CLAM AND SCALLOP INDUSTRIES 613 



recent years, these visitors, during their stay, probably have caused 

 an increase in the demand for clams. It is a curious fact, however, 

 that, while in New England the soft clam is used extensively during 

 the summer months, in the popular clambake, there is very little 

 demand for it anywhere on Long Island during that season. There 

 the hard clam, or " little-neck," is in favor, and is used, too, in 

 great numbers. It is probable, then, that on no part of the island 

 does the influx of summer residents greatly stimulate the digging 

 of the soft clam. However that may be, clams are certainly being* 

 dug much too rapidly in this region. 



On following the coast eastward from Sag Harbor, to Fort pond 

 bay, many small bays and inlets appear which are among the most 

 favorable localities on the entire coast for the growth of the soft 

 clam. Such a place as Napeague harbor, for example, contains a 

 supply so great that it has been regarded as being inexhaustible. 

 Comparatively few clams from this part of the island are sent to 

 New York. Very many are marketed at New London and other 

 New England centers for distribution. A great number, also, are 

 used for bait by fishermen. It was stated that one vessel recently 

 was able to secure at Napeague about three hundred bushels in a 

 short visit, for such a purpose, and that this amount has been re- 

 peatedly taken. If such reports are true, the supply is still great; 

 but at all points on this coast it is the almost universal testimony that 

 the beds are being depleted and ruined at a surprisingly rapid rate. 

 This condition has come about during the last two years, and is 

 causing great concern. Measures should now be taken, before there 

 is an actual destruction of the industry here, to conserve the sup- 

 ply of this remarkably productive region. With a little knowledge 

 of the life history, the habits and needs of the clam, with little labor 

 and a small outlay of capital, this can be accomplished easily, as we 

 shall attempt to show later. 



On the south side of the island, from Montauk point to Rockaway 

 beach, is a straight reach of sand on which the surf continually rolls. 

 On this exposed sea side, the conditions are nowhere favorable for 

 the growth of either the soft or hard clam. The sand, however, 

 forms a great spit which shuts in several large bodies of water, leav- 



