Essex
Essex, while still ranking as an important clam-producing town, has a very imperfect development of her shellfish resources. The total clam flat area comprises some 650 acres, and, though scarcely more than 25 acres can be considered as unfit for the growth of clams, and consequently barren, only a little more than half the remainder is at all productive, and of this probably less than 150 acres yields any financial return. In other words, 325 acres of good clam flat is allowed to remain practically barren.
The main type of soil is sand, and nearly 500 acres may be properly classed under this head. The remaining 150 acres are mud, and are located in the creeks along the river and in the coves north of Hog Island. The productive sections are scattered for the most part along both sides of the Essex River, and well-developed areas are also found at its mouth and on the Spit. There are several good locations of seed clams. One section of about 25 acres occurs on the west side of the Spit. This is composed of 1 to 2 inch clams, running 10 to 40 per square foot. At the mouth of the river on the north side occurs another set of ½-inch clams, covering about 10 acres. On the flats west of Cross Island is found a third set of ½ to 2 inch clams, comprising about 30 acres. Other smaller patches of set are scattered along the river almost up to its source.
About 50 men derive an income from these flats. Some $1,200 is invested, and the annual product exceeds 15,000 bushels, valued at $12,750.
The town of Essex has realized the importance of the clam problem, and has attempted through legislation to deal with it. The selectmen are empowered to grant to citizens of the town an area consisting of an acre or less on flats already barren, for the purpose of raising clams, and in this manner partially restock the flats. A rental of $2 is charged, covering a period of five years, and an additional fee of 50 cents is required for recording. In spite of inadequate protection, the experiment has been conducted long enough to prove that these flats can be made profitable to the clammers.
The history of the clam industry at Essex is one of extensive decline. There is every reason to believe that the greater part at least of the waste area was once very productive. Prof. James L. Kellogg in the United States Fish Commission Bulletin for 1899, says:—
We have much evidence that the clam industry in Essex has, in the past, been extensive.... Much more testimony of a similar character may be had to show that the flats once very productive have almost entirely failed.
Comparison of 1907 with 1879.
| 1879. | 1907. | |
|---|---|---|
| Production (bushels), | 500 | 15,000 |
| Value, | $4,500 | $12,750 |
| Men, | 75 | 50 |
| Capital, | — | $1,200 |
| Price (cents), | 40 | 85 |
Summary of Industry.
| Number of men, | 50 |
| Capital invested, | $1,200 |
| Production, 1907:— | |
| Bushels, | 15,000 |
| Value, | $12,750 |
| Total area (acres):— | |
| Sand, | 500 |
| Mud, | 125 |
| Gravel, | — |
| Mussels and eel grass, | 25 |
| Total, | 650 |
| Productive area (acres):— | |
| Good clamming, | 150 |
| Scattering clams, | 150 |
| Barren area possibly productive (acres), | 325 |
| Waste barren area (acres), | 25 |
| Possible normal production, | $120,000 |