OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



67 



Tuckernuck, is a large area of 2,500 acres, which is more or less pro- 

 ductive. The Tuckernuck fishery is largely " little necks," and it is from 

 here that the shipment of small " seed " quahaugs has been made. 



In the spring and fall men who have been boatmen during the sum- 

 mer work at quahauging. While 48 men work irregularly, about 18 

 men are engaged in the fishery during the entire summer, though prob- 

 ably never more than 30 are raking at any one time. 



The production in 1906, from April 1 to November 1, was 2,159 

 barrels, or 6,477 bushels; value, $7,557. 



i Returns of Special Agent Win. C. Dunham. 



The month of June shows the largest production, as the summer 

 people do not arrive in any numbers until July. The men who do 

 the summer boating are engaged in the quahaug fishery during this 

 month, naturally increasing the production. 



The principal method is raking from a boat or dory with a long- 

 handled basket rake, very similar in form to the rake used on Cape 

 Cod. The second method, applicable only in shallow water, employs 

 the use of a claw rake with a much shorter handle. The quahauger uses 

 this rake in the shallow water, where he can wade at low tide. The 

 largest claw rakes are often wider than the basket rakes, and are much 

 cheaper. 



At Nantucket about 5 per cent, of the entire catch is " little necks," 

 which are found mostly at Tuckernuck. The quahauger usually makes 

 three culls of his catch: (1) "little necks"; (2) medium; (3) large. 

 A few blunts are obtained. The quahaugs are shipped chiefly to New 



