101 THE MOLLUSK FISHERIES 



while the sail boats carry but one man. Eleven sail and 15 power boats, 

 employing 39 men, are engaged in the fishery. 



Two kinds of dredges are used, the " scraper " for scalloping in the 

 eel grass and the "slider" for clean surface. The depth of water 

 over the scallop beds is not more than 18 feet, necessitating 10V2 fathoms 

 of rope. The price of a dredge, including rope, is about $3, which is 

 cheaper than in the Buzzards Bay towns. Each power boat uses six 

 to eight, which are held out by " spreaders," poles extending from the 

 sides of the boat, in order that the dredges may cover more ground 

 and not trail behind one another. 



The greater part of the scalloping is done by power, and, in spite 

 of the extra cost of nearly 90 cents per day, the proportionate increase 

 makes this method more profitable; it is claimed to increase the catch 

 about one-third. Scalloping with power necessitates the services of 

 two men, as one man has to cull while the other steers. At the end 

 of the " drift " the boat is stopped, and both men cull. With sail, 

 culling can be done when dredges are overboard. When two men scal- 

 lop, the owner of the boat takes three-fifths while his partner shares 

 two-fifths of the profit. 



Twenty-five to 30 openers prepare the scallop for market during 

 the afternoons and evenings. These are paid at the rate of 25 cents 

 per gallon, and average about $1.50 per day, a good opener cutting 

 out a gallon of " eyes " in an hour. Small scallops open 700 " eyes " 

 per gallon; the larger ones, 500. 



The 1907-08 season was successful, as the scallops were plentiful, the 

 daily catch per boat running between 5 and 50 bushels. About 17,000 

 gallons, valued at $22,270, were shipped between Oct. 1, 1907, and 

 April 1, 1908. 



Shipments are made mostly to the New York market; a very few to 

 Boston market. The freight charges on a keg, which weighs about 70 

 pounds, is 55 cents. In warm weather scallops are sent by express, 

 the charges being 80 cents. The scallops are packed in butter tubs 

 of large size, averaging from 6 to 7 gallons, and costing 8 cents apiece. 

 These are obtained second hand from the grocery stores at New Bed- 

 ford. The tubs are packed full and closed tightly. By the time the 

 scallops arrive at market they are reduced in quantity by the jarring, 

 in warm weather from 7 to 6 gallons, and in cold from 7 to G 1 /^. Re- 

 turns from the market are made in about a week. Scallops can be held 

 back for better prices three to four days in warm weather, and about 

 seven in cold. 



CAPITAL INVESTED. 



Value of power boats, $5,250 



Value of sail boats, 2,750 



Value of gear, 550 



Total, ............ $8,550 



