74 COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



continual exhibit is maintained at the Wickford Station. Both of 

 these have been very popular; especially is this true of the Wickford 

 Station, where, in addition to the many daily visitors, your Com- 

 mission has extended, through the superintendent, the facilities of the 

 Station to a number of classes in biology. 



An example of the results of our past efforts in publishing correct 

 information is seen in the awakened interest in clam culture. Your 

 Commission is a pioneer in this work having successfully conducted 

 investigations in regard to the spawning season, the free swimming 

 and attachment period, the commencement of burrowing, the rate of 

 growth, the natural enemies and the extent of their ravages, the 

 causes of the depletion of clam flats and the methods of increasing the 

 yield. It has further demonstrated that it is practical to transplant 

 seed clams. A more complete discussion of hese will be found in the 

 special papers, a list of which will be found at the end of this report. 

 Especially complete in regard to our clam work, is Special Paper, 

 No. 15, " Observation on the Soft Shell Clam " (fifth paper) Dr. A. D. 

 Mead and E. W. Barnes. 



