OF MASSACHUSETTS. 79 



comparatively recent. By the opening of the great beds of " little 

 necks " and quahaugs in the channel and deep water the industry 

 suddenly became important. 



SUMMARY OP INDUSTRY. 



Area of quahaug territory (acres), 2,500 



Number of men, 145 



Number of power boats, ......... 38 



Value of power boats, $14,000 



Number of sail boats, 62 



Value of sail boats, $10,300 



Value of implements, $3,200 



Production. 



Little necks": 



Bushels, 5,500 



Value, $13,850 



Quahaugs: 



Bushels, 27,500 



Value, $27,500 



Total: 



Bushels, 33,000 



Value, $41,350 



Yarmouth. 



The quahaug grounds, which lie mostly in Bass River, are free to 

 the inhabitants of Dennis and Yarmouth, as these two towns have com- 

 mon fishery rights. Quahaugs are found in four localities: (1) Bass 

 River; (2) Mill Creek; (3) Barnstable Bar on the north shore; and 

 (4) Lewis Bay. The total area is 1,000 acres, which includes all grounds 

 where there are any quahaugs, as there are now no thick beds. The 

 average depth of water over the quahaug grounds is 4 feet. 



The town law governing the quahaug fishery reads thus : 



All persons other than the inhabitants of the towns of Dennis and Yar- 

 mouth are prohibited from taking clams and quahaugs from the shores and 

 waters of the town of Yarmouth. Inhabitants of the Commonwealth not 

 residents of Dennis and Yarmouth may obtain permits of the selectmen to 

 take sufficient quantity of said shellfish for their family use. 



The history of the quahaug industry of Yarmouth is one of decline. 

 The industry has existed for fifteen years, starting in 1892. Mr. Edgar 

 N. Baker, who has been interested in the business ever since it started, 

 says : 



In the last ten years it is safe to say that the catch has fallen off fully 

 75 per cent., and nothing but the constant advance in prices and lack of 

 profitable employment has prompted men to give their attention to this 

 method of obtaining their "bread and butter." The most conservative 

 estimate would not put it below 50 per cent. 



