The regulation of the industry by city ordinance is of very little note. Practically the only legislation pertaining to it is the law which requires every clammer to have a permit, but even this regulation is but indifferently enforced. The Newbury flats are likewise free to the Newburyport clammers, and part of the Newburyport production comes from these outside flats. The history of the clam industry at Newburyport is one of constant change. Twenty years ago large areas on southwest Joppa were practically barren; now they are quite productive. The reverse is true of Ball's flat on Plum Island, which, though once of great importance, is now almost waste. Though no serious inroads have as yet been made, a slow but steady decline in the industry is distinctly noticeable. COMPARISON OF 1907 WITH 1879 (SALISBURY AND NEWBURYPORT). =======+============+=========+======+==========+========== | | | | | YEAR. | Production | Value. | Men. | Capital. | Price | (Bushels). | | | | per | | | | | Bushel. =======+============+=========+======+==========+========== | | | | | 1879, | 28,800 | $11,520 | 60 | $750 | $0.40 | | | | | 1907, | 70,500 | 77,500 | 241 | 3,325 | 1.10 =======+============+=========+======+==========+========== SUMMARY OF INDUSTRY. Number of men, 175 Capital invested, $2,700 Production, 1907:-- Bushels, 55,500 Value, $61,000 Total area (acres):-- Sand, 150 Mud, 930 Gravel, - Mussels and eel grass, - Total, 1,080 Productive area (acres):-- Good clamming, 800 Scattering clams, 280 Barren area possibly productive (acres), - Waste barren area (acres), - Possible normal production, $250,000 _Newbury._ The town of Newbury has in itself no shellfish industry, although there is an extensive area of suitable flats which are worked with equal rights by the Newburyport clammers. These flats comprise some 360 acres, and extend along both sides of Plum Island Sound and Parker River. Over 100 acres of scattering clams occur, though not in sufficient quantities for the most part to make very profitable digging. The remainder, some 260 acres, though almost all suitable for the production of large quantities of clams, is practically barren.