OF MASSACHUSETTS. 209 



interfering somewhat with summer clam bakes, the law appears to meet 

 the approval of the townspeople. 



The south shore of Barnstable possesses many of the features of 

 Buzzards Bay, and produces clams only in numbers sufficient for home 

 consumption. 



SUMMARY OF INDUSTRY. 



Number of men, 25 



Capital invested, $200 



Value of shore property, 



Production, 1907 : 



Bushels, . 700 



Value, $550 



Total area (acres) : 



Sand, 200 



Mud, 150 



Gravel, 



Mussels and eel grass, ........ 50 



Total, 400 



Productive area (acres) : 



Good clamming, .......... 10 



Scattering clams, 10 



Barren area possibly productive (acres), ...... 330 



Waste barren area (acres), 50 



Possible normal production, ........ $39,000 



Yarmouth. 



The clam industry at Yarmouth, never extensive, has steadily declined, 

 until now it barely supplies the demands of home consumption. Barn- 

 stable bar on the northern coast twenty years ago produced clams in 

 considerable quantities, but the soil was never well adapted for this 

 shellfish. Scattering clams are now found there, but the grounds are 

 very much exposed, and cannot properly rank as clam-producing area. 

 Sea clams abound there at certain seasons, and furnish a transient 

 business; also razor clams, which are used extensively for bait. 



The best clam territory is in Mill Creek, on the south shore of the 

 town. Scattered patches of clams also occur along the shore of Bass 

 River, but the whole area really available does not exceed 50 acres, 

 and this is not at all well improved. There are no regular clammers, 

 but intermittent digging produces about 600 bushels of clams annually, 

 which are used either for home consumption or for bait. 



No effort has been made on the part of the town authorities to better 

 conditions, although the advisability of giving clam grants, at least 

 on the northern or bay side, has been discussed. No permits are 

 required, and local legislation does not in any way concern itself with 

 the clam industry. 



