The wealthy summer residents at Marion create a demand for clams at a very substantial price. In spite of the increased price, there is little inducement to engage in this industry as a livelihood, and only 1 man digs steadily through the summer months, though intermittent digging is done by others to supply the local market.
The best clamming is on the east coast of Great Neck and in Wing's Cove. These grounds are difficult of access, and consequently have not been so much overworked as the nearer shores of Ram's Island, Allan's Point and Blankinship's Cove. The total area does not exceed 10 acres, and this for the most part is very poor territory; while the clams coming from these rock and gravel beaches are not of very good quality, the shells being usually gnarled and crooked.
There is no town legislation relating to this industry, and though it is becoming of less consequence every year, nothing is done to revive it.
Summary of Industry.
| Number of men, | 1 |
| Capital invested, | $15 |
| Production, 1907:— | |
| Bushels, | 100 |
| Value, | $100 |
| Total area (acres):— | |
| Sand, | — |
| Mud, | — |
| Gravel, | 10 |
| Mussels and eel grass, | — |
| Total, | 10 |
| Productive area (acres):— | |
| Good clamming, | — |
| Scattering clams, | 10 |
| Barren area possibly productive (acres), | — |
| Waste barren area (acres), | — |
| Possible normal production, | $2,000 |
Mattapoisett.
The coast of Mattapoisett, more open and exposed than that of Fairhaven, does not offer equal advantages to the cultivation of clams. A similar strip of gravel-mud or sand occurs along the more sheltered portions of the coast, and wherever an indentation in the mainland offers shelter clams may be found, though never in sufficient quantities to make digging profitable. There is really no industry at all; the few clams that are dug go for home trade or are used as bait, and the prospects of any decided improvement appear to be slight.
Summary of Industry.
| Number of men, | 1 |
| Capital invested, | $15 |
| Production, 1907:— | |
| Bushels, | 100 |
| Value, | $100 |
| Total area (acres):— | |
| Sand, | — |
| Mud, | 5 |
| Gravel, | 5 |
| Mussels and eel grass, | — |
| Total, | 10 |
| Productive area (acres):— | |
| Good clamming, | — |
| Scattering clams, | 10 |
| Barren area possibly productive (acres), | — |
| Waste barren area (acres), | — |
| Possible normal production, | $2,000 |