OF MASSACHUSETTS. 55 



Chatham. 



Chatham is favorably situated in regard to the quahaug fishery, as 

 this shellfish is found in the waters on the north and south sides of 

 the town. The grounds are extensive, covering about 2,000 acres, 

 the greater part of which consists of the vast area south of the town 

 known as the " Common Flats." 



The quahauging gi'ounds are in four localities: (1) Pleasant Bay; 

 (2) Mill Pond; (3) Stage Harbor; (4) Common Flats. 



(1) Part of the waters of Pleasant Bay belong to the town of 

 Chatham. In aft. arm of this bay, known as Crows Pond, the best 

 Pleasant Bay fishery is carried on in water varying from 6 to 16 feet 

 in depth. 



(2) An excellent "little neck" fishery is carried on in the upper 

 part of the Mill Pond, in comparatively shallow water, comprising 

 an area of 3 acres. On these bars in 1905 there was a very heavy set of 

 small quahaugs, which were rapidly taken up before they had a chance 

 to attain to a fair size. 



(3) Quahaugs are raked on the west side of Stage Harbor in 5 

 to 15 feet of water, in an area of 4 acres of muddy bottom. 



(4) The Common Flats comprise 1,700 acres, and are covered at 

 low tide by a depth of only 1 to 2 feet of water. Quahaugs are found 

 throughout this territory in scattering quantities, but practically all 

 is good quahaug ground except the shifting outer part of the flat. 

 The soil varies from a pure sand to a sandy mud, and in parts is 

 thickly covered with eel grass, which makes raking hard. This area 

 offers one of the best opportunities for successful quahaug planting in 

 the State. The area is large, seed can be obtained easily and quahaugs 

 grow well in this locality. If it were not for the lack of protection, 

 Chatham could establish one of the best quahaug industries in the State 

 by leasing out the Common Flats for planting purposes. 



Quahaugs are taken at Chatham only with rakes. In the deep water 

 in Crows Pond and in Stage Harbor basket rakes are used; but in the 

 shallow water on the Common Flats and in the Mill Pond the usual 

 implement is an ordinary garden rake, with wire netting basket. Handles 

 from 20 to 25 feet in length are used with the basket rakes. 



The quahaug industry has existed in Chatham for the past twelve 

 years. 



Summary of Industry. 



Area of quahaug territory (acres), . 2,000 



Number of men, 50 



Number of boats, 25 



Value of boats, $5,000 



Number of dories, .......... 25 



Value of dories, $350 



Value of implements, $400 



