[This essay was put together after Emerson's death from a number of commencement and similar addresses he had made. It appears in The Complete Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, edited by Edward Emerson].
Freshly shucked oysters can be immersed in water and placed in shallow, air-tight containers in the freezer. Freezer temperatures should be below zero degrees Fahrenheit. Oysters can be frozen for up to three months.
Clams need to breathe and should not be stored in an airtight bag or container. Store your clams in the refrigerator covered with a moist cloth. Approximate shelf life from date of harvest: Live Pacific Oyster: 10 to 14 days or more. Live Manila Clams: 7 days.