42 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



These experiment indicate clearly that it is not necessary to dig 

 up the shore frequently in order that clams may thrive. They 

 show, on the contrary, that the shore, if properly stocked with 

 small clams and left undisturbed, will become exceedingly produc- 

 tive. To obtain the best results, clams should be allowed to grow 

 two years. Nothing- could lie more short-sighted than the policy, 

 or lack of policy, now in vogue, when no effort is made to increase 

 the product ; when all shores are dug indiscriminately ; when 

 small clams are taken, which, were they allowed a few months of 

 life, would, without expense to anyone, increase many hundred 

 per cent, in bulk. To form an estimate of the proportion of under- 

 sized clams which are constantly being taken, it is necessary only 

 to pay a visit to any of the popular Rhode Island clam-bakes. 



There is much difference of opinion in regard to the question of 

 the damage to small clams from covering over with soil in the 

 process of digging, and we have made a few preliminary experi- 

 ments to determine this point. The experiments are on too small 

 a scale, "perhaps, to have great weight, but they are significant so 

 far as they go. Three hundred clams, one and one fourth inches 

 in length, were planted in different depths and in different posi- 

 tions and covered over with soil (a muddy gravel in which clams 

 thrived). After four days they were carefully uncovered, and a 

 record was made of then- change in position and of the number 

 w hidi died. The following table gives the result in brief form : 



