OF MASSACHUSETTS. 113 



The scallops of this year were of large size, 2^ to 2% inches, and 

 turned out a gallon of " eyes " per bushel, — an excellent yield, as the 

 average scallops only shuck out 2 1 /2 to 3 quarts to a bushel of shells. 

 If a man could obtain a gallon per day by November 21 he was lucky, 

 and owing to the high retail price, he made a fair day's wages. 



Orleans. 

 On the flats about y% to 1 mile from the west shore scallops are 

 occasionally found. Six years ago there was a fairly good season, but 

 since that time there have been very few scallops, and these are taken 

 only for home consumption. 



Provincetown. 



Scallops are obtained on the flats in the east bend of the harbor 

 toward the Truro shore, where they are blown by a southwest wind. 

 Evidently there must be a bed of scallops in the deep water from 

 which the scallops are washed on the flats. In 1905-06 from 2 to 6 

 men were engaged in picking up these scallops and retailing them for 

 home trade. About 1894 or 1895 scallops were numerous, and it was 

 not uncommon for a man to pick up 5 bushels on the flats at one tide. 

 Since 1900 but few scallops have been found. 



Tisbury. 



The scalloping grounds of Tisbury are in the harbor at Vineyard 

 Haven. Only Vineyard Haven fishermen make a business of scallop- 

 ing here. The scallop grounds comprise an area of 800 acres. 



Most of the scallops are obtained by dredging from cat boats, which 

 are nearly all equipped with power. With two exceptions the boats 

 are singly manned. Fourteen men go in 8 boats, using from six to 

 eight dredges per boat. Six men scallop in skiffs, using one dredge. 

 The dredges are similar to those used at Edgartown. 



During the season of 1907-08, 3,000 gallons of scallops, valued at 

 $3,930 were captured. The fishermen ship chiefly to the New York 

 market. The scallops are of an exceptionally large size, opening, it 

 is said, 4 quarts to the bushel. The proportionate size of the " eye " 

 to the shell is much greater than with the ordinary scallop. 



Capital invested. 



Value of boats, $3,000 



Value of skiffs, 90 



Value of gear, 300 



Total, $3,390 



No licenses or permits are required for scalloping. The last season 

 (1907-08) is the second season that scallops have been abundant in this 

 locality. 



