OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



61 



scribed territory of Acushnet River, where permits to catch a certain 

 amount for bait are given as in New Bedford. 



The production for 1S79. as given by A. Howard Clark in " The 

 Fisheries of Massachusetts," was 3,000 bushels, which is just one-fifth 

 of the present production. The supply of quahaugs has decreased the 

 last few j'ears, though new territory is constantly being opened up, 

 as the quahaugers go out further into the deeper water. The increased 

 price, however, probably more than counterbalances the decline in 

 production. 



Summary of Industry 



Area of quahaug grounds (acres), 



Number of men, . 



Number of boats, 



Value of boats, . 



Number of skiffs, 



Value of skiffs, . 



Value of implements, 



3,000 



115 



11 



$2,600 



100 



$1,500 



$900 



Production. 



" Little necks " : — 



Bushels, 1,000 



Value, $2,500 



Quahaugs : — 



Bushels, 14,000 



Value, $14,000 



Total : — 



Bushels, 15,000 



Value, $16,500 



Falmouth. 



There is practically no quahaug industry in Falmouth. Hardly 100 

 bushels are dug annually, and those only for home consumption. A 

 few quahaugs are perhaps shipped by the oystermen. 



This town, with its numerous inlets, bays and brackish water ponds, 

 offers perhaps as fine an opportunity "for shellfish culture, especially 

 for quahaugs, as exists in Massachusetts. There is no reason why 

 the water of Waquoit Bay and the other brackish ponds should not 

 produce a great supply of quahaugs, if properly worked. 



Quahaugs are found mostly in scattering quantities over a large area 

 in Waquoit Bay and in small quantities on the north and west side 

 of Great Pond, comprising a total of nearly 400 acres. Not all this 

 ground, which is the greater part mud, is capable of producing qua- 

 haugs. but many parts could produce good harvests. On the bay 

 side of the town small patches of good quahaugs are found at North 

 Falmouth, Squeteague Pond, West Falmouth harbor on the southeast 

 side, and a few are found in Hadley harbor, Naushon. These, together 



