340 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



larger its powers of locomotion, which, though limited iu degree, persist 

 throughout life, enable it to extricate itself. 



Owing to its free-liviug habit, the methods in use for catching oyster 

 spat can not be utilized for the growing of seed clams. Although so 

 far as known no successful attempt has been made to obtain clam spat, 

 it seems i>robable that a moderately soft bottom naturally devoid of 

 clams could be made available by covering it with a coating of sand of 

 sufficient depth to prevent the sinking of the young during the early 

 stages after it falls to the bottom. Later in life they are better able to 

 care for themselves. 



In certain i^laces the planting of seed clams has been attended with 

 some success, as is shown in the following account: 



Quite au iuteresting feature in connection with the clam fisheries at Essex, Mass., 

 ■was found iu the shape of clam-culture. In 1888 an act was passed by the legislature 

 authorizing the selectmen of the town to stake off in lots of 1 acre or less eacli of 

 the flats along the Essex River, and let them to persons desiring to plant clams for a 

 rental of $2 per acre or lot for five years and an additional fee of 50 cents. Thus 

 far 37i acres have heen taken up and seeded with clams. Small clams are dug on 

 the natural beds and planted on these hitherto unproductive flats. About 500 

 bushels are required to plant an acre properly. During the first two years (1889 and 

 1890) the people were slow to avail themselves of the privilege of planting for fear 

 that after they had spent their time and labor they would not be able to secure pro- 

 tection from trespassers. But in 1891 and 1892 lots were obtained and planted. 

 The principal difliculty enconntered has been the loss of the clams by the sand 

 washing over them, the bottom iu some localities being soft and shifting. In 1S92 

 there were 25 acres that were quite productive, about one-third of the entire catch 

 of the section being obtained from them. The catch from these lots is not definitely 

 known, but is estimated at about 2,500 barrels. 



The cultivated clams possess some advantage over tlie natural growth from the 

 fact that they are more uniform in size and are as large as the l)est of the natural 

 clams. They bring $1.75 per barrel, while the natural clams sell for $1.50 per barrel 

 This is the price received by the catchers. One acre of these clams is considered to 

 be worth $1,000 if well seeded and favorably located so as not to be in danger of 

 being submerged with sand. This valuation would be too high for an average, since 

 all the acres are not equallj' well seeded and located. The clamraers are generally 

 impressed that the industry can be extensively and profitably developed, and their 

 only fear is that they will not be able to secure lots permanently. The greater ])art 

 of the land available for this purjiose is covered by the deeds of people owning farms 

 along the river, and the consent of the land-owners has to be obtained before lots 

 can be taken up. It seems probable, however, that the business will continue to 

 progress unless checked by complications that may arise relative to the occupancy 

 of the grounds. — Report U. S. Fish Commission, 1894, pp. 139, 1-10. 



It was hoped that these planted clams would propagate on the new 

 beds, but the expectation has not been realized, owing, no doubt, to the 

 un suitableness of the bottom, a fact which would also account for the 

 absence of the species in the first place. 



The growth of the soft clam is quite rapid, and Dr. Ryder has shown 

 that at St. Jerome Greek, Maryland, the shells reach a length of between 

 1^ and 1^ inches within several months of the time of spawning. 



