| Production. | 1879. | 1907. |
|---|---|---|
| Bushels, | 2,253 | 400 |
| Value, | $872 | $350 |
Summary of Industry.
| Number of men, | 4 |
| Capital invested, | $40 |
| Production, 1907:— | |
| Bushels, | 400 |
| Value, | $350 |
| Total area (acres):— | |
| Sand, | 150 |
| Mud, | 25 |
| Gravel, | 25 |
| Mussels and eel grass, | — |
| Total, | 200 |
| Productive area (acres):— | |
| Good clamming, | 5 |
| Scattering clams, | 15 |
| Barren area possibly productive (acres), | 130 |
| Waste barren area (acres), | 50 |
| Possible normal production, | $18,000 |
Edgartown.
Although Edgartown possesses 200 acres of clam flats, it is not in a true sense a clam-producing town. The reason for this small production is due to the nature of the flats, which are mostly under water at low tide, making clamming difficult. Naturally Edgartown devotes its energies to the more profitable quahaug and scallop fisheries.
The clam flats of the town are situated along the shores of Cape Poge Pond and in the lower part of Katama Bay, where many acres of flats are continually submerged. The shore flats are of small area, owing to the light rise and fall of the tide, less than 3 feet at this part of the coast.
(1) Cape Poge Pond.—Scattering clams are found all along the shore flats, except for a ¾-mile strip on the west side. The soil is of a coarse sand or gravel.
(2) Katama Bay.—The best clam flats of the town are situated in Katama Bay, and extend over a considerable territory. These flats, consisting of a coarse, sandy soil, lie continually submerged. Here the clams are dug by means of a "sea horse." This "animal" is nothing more than an elongated clam hoe with a belt attachment, whereby the clammer can "churn" out the clams at a depth of 2 to 3 feet.
The clam industry of Edgartown has fallen off considerably since 1879. However, the clammers say that it has improved during the last fifteen years. The following comparison is made between the production of 1879 and 1907:—