In the last ten years it is safe to say that the catch has fallen off fully 75 per cent., and nothing but the constant advance in prices and lack of profitable employment has prompted men to give their attention to this method of obtaining their "bread and butter." The most conservative estimate would not put it below 50 per cent.
Summary of Industry.
| Area of quahaug territory (acres), | 1,000 |
| Number of men (transient), | 20 |
| Number of boats, | — |
| Value of boats, | — |
| Number of skiffs, | 10 |
| Value of skiffs, | $100 |
| Value of implements, | $140 |
Production.
| "Little necks":— | |
| Bushels, | 1,200 |
| Value, | $3,000 |
| Quahaugs:— | |
| Bushels, | 1,000 |
| Value, | $1,000 |
| Total:— | |
| Bushels, | 2,200 |
| Value, | $4,000 |
FOOTNOTES:
[7] "The Fisheries of Massachusetts," United States Fish Commission Report, Section II., p. 253.
[8] Returns of Special Agent Wm. C. Dunham.
[9] "The Oyster, Scallop, Clam, Mussel and Abalone Industries," by Ernest Ingersoll. United States Fish Commission Report, Section V., Vol. 2, p. 603.