140 THE MOLLUSK FISHERIES 



purpose. Tongs are also used extensively. Fourteen men are engaged 

 from six to twelve months each year in the oyster business. 



The production for 1906-07 was 22,500 bushels of marketable oysters, 

 valued at $24,850 ; and 1,000 bushels of " seed," worth approximately 

 $1,000. Most of the planted " seed " is obtained from Long Island 

 and Connecticut. 



The damage from the natural enemies of the oyster is reported as 

 very slight. 



The Wellfleet oyster has a peculiar salty flavor not possessed by other 

 oysters. For some trade this is preferred, while for others it is not 

 so desirable. Before marketing the extreme saltiness is sometimes re- 

 moved by floating the oysters in Duck Creek, where the water is less 

 salt,, using large, scow-like floats, 30 by 15 feet. 



Several Boston firms are engaged in oyster culture at Wellfleet, in- 

 cluding D. Atwood & Co., J. A. Stubbs and R. R. Higgins. 



For years there has been a conflict between the quahaugers and the 

 oystermen at "Wellfleet. This is very natural, owing to the rivalry 

 between the two industries and the rapid rise of the quahaug fishery 

 in the last fifteen years. Owing to their greater number, the qua- 

 haugers have obtained the upper hand in town affairs, with the result 

 that in 1910, when all the oyster leases run out, it is said that no more 

 will be granted, and the oyster business of Wellfleet will come to an 

 end. This is especially unfortunate for the town, as there is room 

 for both industries, and the destruction of either one would be a great 

 financial loss. It is hoped that some means can be devised to straighten 

 out the difficulties between the opposing factions before either indus- 

 try is ruined. 



But little oyster spat has ever been caught in Wellfleet Bay. That 

 oysters will set there is evidenced by the young " seed " caught on 

 the piles of the wharves and on stones and rocks around the harbor. It- 

 is noteworthy that at Wellfleet the spat sets only between the tide 

 lines, and does not catch where water is constantly over the ground. 

 This is directly contrary to the conditions in Long Island Sound, where 

 the set is caught in deep water. E. P. Cook and J. A. Stubbs have tried 

 spat collecting in Herring River for several years, with the results 

 of one or two good sets, the best being caught by Mr. Cook in 1906. 

 The other years have proved failures in this line. There is no question 

 but that oyster spat can be profitably caught if sufficient interest is 

 taken in the matter. 



The early laws were as follows : — 



In 1772 a law having been enacted by the General Court, regulating the 

 taking of oysters in Billingsgate Bay, an amendment to that act was now 

 asked by the town, namely, that during the summer months oysters shall 

 not be taken to market, nor fished by the inhabitants of the town for their 

 own use during the months of July and August. 



