184 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OP INLAND FISHERIES. 



they ever grow to the size of big beach clams they would completely barricade 

 the surf. 



If you would kindly advise us in this matter, we would be greatly obliged both 

 for the public and ourselves, and would be glad to send you samples of these 

 things. 



Yours very truly, 



EASTON'S BEACH CO., 



Per F. H. Paine, Secretary. 



Mr. Barnes was requested to examine into the matter, and makes 

 the following report. It is difficult to see how such an occurrence 

 could be prevented. 



Visitors at Newport's popular beaches during the summer of 1909 had ample 

 opportunity to be impressed with the astounding productivity ,of the sea as 

 revealed in the immense number of young sea clams that were piled high upon 

 the shores. 



The easterly storms of early April washed immense numbers of the young sea 

 clams into the bays along the southern shore of Rhode Island. Particularly at 

 Easton's Beach (over a mile in length) the drifts of clam were often 14 inches 

 deep along the shore, and since the beach clams are vigorous burrowers, the sand 

 was also filled with them to a depth of about 4 inches. They extended, as far 

 out from the shore as the life-raft (about 450 feet), at least, and every subsequent 

 storm drove fresh numbers upon the shore. A good idea of the quantity can be 

 olatained if one considers the problem confronting the Easton 's Beach Company 

 in their efforts to dispose of them. The deep piles of clams above the low-tide 

 mark rapidly dried in the hot summer sun and became a nuisance. The clams 

 could not be thrown into the water because the surf would only drive them back. 

 They could not be carted away and buried because a hole large enough to contain 

 them all would be a tremendous undertaking. They could not be used to fill up 

 uneven ground because the health officers would not permit such a great mass of 

 decaying matter to lie exposed. 



Still it was impossible, of course, to have them left upon the beach. The plan 

 finally adopted was to cart them to a comparatively little frequented part of the 

 beach, heap them up in mounds, and cover them with seaweed anil lime. All 

 through June a cart was kept busily hauling away the shells and live clams; antl 

 from July first to September eighteenth they were continually carted away in 

 teams. Often as many as 42 loads were hauled away in one day, yet in the last 

 of September the beach was still slightly covered with them. 



