=========================+======================+====================== | 1879. | 1907. -------------------------+----------------------+---------------------- Annual production, |1,800, |33,000. | | Annual value, |$990, |$41,250. | | Average price per bushel,|55 cents, |$1.25. | | Number of men, |5, |145. | | Capital, |$800, |$25,950. | | Market, |Boston and New York, |New York, Boston, | |and other cities. | | Season, |April 1 to October 1, |April 1 to October 1. | | Boats, |5 sail boats, |100 boats, one-third | |power, two-thirds | |sail. | | Deepest water, |8 feet, |40 feet. | | Longest rake, |23 feet, |47 feet. | | Best quahaug beds, |West side of harbor, |Channel. =========================+======================+====================== From the account of Mr. Ingersoll the above table has been formulated, showing the vast increase in the quahaug business of Wellfleet since 1879, as well as certain changes in the industry. This by no means proves that the quahaug industry is on the increase; it merely shows that it has taken a tremendous development since 1879, and the fact that the quahaug industry of Wellfleet has passed its maximum production a few years ago and is now on the decline should not be overlooked in consulting this table, which otherwise would give an erroneous impression. The changing of the quahaug grounds from shallow to deeper water alone is a sign of the decline of the industry. The quahaug industry has developed to its present extent only since 1894, and is comparatively recent. By the opening of the great beds of "little necks" and quahaugs in the channel and deep water the industry suddenly became important. SUMMARY OF INDUSTRY.