BIOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY 167 



TABLE 5 

 Hard Clam Production, North Carolina, 1880 to 1948 



* Production figures of edible portions from Federal statistics except as noted. 

 t Figures based on tax returns to N. C. Division of Commercial Fisheries, bushels converted to 

 pounds by the factor of 7.65 lbs. per bu. 



the peak of operations. After about three years of apparent success, the 

 clam supply diminished and the plant moved to Witt (now Sea Level), 

 North Carolina, just shortly after Mr, Doxsee died. The business was then 

 taken over by his son, Harvey Doxsee. Later the plant moved to Marco, 

 Florida. Following this period, production in North Carolina gradually 

 declined until 19 18 and remained below 400,000 pounds until 1934. Imme- 

 diately after the hurricane of 1933 clams appeared in great abundance in 

 upper Core Sound, as mentioned above. 



The production of clams appears to be influenced by other fishing activi- 

 ties to a considerable extent. The amount of hand labor and difficulty of 

 working conditions often discourage local fishermen from clamming 



