown 
 oysters. 
 
 During the whole inspection, in no single instance have I seen any death or marine 
 enemy to the oyster, which '-> very remarkable over such an extensive area of ground. 
 
 Taking everything into consideration, if care, attention and protection is given to 
 the oyster grounds in the Dominion, oysters ought to be found in all waters so adapted. 
 
 I have the honour to be, sir, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 ERNEST KEMP, 
 
 Oyster Expert.