rl94 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



George G. Scott of Columbia university spent a part of the 

 spring and summer on Long Mand in the study of the habits 

 and spawning periods of some of the salt-water food fishes. This 

 subject is considered to be one of great importance, and will be 

 further investigated next season. Mr Scott's report is appended. 



Edible mollusks 



For a number of years it has been manifest that the clam and 

 scallop industries in the state of New York were failing. The 

 decline in production, not strikingly apparent in some localities, 

 has been very noticeable in others. During the last two years, 

 the failure on certain parts of the coast has become alarming. 

 At the same time, practically all of the coast of New England, 

 with the exception of the state of Maine, which etill produces a 

 large number of soft clams, has suffered a practical annihilation 

 of its clam and scallop industries. The demand for these shell- 

 fish is rapidly growing, and the prices are increasing. 



Kecognizing the importance of these facts and believing that 

 a direct investigation of the shores of Long Island was essential, 

 Dr James L. Kellogg of Williams college, the leading specialist 

 under the U. S. fish commisision in the study of the edible clams 

 and scallops, was engaged to spend a part of September in visit- 

 ing the various points on Long Island which are centers of pro- 

 duction for these forms, to determine the condition of these 

 industries. 



His report, which is of much value, and of which a synopsis 

 follows, appears as bulletin 43. 



This investigation began at the eastern end of the island in 

 the region of Sag Harbor. Within a radius of several miles of 

 that town, both hard and soft clams were found to be practically 

 exterminated, though previously very abundant. It was found 

 that the waters of Shelter Island still produced many clams, but 

 that the supply had also recently fallen off rapidly. 



The southern shore of Gardiners bay was next followed as far 

 east as Fort Pond bay. Information was everywhere obtained 

 from marketmen and clam-diggers, the beds in certain localities 



