A Report upon the Mollusk Fisheries of MassachusettsMassachusetts. Commissioners on Fisheries and Game
Science
A Report upon the Mollusk Fisheries of Massachusetts
Massachusetts. Commissioners on Fisheries and Game
Shellfish fisheries -- Massachusetts
The quahaug season can be divided arbitrarily into three parts: (1)
spring; (2) summer; (3) fall. The spring season lasts from April 1 to
June 15, the summer season from June 15 to September 15, and the fall
season from September 15 to November 1. These seasons are marked by an
increase in the number of quahaugers in the spring and fall. The men
who do summer boating quahaug in the spring before the summer people
arrive, and in the fall after the summer season is over. The opening
of the scallop season, in towns that are fortunate enough to possess
both industries, marks the closing of the quahaug season. These two
industries join so well, scalloping in the winter and quahauging in the
summer, that a shellfisherman has work practically all the year.
_The Principal Markets._--The principal markets for the sale of
Massachusetts quahaugs are Boston and New York. In 1879 the Boston
market, according to Mr. Ernest Ingersoll, sold comparatively few. At
the present time the Boston market disposes of many thousand bushels
annually, but nevertheless the greater part of the Massachusetts
quahaugs are shipped to New York. This, again, is due to the better
market prices offered by that city. Besides passing through these two
main channels, quahaugs are shipped direct from the coast dealers to
various parts of the country, especially the middle west. This last
method seems to be on the increase, and the future may see a large
portion of the quahaug trade carried on by direct inland shipments.
_Shipment._--Quahaugs are shipped either in second-hand sugar or flour
barrels or in bushel bags. The latter method is fast gaining popularity
with the quahaugers and dealers, owing to its cheapness, and is now
steadily used in some localities. When quahaugs are shipped in barrels,
holes are made in the bottom and sides of the barrel, to allow free
circulation of air and to let the water out, while burlap is used
instead of wooden heads.
"_Culls._"--Several culls are made for the market. These vary in number
in different localities and with different firms, but essentially are
modifications of the three "culls" made by the quahaugers: (1) "little
necks;" (2) "sharps;" (3) "blunts." The divisions made by the firm of
A. D. Davis & Co. of Wellfleet are as follows: (1) "little necks,"
small, 1½-2¼ inches; large, 2¼-3 inches; (2) medium "sharps," 3-3¾
inches; (3) large "sharps," 3¾ inches up; (4) small "blunts;" (5) large
"blunts."
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