156 THE MOLLUSK FISHERIES 



oysterman; while the quahaugers have abundant cause to complain, 

 from the fact that practically all the available territory has been 

 granted to the oystermen. While it is true that scarcely a third of this 

 land is utilized for the cultivation of oysters, it is likewise true that the 

 rights of the oystermen are by no means strictly observed by the qua- 

 hauger. There can be but one result of this policy, endless wrangling 

 and confusion, and, in the end, loss to both parties. The unfortunate 

 thing about the whole matter is that most of this wastefulness is en- 

 tirely needless; but this is a problem for future legislation. 



Marion. 



The oyster industry at Marion is practically dead. The last grants 

 expired some ten or twelve years ago, and were never renewed. Of 

 the two original natural beds, that in Blankinship's Cove is now almost 

 entirely depleted, while the larger and more important bed in the 

 Weweantit River has greatly declined in importance. This bed, how- 

 ever, still supplies all the marketable oysters produced within the town, 

 though the annual production is insignificant. From twenty-five to 

 thirty years ago the oyster industry had its beginning, and for a time 

 flourished. Almost all the available territory, both in the harbor and 

 in the Weweantit River, was granted. The older grants were leased 

 for fifteen years, and those of later date were arranged to run out at 

 the same time; so it followed that all the leases expired simultaneously, 

 and the industry came to an abrupt end. These old grants were not 

 renewed, for two reasons: first, they had not paid very well; and, 

 secondly, the growing quahaug industry promised more lucrative returns. 

 The scallops, too, began to be abundant, and the old oyster business 

 gave way before its newer and more prosperous competitors. 



Fall River District. 



The Fall River district, comprising the six towns of Fall River, Free- 

 town, Berkley, Dighton, Somerset and Swansea, may best be treated 

 as a geographical unit. The oyster industries of the individual com- 

 munities overlap to a considerable extent, and make distinct separation 

 difficult, while, as the same methods of culture everywhere obtain and 

 the same problems and difficulties are encountered, a brief survey of 

 this whole region may be comprehensively discussed in one article. 



The beautiful shores of Mount Hope Bay and its tributary streams, 

 the Cole, Lee and Taunton rivers, furnish an extensive territory for 

 a large oyster industry. The best of this area is now included within 

 the confines of the bay itself, though the Cole and Lee rivers furnish a 

 small but valuable addition. The Taunton River, however, which thirty 

 years ago produced the finest oysters in the State, and was the main 

 source of supply for this district, has become utterly worthless for the 

 growth of marketable oysters. In fact, this river, with its curious 



