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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR. 



BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



Economic Circular No. 1 :::::::::: Issued February 13, 1912 



MUSSEL BEDS OF THE CUMBERLAND RIVER IN 1911.^ 



As part of a series of such investigations by the Bureau of Fish- 

 eries, the mussel beds of the Cumberland River were examined in 

 1911 with reference to the quality and quantity of their yield of 

 shells. For information of mussel fishermen, pearl-button manu- 

 facturers, and other persons especially interested in the subject the 

 principal results of the examination are summarized in the following 

 preliminary report. 



LOCATION AND PRODUCTIVITY OF BEDS. 



The Cumberland Eiver rises in the extreme southeastern corner of 

 Kentucky, flows westerly through portions of Kentucky and Tennes- 

 see, and empties into the Ohio at Smithland, Ky. It is navigable 

 during high water from its mouth to Bumside, a distance of 525 

 miles, and a system of locks in process of construction will make 

 navigation possible during the entire year. 



Cumberland Falls, in Whitley County, Ky., form an impassable 

 barrier for mussels and much of the other life in the river, and 

 above the falls the ladyfinger {TJnio gihhostis)^ which has no com- 

 mercial value, is practically the only species. The lower river, from 

 the pool at the foot of the falls to the mouth, abounds with mussels, 

 as do all the tributaries. From Cumberland Falls to Celina, Tenn. 

 (175 miles), mussels are fairl}^ abundant and the beds are well dis- 

 tributed, but the percentage of unmerchantable shells, small species 

 and " pinks," is too high, and there is no clamming for button-making 

 purposes, though pearling is carried on in many places with good 

 success. The best beds for commercial purposes are those at Indian 

 Creek Bar, where the southern mucket is quite abundant; Selfs Bar, 



1 By Charles B. Wilson and IT. Walton Clark, whose complete report will be published 

 by the Bureau later. 

 27196—12 



