The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-08-12
oyster LARVAE
GROWING LARGER
Shellfish Commission Inves
tigates Beds Along the
Sound.

A continuation Of examinations be-
ing made by the state shell fish COM
MISSIONS boat Lucille showed more
and somewhat older oyster larvae
than last week. By far the greatest
numbers were found in the vicinity
of thes tate spawning beds, all of
which give indications Of great prom
Use. All of the oysters on these beds
have spawned out nicely and the
swimming larvae have been found
outside of the streams in which the
beds are located. 1t is thought from
their appearance that the largest will
be old enough to set by about August
Is, and the youngest somewhat later.
1t is not expected that the small
amount of oysters available for plant
ing on these beds this year can fur
nish enough spawn for any great
economic advantage, but the results
SO far look highly satisfactory. AS
single oyster gives forth such a ire
mendous quantity of eggs it is difficult
to estimate what might be the results.
At any rate the spawn has come down
the streams and is everywhere found
amount of larvae has been found in
samples taken to localities where the
shore waters are unsuited to oyster
growth. Many of the oystermen say
that the outlook is doubtful on &C
count of the lateness of the season. So
far as the actual examination of
swimming larvae goes, however, it is
not quite time to look for set. It is
perhaps unfortunate that shells have
been planted, in many cases several
weeks too early; many thousands of
bushels are planted even before the
oyster begin to spawn.
During the past week the commits
sioner's boat has taken a great num-
Der of samples along the coast from
East Haven to Port Chester, with the
general results listed below:
New Haven-A fairly good amount
of spawn was found between the
breakwaters, and a few about a mile
outside. My a small amount of larvae
was found between South West Ledge
and East Haven River. Samples taken
in New Haven and along the shore to
Pond Point show very little.
Milford - Between Welch's Point
and the Stratford River breakwater
a good many larvae were found inside
of Charles Island. 1t is thought the
| Milford spawning bed is at least partly
responsible.
| Stratford and Bridgeport - A fair
quantity of spawn off Stratford Point
and a good showing from Point bell
buoy to Penfield Light. No showing
SO far in and around Bridgeport har-
Dor.
Fairfield-A small showing in the
vicinity of Southport. The spawning
beds in Pine Cree has beenk rather
later than the others in spawning out
Westport and Norwalk - A num-
Der of oysters were found in the wa
ter. They may have come from the
outlets of Compo Mill Pond, except
for these only a few forms have thus
far been found. East of Chimon's
Island a few were found between Chi.
mous and Bell Island.
Darien-A fair number of larvae
were found in samples taken in ant
! outside of Five Mile and Darie1
Rivers. The oysters planted above
= the dam in the latter are doing splen
didly and the gates will now be open
ed to let them out.
Stamford - So far no indication
? have been found between Chippal
Point and Greenwich Point.
Greenwich-The best showing an,
= greatest number Of larvae found s
far has been in the vicinity of Grea
Captains Island. This showing
= without doubt entirely due to tn
| state spawning entirely due to tn
state spawning bed. Spawn has ais
t been found off the mouth of Green
wich Cove, but only a little in tn
vicinity of Field Point. A good show
= ing of small forms between Grea
Captains Point and Port Chester.