[This essay was put together after Emerson's death from a number of commencement and similar addresses he had made. It appears in The Complete Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, edited by Edward Emerson].
Freshly shucked oysters can be immersed in water and placed in shallow, air-tight containers in the freezer. Freezer temperatures should be below zero degrees Fahrenheit. Oysters can be frozen for up to three months.
Temperatures below 35 F will minimize bacterial growth and help shucked shellfish stay fresh longer, usually 4 to 7 days or by the use by date printed on containers. Refrigerator temperatures greater than 40 F will decrease shelf life.