OF MASSACHUSETTS. 227 



present are in a very unsatisfactory state. The output of clams has 

 greatly diminished, both in the consensus of opinion of those interested 

 in the business, and also according to statistical figures. Furthermore, 

 the end of the industry, as far as any economic importance is con- 

 cerned, is plainly in sight, and at the present rate of destruction cannot 

 long be delayed. It would seem that here was a striking example of 

 the need of prompt and wise legislation for the protection and develop- 

 ment of an industry which has made large profits for the community, 

 and might yield still greater returns if properly regulated. 



The towns of this region can never compete with the towns of the 

 Kewburyport district in the production of clams, for the reason that 

 they have by no means an equal acreage of suitable flats. The Taunton 

 River is also a considerable factor, as its contaminated waters impair 

 the quality of clams grown along its shores. There remains, however, 

 a considerable extent of suitable territory which might yield a large 

 product if rightly controlled, and this territory, with its inherent 

 possibilities depleted to the verge of exhaustion by unwise and wasteful 

 methods, it is for the interest of the Commonwealth to protect and 

 improve. 



Swansea. 



Swansea, the most western town of this district, is by far the most 

 favorably located, and has the greatest possibilities of clam production. 

 Situated on the northern shore of Mt. Hope Bay, and containing the 

 majority of the flats in the Cole and Lee rivers, it possesses a greater 

 available territory free from the contaminating influences of the 

 Taunton River than any other town in this region. 



Altogether, 200 acres comprise the possibly available clam area of 

 this town. The best of this area is located in Cole's River, and includes 

 Long Beach flat, the best flat of the district. Situated on the east 

 shore of the river just below the railroad bridge, this flat stretches south 

 in a broad triangle comprising some 20 acres of smooth, semihard mud. 

 Over the main flat is sprinkled a very thick set of ^ hich to 1 inch 

 clams, interspersed with some of larger growth. While this is the best 

 flat, other flats extend along both shores far up the river until the 

 clams become too " fresh " to be very good. Plats also occur in the 

 Lee River, and there is a large and rather indeterminate amount of 

 under-water territory. The total area suitable for culture is not far 

 from 150 acres ; of this, about 20 acres^ are gravel and the rest prac- 

 tically all mud. 



No permits are necessary to dig clams on tidal flats, but permits are 

 required to " churn " clams under water. Twenty of these permits 

 were issued last year. Usually in digging under water two men work 

 together, one shovelling the mud into the wire baskets and the other 

 sifting out the clams. About 75 per cent, of the clams produced come 

 from these under-water areas, as the tide flats are for the most part 

 nearly exhausted. 



