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WITH THE OYSTERS IN SUMMER.
10!)
and the separation of the living oysters, of many sizes, from the debris round which the}' are gathered, is termed by the oystermen, cuiling. Again and again are the oysters dredged, culled and replanted over more extensive bottoms as they increase in size. Out in brackish water the young must grow three or four years before being marketed. Each July embryos appear, and they, in turn, attach to the shells of the planted oysters with the result that clusters are again formed and must be removed before the oysters destroy one another. Then the dredging and culling process must all be gone over again.
The sea farmer does not have locusts and caterpillars to contend with, but he has star fish, drum fish, boring mollusks and several varieties of sea weed which mat down over the oysters and prevent their proper feeding. Strong currents bring rubbish, and shifting sands often completely cover the bi
valves. Then the dredging begins again, and the oysters are taken up while the sea bottoms are scraped and made clean before the nurslings can be returned to their watery bed.
Harvesting, in the ocean, is exciting and strenuous. Both tongs and dredges are used to remove the oysters, the dredge being especially designed for use in deep water. The tongs are merely two long, wooden handles, crossed like the blades of scissors and held in place with a pivot. At the lower end of each handle is a head something like a garden rake. A basket-like arrangement just above, prevents the oysters from falling when the two rakes are brought together. The length of the tongs depends much upon the depth of water in which they are to be used. The shorter the handle, the greater the length of the rakes at each end. The reason for this is that a much heavier load can be secured from shallow than from deep
ON BOARD OF AN OYSTER LUGGER.