IMPROVEMENTS IN OYSTER CULTURE, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Johnson, of Tower House, Newport Road, West
Cowes, Isle of Wight, Captain in the Mercantile Marine, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OYSTER CULTURE, AND IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED
THEREFOR."
.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th April 1881.
EDWARD JOHNSON, of Tower House, Newport Road, West Cowes, Isle of Wight,
Captain in the Mercantile Marine.. IMPROVEMENTS IN OYSTER CULTURE, AND
IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
I
Hitherto the practice for securing a deposit of oyster spat in open oyster grounds
has been to lay down cockle shells or other suitable material about low water
mark of spring tides at that season of the year when the parent oysters are known
to be emitting spat, which adheres to the said shells or other material. Tiles have
occasionally been substituted for these shells, but in most cases the result has not
been satisfactory in consequence of the liability of the shells or other material to
become mixed with or buried in sand and mud, and of the tendency of the tiles to
become violently disarranged by the action of the sea. To avoid these objections
I adopt a system of collecting the spat in relatively confined chambers. The
apparatus I employ for this purpose consists of trays, formed in part of wire
netting or perforated material. Several of these trays may be placed one above
the other, three being according to my experience the preferable number.
mount such a tier of trays on supports so as to allow the water free access to the
under side, and I place cockle shells or other similar material in each tray or cage.
Over the whole tier I place a cover of wire netting or other perforated material
with the twofold object of retaining the shells in the upper tray and of preventing
the entry of destructive vermin, such as crabs, star-fish, whelks, &c. I erect these
breeding trays in suitable positions, relatively to low water mark, and there secure
them by wire ropes held fast by stakes driven into the ground, or in any other
suitable manner. The operation is as follows:-The water entering freely through
the perforated trays keeps the shells in a state of moderate agitation, and the
deposit of sand and mud on the floor of the tray is thereby prevented. The oyster
spat enters with the water, and adheres to the shells provided for receiving it.
When the spat has sufficiently matured the trays are emptied of their contents on
good clean ground in open water, and the trays may then be employed for storing
and fattening adult oysters.
:

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Edward Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
25th October 1881.
EDWARD. JOHNSON, of Tower House, Newport Road, West Cowes, Isle of Wight,
Captain in the Mercantile Marine. "IMPROVEMENTS IN OYSTER CULTURE, AND
IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREFOR."
I
Hitherto the practice for securing a deposit of oyster spat in open oyster grounds
has been to lay down cockle shells or other suitable material about low water
mark of spring tides at that season of the year when the parent oysters are known
to be emitting spat, which adheres to the said shells or other material. Tiles have
occasionally been substituted for these shells, but in most cases the result has not
been satisfactory in consequence of the liability of the shells or other material to
become mixed with or buried in sand and mud, and of the tendency of the tiles to
become violently disarranged by the action of the sea. To avoid these objections
I adopt a system of collecting the spat in relatively confined chambers. The
apparatus I employ for this purpose consists of trays, formed in part of wire
netting or perforated material. Several of these trays. may be placed one above
the other, three being according to my experience the preferable number.
mount such a tier of trays on supports so as to allow the water free access to the
under side, and I place cockle shells or other similar material in each tray or cage.
Over the whole tier I place a cover of wire netting or other perforated material
with the twofold object of retaining the shells in the upper tray and of preventing
the entry of destructive vermin, such as crabs, star-fish, whelks, &c. I erect these
breeding trays in suitable positions relatively to low water mark, and there secure
them by wire ropes held fast by stakes driven into the ground or in any other
suitable manner. The operation is as follows:-The water entering freely through
the perforated trays keeps the shells in a state of moderate agitation, and the
deposit of sand and mud on the floor of the tray is thereby prevented. The oyster
spat enters with the water and adheres to the shells provided for receiving it.
When the spat has sufficiently matured the trays are emptied of their contents on
good clean ground in open water, and the trays may then be employed for storing
and fattening adult oysters.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figures 1 & 2 represent in perspective apparatus arranged according to my
Invention, and by the use of which my improvements in oyster culture may be
carried into effect. Figure 1 consists of a tier of three trays a, a, a, the bottom of
each tray being formed by preference of wire netting, and the sides by preference
of angle iron. Over the uppermost tray is placed a cover b, which may also be
constructed of angle iron and wire netting. The trays are supported on legs c, c,
having spurs which may be firmly driven into the ground. Chains, wire, or other
ropes d, d, pass over the whole erection, the ends of the chains or ropes being
secured to pins or stakes d¹, d', d', d', also firmly driven into the ground.
if than tions of tunun but it is obvious that

page_text: It will be observed that the space between the bottom of each tray and that of
the one above it or the cover forms an enclosed chamber. I place in each of these
chambers a quantity of cockle, mussel, small oyster shells, or other suitable material.
The sea water enters the chamber freely and the oyster spat adheres to these
shells. Predatory and destructive vermin are however unable to gain admittance.
When the tide recedes, the apparatus being raised a convenient distance above
the ground, the shells and spat are left clean and free from sand and muddy
deposit.
Having now described the nature of my Invention and explained in what
manner the same may be performed, I would have it understood that I do not
limit myself to the use of the particular designs and arrangements of apparatus
herinbefore described, as other modes may be devised for carrying the principal of
my Invention into effect, but I hereby declare that I claim,-
First. The improved system of oyster culture by receiving the spat deposit in
covered trays or chambers, and there retaining it until sufficiently matured and fit
for turning out on the open ground, substantially as herein described.
Secondly. The use for the purposes herein described of covered trays or vessels
constructed wholly or partly of perforated or pervious material, containing shells
or other material suitable for receiving the adhesion of oyster spat; the said trays
or vessels permitting the free ingress and egress of the sea water, but preventing
the entrance of predatory vermin.
Thirdly. The combination and general arrangement of the trays and covers, and
of the apparatus for supporting and securing them in position, substantially as and
for the purposes herein described and shewn in the Drawings appended thereto.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Johnson, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Nineteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord.1881.
מדו בדרד
TAHINGON
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