FISHERIES OF THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES. 



119 



the tonging grounds until a load is secured, thus offering the smaller 

 boats an opportunity to sell their catch without having to lose the 

 time in going to market. The area of natural rock has become so 

 circumscribed that great effort is put forth in the early part of the 

 season to reach the more available grounds, and every advantage is 

 taken of time and methods of getting to market. Under these circum- 

 stances the "buy-boat" is always welcomed, and even though the 

 price paid is slightly under the market rate, a gain is made by the 

 time saved. 



Statement by Counties of the Yield and Value of Oysters taken from 

 Public and Private Areas in Virginia in 1904. 



( 1am. — The clamming industry of Virginia in 1904 produced a rev- 

 enue to the fishermen of .$'220,973. The total catch in the state was 

 207,440 bushels. Nearly all of the clams are taken in the shore fish- 

 eries. The catch by vessels amounted to 20,440 bushels, taken in 

 the waters of Accomac and Northampton counties. In recent years 

 clamming has assumed great importance in these counties, the catch 

 in 1904 being 151,306 bushels, valued at $152,885. Many persons in 

 eastern Virginia find remunerative employment at clamming during 

 most of the year, the prices ranging from $3.50 to $5 per thousand 

 clams. The season in most localities is from April to August. In 

 Norfolk and Princess Anne counties clams are scarce, the yield being 

 only a few bushels caught by fishermen while not engaged in other 

 fisheries. In Elizabeth City County about 80 men engaged in the fish- 

 ery, using 1 5 pairs of patent tongs and 50 pairs of ordinary tongs, and 

 the catch amounted to 14,000 bushels. In the vicinity of Poquosin 

 and Grafton, in York County, clamming is profitable, 275 men finding 



