The Growth of the Soft Clam 



303 



clams increase more rapidly than large ones under 

 identical conditions. One series of the same size — 

 that in which clams were one and three-eighths inches 

 long — was planted in each locality. On the first beds, 

 where there was little current, the increase was 556 per 

 cent., on the second 711 per cent. 



It will be noticed that the increase of one inch clams 

 was 1,150 per cent. The mean length of these clams 

 when dug was nearly three inches, that is, they had 

 grown from a length of one inch to marketable size in 

 one year. Most of this growth took place during the 

 summer and fall. 



It is usually possible to obtain large numbers of clams 

 of this size for planting. When spread on a beach, they 

 are able to burrow into it readily, and when established, 

 will remain. In order to be certain of the growth of in- 

 dividuals of this size, another bed, with which great care 

 was taken, was selected for them, this time where the 

 current was a little more marked, and where they were 

 immersed each day for a somewhat longer time. The 

 increase in this bed was 1,337 P er cent - The relative 

 sizes of the clams at the beginning and end of the year 

 are shown in Figure 59. 



These experiments with Mya were subsequently re- 

 peated on a much larger scale, both above and below 

 Cape Cod, by the Massachusetts Fish and Game Com- 



