BIOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY 165 



before they have an opportunity to bury themselves. The adult clams are 

 protected by their shells and by their location below the surface of the 

 bottom. Among the enemies that attack adult clams are the clam borer 

 (Polynices), conchs (Busycon), and starfish. 



CLAM CULTURE 



There is no evidence that attempts have been made to cultivate clams in 

 North Carolina. At present several beds which are used solely for clams 

 are under lease, but these areas are for the temporary bedding of surplus 

 clams until a favorable market develops. Many areas exist in the State 

 where cultivation of clams could be successfully carried on for these clams 

 are hardy and capable of living on many types of bottom at various depths. 



The decreased clam supply in the northern states has provided an incen- 

 tive to cultivate clams in that region to augment the decreased natural 

 supply. Since this condition has not been prevalent in North Carolina, 

 little attention has been given to cultivation. 



In those states where clam culture has been attempted, it has not become 

 as highly developed as oyster culture. The many factors to be considered 

 for such a venture to be successful are similar to the requirements for 

 successful oyster culture. Two alternative methods of clam culture can be 

 considered. It may be carried on by the State through seeding of public 

 areas or by private interests in the development of an industry. The success 

 of clam farming depends upon the selection of locations that fulfill certain 

 prerequisites. The grounds should be accessible to good roads or marketing 

 centers. The depth of the water should be considered in determining the 

 methods to be used in harvesting the crop. It is necessary to locate the 

 beds in areas protected from adverse climatic conditions, and sometimes 

 the problem of pilfering becomes a serious one. Other desired features are 

 the nearness to a seed supply, distance from sources of pollution, and the 

 flavor of the clams from the particular locality. 



In cultivating clams, the planting of seed would normally be the first 

 procedure. The local conditions regulate the number of clams to be planted, 

 with an average of 20 small clams planted per square foot. The expected 

 yield, according to Belding (1912), from a planting of 20 clams per square 

 foot would be about 1200 bushels of 2^ inch clams per acre. 



The desired aim of clam farming is to produce clams that are uniform 

 in size and to maintain a population of various size groups that command 

 the best prices. 



THE CLAM INDUSTRY 



In North Carolina the bulk of the clams are produced in Core and Bogue 

 sounds. The clams are sold chiefly in the shell and graded according to size. 



