148 THE MOLLUSK FISHERIES 



and at Marston's Mills. In addition, a large but indefinite territory 

 along the southern shore, as indicated on the map, is maintained as 

 experimental grants. 



Cotuit is by £ar the most important center of the industry. Here 

 the fishery is conducted on an extensive scale. The white, clean sandy 

 bottom and the remarkably pure waters of the bay produce an oyster 

 with a bright, clear shell, which distinguishes it from oysters grown 

 elsewhere. This Cotuit oyster is much sought for by hotels and fancy 

 dealers, and is universally considered par excellence among Massa- 

 chusetts oysters. 



Barnstable, though supporting an immense industry, has by no means 

 exhausted her latent resources. Extensive experiments to increase the 

 productive area of the town have been carried on for the past few 

 years. A strip of territory along the southern coast, some 4 miles 

 long and 3 miles wide, has been granted. This territory is of doubtful 

 utility, as the bottom is largely shifting sand exposed to the full force 

 of southerly gales. These grants have hardly been in force long enough 

 to demonstrate their possibilities, but it is probable that a large terri- 

 tory may be thoroughly suitable for the future expansion of the oyster 

 industry. 



Unfortunately, several oystermen did not make statistical returns, 

 thus rendering a complete record for the Barnstable oyster industry 

 impossible. The majority of the oystermen willingly responded, and 

 the present report comprises only those returns which have been sent in. 



The total area comprised by the grants, 29 in number, is 188 acres, 

 of which 121 acres are of hard bottom, suitable for oyster culture. 

 There is very little shifting bottom. The usual Cotuit bottom is a clear 

 sand, which is especially favorable for the production of fine oysters. 



Thirty-three men are employed from six to eight months each year 

 in the industry, which gave in 1906-07 a production of 25,850 bushels 

 of marketable oysters, valued at $48,050. Except for a small natural 

 oyster bed at Centerville, no " seed " is caught in Barnstable, and is 

 all brought from Long Island and Connecticut. Several firms plant 

 only large oysters, bedding them in the spring and taking them up 

 the following fall, when they have acquired the Cotuit flavor. 



Capital invested, $39,558 



Power boats, 4 



Value of power boats, $3,900 



Sail boats, 3 



Value of sail boats, $800 



Dories, 22 



Value of dories, $413 



Scows, 7 



Value of scows, $156 



Implements: — 



Dredges, 23 



Tongs, 45 



