144 THE MOLLUSK FISHERIES 



Eastham. 



The oyster industry of Eastham is closely associated with the Well- 

 fleet industry, and practically all the business is carried on by Well- 

 fleet firms. 



The grants extend along the western shore from the Eastham- Well- 

 fleet line south, running out into the bay a distance of 1 mile. The 

 average width of these grants is 900 feet. Twenty-four grants have 

 been given out by the selectmen, but only 12 of these are in existence 

 at the present time, the others having lapsed for non-payment of dues. 

 (The town charges $3 for the original grant, and $1 each year there- 

 after). The area of the grants is 800 acres, of which only 125 acres 

 are under cultivation. As all the business, which is but small, is done 

 by Wellfleet firms, the statistics of the industry are included in the 

 Wellfleet report. All the grants, as at Wellfleet, expire in 1910. 



Orleans. 



There are 5 grants on the west coast of the town, but practically 

 nothing is done in the oyster business. The oyster industry of Orleans is 

 a dead issue, and quahaugers dig at will over all the granted territory. 



The grants are all eight to nine years old, and will not be renewed, 

 as they are said to be unconstitutional, since the waters of Eastham 

 and Orleans are common, and the consent of Eastham was not ob- 

 tained when they were granted. The real reason for not renewing 

 them will be because they are not profitable. The sand shifts on 

 a good deal of the territory, and where the water is too deep for 

 shifting, oyster culture does not seem to pay. 



Four years ago 15,000 bushels of two-year-old "seed" was sent 

 here from Connecticut. The greater part of this " seed " died in 

 transportation, and much of the remainder was killed by the shifting 

 sand. Two years ago (1905) 3,000 bushels of marketable oysters were 

 shipped from Orleans; but little has been done since then. No set 

 has ever been caught here, although spat catches readily on the rocks 

 which lie between the tide lines. 



Chatham. 



The oyster furnishes an important industry for the town of Chat- 

 ham, which ranks next to Wellfleet and Cotuit in the production of 

 " Cape " oysters. 



The oyster grants are all situated in Oyster Pond and Oyster Pond 

 River, covering an area of 65 acres of excellent bottom. Of this, 55 

 acres is hard bottom; 6 acres, soft mud; and 4 acres of coarse shifting 

 sand. The whole of Oyster JPond River and the most of the shore 

 waters of Oyster Pond are taken up by grants. The central part of 

 Oyster Pond possesses a soft bottom, and is therefore unsuited for 



