OF MASSACHUSETTS. 149 



Value of implements, $1,139 



Value of shore property, $4,300 



Value of oysters on grant, $28,850 



The oyster industry of Mashpee is rather limited. Five grants 

 exist in the west channel of Popponesset River, covering practically 

 all the territory. Only about 5 to 10 acres of this territory is suitable 

 for oyster culture. The ground granted for oysters is used indis- 

 criminately for quahauging and scalloping, and seems to be almost 

 public property. 



But one man is engaged in the oyster business, and he rarely ships 

 any, but peddles them around the community. No " seed " is caught. 

 Starfish and oyster drills are very scarce. A cat boat, dory and tongs 

 constitute the capital invested, which is valued at $200. The annual 

 production is valued at $100. 



Falmouth. 



The oyster industry of Falmouth is conducted on the south side of 

 the town, in the waters of Waquoit Bay. There are no oysters on 

 the Buzzards Bay side of the town. 



According to the town records, there are 22 grants in existence. 

 These grants are mostly small, not averaging more than 2 to 10 acres, 

 and are but little cultivated. Returns from 6 of these grants, which 

 comprise all the territory worked for market, are alone used for the 

 statistical figures. 



The best oyster territory is in Waquoit Bay and Child's River. In 

 Waquoit Bay 6 acres are granted, 4% acres of which is hard bottom, 

 suitable for oyster culture. In Child's River the grants comprise 20 

 acres, two-thirds of which, or 13 acres, is hard bottom. Altogether, 

 some 44 acres are granted, and, although a good deal of the surface is 

 muddy, there are 23 acres of very fair oyster ground. 



No business is made of raising " seed," but from two' to three year 

 old " seed " is shipped from Greenport, L. I., and replanted. 



In 1906-07, 3,012 bushels of marketable oysters, valued at $6,025, 

 were shipped. Many of the grants are leased to men who raise oysters 

 for their own use only, while but few make a business of shipping 

 oysters. 



The only enemy is the oyster drUl, which does but slight damage here. 



Three men are engaged for nine months each year in the oyster in- 

 dustry at Falmouth; while 5 or more run grants for their own use. 



Capital invested, $3,080 



Power boats, ........... 1 



Value of power boats, $800 



Sail boats, 1 



Value of sail boats, $250 



Dories, 4 



Value of dories, $75 



