100 THE SCALLOP FISHERY 



were plentiful. These flats run nearly dry on low course tides, and 

 are covered with eel grass. Nearly every year there is a heavy set of 

 scallop seed, which, because of the exposed nature of the flats, is 

 wholly or partially destroyed. The entire set was destroyed in the win- 

 ter of 1904r-05, while 30 per cent, was lost in 1906-07. 



(4) On the flats just south of Liward Point was another bed of 

 scallops. 



(5) In the bend north of Inward Point scallops were plentiful. 



(6) On the northwest edge of the Common Flats scallops can be 

 dredged over an area of 160 acres at a depth of 5 fathoms. These 

 are of good size, opening 3% quarts to the bushel. 



(6) Harwich. — The scallop territory of Harwich covers an extensive 

 area on the south side of the town, and in some places extends for a 

 distance of from 2 to 3 miles out from shore. Usually the scallops are 

 found, as in the last season (1907-08), outside the bar, at a distance of 

 3 miles from shore, where they can be taken only by dredging from sail 

 or power boats. The intervening body of water sometimes contains a 

 few scallops in a quantity to make a commercial fishery. The total 

 area of the scallop grounds is about 3,200 acres. The bottom is mostly 

 sandy, with patches of eel grass. 



(c) Dennis. — The scallop grounds of Dennis and Yarmouth are 

 common property for the inhabitants of both towns, while other towns 

 are excluded from the fishery. The West Dennis scallopers fish mostly 

 on the Yarmouth flats at the mouth of Parker Eiver, and between Bass 

 and Parker rivers on the shore flats. There is also scalloping along the 

 shore on the Dennis grounds. These grounds are for the " pushers." 

 Dredging is carried on at Dennisport, and the boats cover a wide terri- 

 tory at some distance from the shore. The town possesses a large area, 

 which either has scattering scallops or is well stocked one year and 

 barren the next. Nearly 2,250 acres of available territory are included 

 in the waters of the town. The flats, which are of sand with thick or 

 scattering eel grass, according to the locality, afford a good bottom for 

 scallops. Were it not for the eel grass, the scallops would perish by 

 being washed on the shore by southerly winds. 



{d) Yarmouth. — The scallop grounds of Yarmouth are on the south 

 side of the town, on the flats which border the shore from Bass River to 

 Lewis Bay. Part of the waters of Lewis Bay belong to the town of 

 Yarmouth, and scallops are found over all this territory. The nature 

 of the bottom is the same as at Dennis and Barnstable. The total area 

 of scallop territory is estimated at 2,250 acres. The scallop grounds of 

 Dennis are open to Yarmouth scallopers. 



(e) Barnstable. — Although the scallop industry on the north coast 

 of the town is extinct, it still flourishes as of old on the south coast. 

 The bulk of the business is carried on here, and nearly all the shipments 

 are made from Hyannis and Cotuit. The grounds of Cotuit are quite 



