OF MASSACHUSETTS. 197 



The flats of the Mystic River, which are of a tenacious mud rather 

 unwholesome in appearance, in so far as they have not been encroached 

 upon . for building purposes, possess scattered patches of very good 

 digging, and furnish transient employment to 20 or more men. The 

 flats in the Charles and Chelsea rivers likewise furnish fair clamming. 



(2) The south shore of the harbor is much like the north, except that 

 the mud type of soil predominates. The large flats, mainly mud, are 

 not entirely barren though most of the clams are found in a narrow 

 strip of beach along the shore. At South Boston as well as in Dor- 

 chester Bay clams are found in considerable numbers, though nowhere 

 are there any large areas of good clamming. 



(3) The islands in the harbor are fringed with pebbly beach, where 

 scattering clams are usually found. Apple Island and Governor's 

 Island are surrounded with quite extensive flats, which are, however, 

 but sparsely productive. Much digging for bait is carried on con- 

 stantly on these pebbly beaches. 



History. — Boston harbor has been in the past a good clamming 

 region, as the magnitude of its available flats has rendered possible 

 an extensive production. Naturally, the closing of the harbor by the 

 State Board of Health has limited the annual production of clams 

 from this vicinity, as now the only legal digging is for bait. Owing 

 to this partial closed season the clams are said to have been on the 

 increase during the last two years. Nevertheless, before the passage 

 of this act the fishery had already greatly declined. The decline of 

 the clam industry has been going on for years, as even in 1879 Mr. 

 Ernest IngersoU mentions : — 



In Boston harbor olams are much depleted, owing to the fact that they 

 are remorselessly dug the year through, chiefly by a class of ignorant 

 foreigners who go down the harbor for the purpose. July and August are 

 the most productive months, there being a large demand for the " clam 

 hakes " which picnic parties from the cities indulge in on the various 

 beaches. All the clams got in Boston harbor are very small, because they 

 are allowed little chance to grow; in March and April they are hardly 

 worth eating. 



Comparison with 1879. 



1S97. 190r. 



Number of men, 90 350 



Annual production: — 



Bushels, 40,000 7,500 



Value, $20,000 $6,000 



Number of dories, 50 - 



Capital invested, $1,350 $2,250 



In 1879 A. Howard Clark states : — 



The towns around Boston usually charge a license fee of $2 a year for 

 the privilege of taking clams. The clams are in some cases bought up by 



