OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



233 



The clam industry of Eclgartown has fallen off considerably since 

 1S79. However, the elammers say that it has improved during the last 

 fifteen years. The following comparison is made between the pro- 

 duction of 1879 and 1907 : — 



Comparison of 1907 with 1879. 



YEAR. 



Production 

 for Food 

 (Bushels). 



Production 



for Bait 



(Bushels) . 



Total 

 Production 

 (Bushels). 



Value of 

 Production. 



1879, 

 1907, 



1.000 

 625 



3,000 

 575 



4,000 

 1,200 



$1,570 

 1,000 



The general shellfish regulations which govern the other shellfisheries 

 of the town apply to the clam fishery; but the industry has never been 

 considered important enough to need special legislation, and but slight 

 attention has been given to it. 



Summary of Industry. 

 Number of men, 

 Capital invested, 

 Production, 1907 : — 



Bushels, 



Value, . 

 Total area (acres) : — 



Sand, . 



Mud, . 



Gravel, 



Mussels and eel grass, 



Total, . 

 Productive area (acres) : 



Good clamming, . 



Scattering clams, 

 Barren area possibly productive (acres). 

 Waste barren area (acres), 

 Possible normal production, 



7 

 $50 



1,200 

 $1,000 



150 



50 



200 



20 



100 



50 



30 



$33,000 



In the opinion of many, doubtless, this report may appear unduly 

 lengthy, and to include many seemingly* trivial facts and unnecessary 

 repetitions. To the trained observer, however, it seems of the greatest 

 importance in dealing with such a practical and important problem 

 to place on record all facts and opinions which may become of value, 

 and to emphasize by frequent repetitions certain fundamental facts. 



Respectfully submitted, 



D. L. BELDING. 



