OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



183 



soaked to increase their volume, they retail for about 45 cents per 

 gallon. As clams hi the shell, sold for " steamers," etc., will hardly 

 bring more than 65 cents per bushel, the process of shucking nearly 

 doubles the value to the fisherman, as a bushel of clams in the shell will 

 produce from 2 to 3 gallons of soaked clams. The income of the 

 average elammer will hardly exceed $350 per year, but a really ener- 

 getic and industrious fisherman may in the same time make from $500 

 to $700, or even more. Many of the men have individual orders from 

 dealers in Lynn, Haverhill and the neighboring cities, while the local 

 dealers ship largely to Boston. 



The regulation of the industry by city ordinance is of very little 

 note. Practically the only legislation pertaining to it is the law which 

 requires every elammer to have a permit, but even this regulation is but 

 indifferently enforced. The Newbury flats are likewise free to the New- 

 buryport clammers, and part of the Newburyport production comes 

 from these outside flats. 



The history of the clam industry at Newburyport is one of constant 

 change. Twenty years ago large areas on southwest Joppa were prac- 

 tically barren; now they are quite productive. The reverse is true of 

 Ball's flat on Plum Island, which, though once of great importance, is 

 now almost waste. Though no serious inroads have as yet been made, 

 a slow but steady decline in the industry is distinctly noticeable. 



Comparison op 1907 with 1879 (Salisbury and Newburyport). 



Summary of Industry. 



Number of men, 175 



Capital invested, $2,700 



Production, 1907 : — 



Bushels, 55,500 



Value, $61,000 



Total area (acres) : — 



Sand, 150 



Mud, » 930 



Gravel, ........••• 



Mussels and eel grass, - 



Total, 1,080 



Productive area (acres) : — 



Good clamming, .......••• 800 



Scattering clams, 280 



Barren area possibly productive (acres), 



Waste barren area (acres), 



Possible normal production, ........ $250,000 



