168 THE MOLLUSK FISHERIES 



Is Clam Farming Practical? — Clam farming is not a theory but 

 an established fact. Clams will grow if planted in suitable places, 

 and will yield large returns. For three years the Commission of 

 Fisheries and Game have made numerous experiments in clam farming 

 in many seacoast towns. They have not only proved its complete 

 practicability, but have also shown that large profits result from suc- 

 cessful planting. Records are on file at the State House showing the 

 exact results of these experimental farms, which indicate the future 

 success of clam farming. 



Besides the experiments of the Commission on Fisheries and Game, 

 successful clam farming is now being carried on in several towns of the 

 State. The leading town in this line is Essex, where at least 15 grants 

 are held by the clammers. The only protection given is based upon 

 public sentiment, which, however, is suflScient to insure the success of 

 the enterprise. All these grants were staked out on flats which were 

 producing no clams when granted, although part of this area was once 

 very productive. So far these grants have proved most successful, thus 

 proving by actual experience that clam farming is a worthy rival of 

 agriculture. 



Historical Attempts at Clam Farming. — Clam farming has been in 

 existence for years. The first record of any legislation upon this sub- 

 ject is found in an act to regulate the clam fishery in and aroimd the 

 shores of Pljmiouth, Kingston and Duxbury in 1870, whereby a license 

 was granted for a term not exceeding five years to any inhabitant of 

 these towns to plant, cultivate and dig clams. This license cost $2.50, 

 and gave the exclusive use of the flats and creeks described to the 

 licensee and his heirs during the time specified, and also the right in an 

 action of tort to recover treble damages from any person who, without 

 his consent, dug or took clams from said grant. Evidently nothing was 

 done to follow out this law, which was soon forgotten. 



In 1874 an act was passed to regulate the shellfisheries (including 

 clams) in the waters of Mount Hope Bay and its tributaries. The 

 terms of this act were practically the same as the Plymouth act, the 

 only difference being the substitution of the word shellfish for clam. 



In 1888 an act was passed by the town of Winthrop, authorizing the 

 planting of clams on the shores of that town. The grant was to consist 

 of not over 2 acres of barren flats, situated more than 500 feet from 

 high-water mark. The other provisions of this act were the same as 

 those of the Plymouth act of 1870. 



The most important clam culture law was passed in 1888. This 

 authorized the planting of clams on the shores of Essex. Here the 

 provisions of the law were followed out, and the first energetic attempt 

 at clam farming started. The law, the provisions of which were nearly 

 the same as the previous laws, reads as follows : — 



