CHAPTER XX 



THE GROWTH OF THE SOFT CLAM AND 

 SOME NOTES ON CLAM CULTURE 



T has not been many years since it was the 

 habit of some to complain at the expenditure 

 of public money in the maintenance of 

 scientific departments by the federal govern- 

 ment. There was also much prejudice against state 

 agricultural schools. Scientific farming was scorned by 

 those who regarded themselves as practical farmers, and 

 no one else was much interested in experiments looking 

 toward the preservation of soils, the production of new 

 varieties of corn or wheat, and the warfare against in- 

 sect pests. A thousand problems, the solution of which 

 has now added untold wealth and comfort to the nation, 

 were once regarded as foolish speculations. Prejudice 

 has now been completely overcome, and every one is 

 familiar with the great practical achievements of 

 scientific workers in the U. S. Bureau of Agriculture, 

 and in the state experiment stations and schools. 



It has come to be understood also that fish commis- 

 sions, instead of existing merely to stock streams for 

 wealthy sportsmen, have worked wonders in the arti- 

 ficial propagation of fishes, and in saving many of them 

 from extermination. They have given their attention 

 also to other aquatic food animals. The aid which has 

 been given by the federal Bureau of Fisheries to various 



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