Oysters sit on the floor of the bay and do not dig themselves into the sand like clams.

Other crews are studying our rivers, bays and streams under the Development Plan and report that a great deal of siltation, contamination and pollution are deterring factors in the process of growing local oysters which once had an enviable reputation.

At the Paris Exhibition, France, around the turn of the Century, Mal- peque oysters from these waters were awarded the Grand Prix!

MUSSEL MUD DIGGING

Every year in the month of March before the ice on the bay broke up, farmers of Traveller’s Rest and surrounding area gathered at the mussel mud digging grounds on Malpeque Bay to obtain their yearly supply of mussel mud.

Edmund Phillips and son of Hamilton built and operated the mud digger, which provided the mud that was at that time a fertilizer for the land. The mud was 85% lime.

The mussel mud was brought to the surface by a scoop. which was lowered to the bottom of the bay and then raised by means of a horse and capstan. The mud and shells were dumped into the farmer's sleighs and hauled to their farms. Sometimes the green mud was spread, other times it was left for a while. Many trips were needed to supply the required amount to make the land ready for the spring seeding.

Many friends were made with men from Clermont, Hamilton, Indian River, Mills Point, New Annan and Malpeque. All enjoyed the wit and humor exchanged by one another while waiting for their loads. The farmers used ten loads per acre. About 1935 crushed limestone was brought in from New Brunswick and the same results could be obtained with much less work. Thus mud digging was gradually replaced by the application of lime.

ICE BUSHING

For many years, in winter the only means of travelling was with horse and sleighs. By using the ice one could cut off many miles of travel.

One such shortcut was between Traveller’s Rest and Keir's Wharf, Malpeque a distance of 8 miles.

As a safeguard against unexpected storms and poor visibility bushes were placed in the ice as a guide from shore to shore.

To make this possible, men from Beach Point. Malpeque and Travel- ler’s Rest provided six-foot trees of spruce or var in readiness to haul as soon as the ice was dependable.

The first chore was to cut holes forty yards apart, and place a tree in each until the distance was completed. This route was used both for busi- ness and for pleasure.

Sleigh loads of grain, beef, pork, lamb, fowl and other products would be seen approaching Rayner’s Creek regularly and in return they would haul

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