Dennis and Yarmouth.
The oyster industries of Dennis and Yarmouth are so connected that they will have to be considered as belonging to one town.
Four grants have been leased in the two towns, but only 2 of these are worked. Three grants are situated in Bass River, while the fourth, which is not operated, owing to the shifting sand, lies outside Dog Fish Bar. The 2 grants which are worked are situated in Bass River, and comprise an area of 10 acres of hard bottom, all of which is suitable for oyster culture. The Bass River grants, which are taxed at the valuation of $1,000 apiece, expire in 1914.
Mill Creek, in West Yarmouth, one of the most valuable shellfish areas in the town, originally contained a natural oyster bed which extended from the mouth of the creek up for 1,000 feet, comprising an area of 2-1/3 acres. Nevertheless, this was granted in 1895 for a period of ten years. Two years ago the lease expired, and it is said that the oysters have come in again in abundance.
All along the south shore of the two towns "seed" oysters, which have been washed out of Mill Creek, can be picked up. A small amount of "seed" is raised on the grants, but this is not enough to furnish the requisite amount required for planting purposes, so about 2,500 bushels is annually brought into the town from Oyster Bay, L. I.
No damage is done in these waters by the natural enemies of the oyster, as both the starfish and oyster drill are very scarce.
One thousand bushels of marketable oysters, valued at $1,500, were shipped in the season of 1906-07.
Three men are engaged for a period of seven and one-half months in the oyster industry.
| Capital invested, | $5,175 |
| Dories, | 2 |
| Value of dories, | $25 |
| Tongs, | 5 |
| Value of implements, | $50 |
| Value of shore property, | $100 |
| Value of bedded oysters, | $5,000 |
The oysters are taken by tonging from dories, as the water is comparatively shallow. No dredging is done.