The winter clam fishery of Chatham was once an important industry, which started in 1875 when clams were in great demand as fish bait. The following table shows how this industry has declined:-- =============================+=========+========= | 1879. | 1907. -----------------------------+---------+--------- Number of men, | 150 | 10 Annual production (bushels), | 35,000 | 1,500 Value of production, | $12,250 | $1,200 Price per bushel (cents), | 35 | 80 Capital invested, | $2,000 | $400 =============================+=========+========= Owing to the large amount of clams dug by fishing vessels, the following restrictions were incorporated in 1881 as a State law, which reads as follows:-- No fisherman or any other person shall take from the towns of Chatham and Nantucket any shellfish, for bait or other use, except clams and a shellfish commonly known by the name of horse feet, and no quantity exceeding seven bushels of clams, including shells or one hundred of said horse feet shall be taken in one week for each vessel or craft, nor in any case without a permit being first obtained from the selectmen of the town. SUMMARY OF INDUSTRY. Number of men, 10 Capital invested, $400 Production, 1907:-- Bushels, 1,500 Value, $1,200 Total area (acres):-- Sand, 330 Mud, 10 Gravel, 20 Mussels and eel grass, - Total, 360 Productive area (acres):-- Good clamming, 10 Scattering clams, 50 Barren area possibly productive (acres), 300 Waste barren area (acres), - Possible normal production, $44,000 _Harwich._ The town of Harwich possesses but little clam area. A few clams are obtainable on the shores of Pleasant Bay and Mud Creek in limited localities, while in the southern waters of the town there is some digging in Wychmere harbor and in Herring River. The total area of clam flats is not more than 1½ acres. There are no regular clammers engaged in the business, all the clams dug being used only for home consumption. In 1905 there was a town law restricting the digging in Wychmere harbor, except for bait, to one day in the week. COMPARISON OF 1907 WITH 1879.