42 THE MOLLUSK FISHERIES 



(2) Possibilities of Quahaug Farming. The quahaug has a wide 

 range; it is found in all depths of water, from high tide line to sixty 

 feet, and in various kinds of mud and sand bottom. This natural 

 adaptability gives the quahaug a wider area than any other shellfish, 

 as it will live in nearly any bottom, although the rate of growth de- 

 pends essentially upon its location in respect to current. This permits 

 the utilization of vast areas which to-day are unproductive, and which 

 can all be made into profitable quahaug farms. Quahaugs will grow 

 on thousands of acres of flats, such as the Common Flats of Chatham, 

 if they are planted. There are indefinite possibilities of expansion in 

 quahaug farming through the reclamation of this unproductive sea 

 bottom. 



(3) Rate of Growth of Quahaug. The rate of growth of the qua- 

 haug varies greatly in regard to its location in respect to the current. 

 The quahaugs which have the better current or circulation of water 

 show the faster growth. The fastest growth recorded by the experi- 

 ments of the Department on Fisheries and Game was a gain of 1 inch 

 a year; i.e., IV^-mch quahaugs attained in one year a length of 2^ 

 inches. The average growth is between % and % inch a year, or a 

 yield of 3 to 5 bushels for every bushel planted, or the return in one 

 year of $4 for every $1 invested. In the more favorable localities there 

 would be the enormous gain of $8 for every dollar invested. All this 

 can be done in six months, as the quahaug grows only during the six 

 summer months. The above figures are taken from experiments which 

 have been conducted on Cape Cod, in Buzzards Bay and at Nantucket. 



(4) Value of a Quahaug Farm. An acre of " little-neck " quahaugs 

 has a high market value. A conservative estimate of 10 per square foot 

 gives the yield in one year of 2 1 /^-inch quahaugs as 600 bushels per 

 acre: This means that 120 bushels of 1%-inch quahaugs were planted 

 to the acre. The price paid for the same would be $600, at the high 

 price of $5 per bushel. The price received for the same, at $3 per 

 bushel, would bring $1,800, or a gain of $3 for every $1 invested. This 

 is a conservative estimate on all sides. Quahaugs could be planted 

 two or three times as thick, seed might be purchased for less money, 

 more money might be received for private shipments, and faster growth 

 can be obtained. The only labor necessary is gathering the quahaugs 

 for market. The quahaug farm requires no such care as the agricul- 

 tural farm, and offers far more profit. 



(5) Advantage of Quahaug Culture. The quahaug is the most 

 remunerative of any of our shellfish. It possesses several advantages 

 over the oyster: (1) it is hardier, less influenced by climatic condi- 

 tions; (2) it has fewer enemies, as it lies protected under the sand; 

 (3) it possesses a market the whole year; (4) there is more money 

 for the planter in raising "little necks" than in raising oysters. If 

 oyster culture has succeeded in Massachusetts, there is no question that, 

 given a proper chance, quahaug culture can be put on a firm basis, and 



