Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-03-04
OYSTER CULTURE
A United States Consul Writes Of
the Method Used in France.
Europeans Oysters Cause Resrotful Mono
rics of Our succulcnt "Lynnhnven Bays"
and Ycarn.ings FOR yirginias Choicest
BivnIvcs.

Islvalvcs.
Than cur famous "Lynnhaven Bays"
there are no finer oysters in the world
and travellers in Europe cannot stife
memories of Virgina's delicious BIZ
valves when the puny. little European
oysters are set before them
Relative to our oysters and the meth
DDS and results OF oyster culture in
France, United States Consul Albion w.
Tourgee writes us follows to the State
Department from Bordeaux, France:
'Oysters are q luxury in Europe. The
natural beds have been exhausted, as
me American beds are rapidly becom-
ing, ana artificial cultdre is dependent
upon Tor supply of this luscious hi
waive The CHIEF breeding ground In
france Is the Basin uArcachqn. Il tri-
angular tidal bay. about nine miles on
each SIDE, entirely land locked and OPP
eilinS out of the Collie de Gasconge
li:ay of Biscay) into the Department
Gironde, by a narrow channel about
three miles in length
Inc coast is sandy and deserted a
sold forest of maritime pines (pinus
plhaster). land granted during the
present century, has checked the inland
the basin from the southwest winds,
which blow fifty out of ffty-two weeks
OF each year. The shallow bay is net
worked with navigable channels, be-
tween which at low tide rise the half
clay. half sand flats utilized for breed
ing the succulent mollusk. During the
low spring tides the flats are covered
with Quantities OF cheap variety of
ordinary roofing tile. which has been
previously coated with sort of coarse
whitewash
The spawn brought in by high water
catches in these tiles, and the lime Of
the whitewash helps the little mollusk
to form his first shell. Toward winter
these tiles are taken up and carefully
scraped. The oysters, as large now Il I;
ones thumb nail are spread in fiat COW
cred trays, on baskets, of closely woven
osier to protect them from the star
fish, crabs. and other enemies. and
moved nearer the salt marshes. on the
east side of the BASIN to grow When
they have become accustomed 10 an in
dependent existence. they are placed in
trenches a little below water level.
which are provided with sluice gates,
BIZ which they can be flooded at will.
Ihey are thus prevented from being
chilled In winter or dried UP In sum
mr.. and are easily protected from enc
mics the gates being covered With wire
netting of fine mesh but the primary
TO keep their valves tightly closed when
out of 1t.
In about eighteen months their etiu-
cation In that respect is complete, and
they are rakcd up. barreled. and sent
on a journey of several days to the cof-
fer rocks at Marennes. France, and to
Whitstable. England. to fatten and as
sumo the helious green tint and brassy
flavor demanded by European epicures.
About 250 900 are shipped anrually.
The work on the beds is done by bare
footed men and women both clad in
bright crimson knee brooches ana
sweaters. which render the sexes nds-
tirsuishable. The regular trenches and
tlikes. kept in place with piles inter
laced with wattles, look like a Dutch
garden.
To one accustomed to the plump.
valve. the flabby, yellow or g:cenish
European specimen is not inviting The
shells are flat thin. Irregular, and as
slim and corrugated rs an cid barna-
Gle. while the inmates arc about the
size and thickness of n 50-cent piece for
II 5-inch shell On the spot. they sell
for from cents 10 10 cents Il dozen.
Elsewhere they command more. ana
the greener the higher prices Oysters
are never eaten here EXCEPT on the half
shell. a suggestion To put thcm into
soup or patties. 10 scallop OF S ew them.
shocks Il French chef as proposition
to boil n water mellon would a Caro-
li1rIr. cook. To think Il pan roIstIi
would be regarded here as a little less
than sacreligious. Even when, by
much persistence, You have achieved
some form OF cooked oyster.thc chances
are infinite that the most noticeable
result will be n fit of inconsistencies
caused by regretful memories Of the de-
licious Blue Points" or succulent
"Lynhavcn Bays" 1t is to be hoped
that our oyster men will learn and
practice the act OF propaga,ing and
nourishing the oyster, so as to preserve
both its superior size and flavor.