64 



THE MOLLUSK FISHERIES 



The annual production for 1906 was S00 bushels, valued at $1,500, 

 as about half were " little necks." Mediums are not numerous, and are 

 bought by the quahaug dealers at $1.25 per bushel and sold by them 

 at so much per hundred. 



In Marion the quahaug industry once flourished to a marked degree, 

 but at present is very much on the decline. The coves, which once were 

 bedded with " little necks " and quahaugs, are now nearly exhausted. 

 No reasons exist for this condition of affairs, so far as known, except 

 overdigging. Gradually for many years the supply has perceptibly 

 declined, until now it is at a very low ebb. Where a thousand barrels 

 were formerly produced, it is doubtful if a thousand bushels are now 

 dug durisg the entire season, and the overworked beds are becoming 

 each year more depleted. A. Howard Clark, in his report on the 

 fisheries of Marion, estimates the quahaug production in 18S0 as 2,000 

 bushels. The yield for 1906 is only S00 bushels, which shows an alarm- 

 ing decline in production. If once the waters of Marion could produce 

 a large amount of quahaugs, there is no reason why they cannot again 

 be made to produce the same, or more. 



Summary of Industry. 



Area of quahaug territory (acres), 



Number of men, . 



Number of boats, 



Value of boats, . 



Number of skiffs, 



Value of skiffs, . 



Value of implements, . 



400 

 19 



19 



$200 

 $50 



Production. 



" Little necks " : — 



Bushels, 400 



Value, $1,100 



Quahaugs: — 



Bushels, 400 



Value, $400 



Total : — 



Bushels, 800 



Value, $1,500 



JIashpee. 

 The quahaug industry at Mashpee is at a low ebb. Natural facilities 

 are favorable, but a lack of initiative on the part of the inhabitants 

 causes a small production. The best grounds are found in Poppones- 

 sett Bay and River, where a territory of 200 acres includes several 

 oyster grants which are worked but little. On the east side of Waquoit 

 Bay scattering quahaugs are found in Mashpee water-. 



