Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-10-25
On a 'Possum Farm.


1t was in the early afternoon when
we arrived, and TO the uninitiated the
farm appeared TO be an immense
fruit orchard bearing an oblong,
whitish sort OF fruit hanging from toe
dead limbs of the trees by a long black
stem. But appearances were decep-
I tive. Ii was not fruit but between
seven and eight hundred 'possums
taking their afternoon siesta. Our
party was somewhat unacquainted
with the habits OF the Georgia pos
sum, and consequently piled question
after question TO our highly-amused
hosts. now consider myself an ex-
pert on the 'possum, and here is what
learned and saw:
The 'possum, when desiring TO take
nap, simply climbs the most conven-
| lent tree. walks out on a limb. wraps
his tail one and half times around
and swings his body out into space.
His legs and feet are drawn close into
his body and his head drawn up be-
tween his shoulders until IT, forms an
almost perfect ball and appears TO be
great pear covered with fur.
The sun was slowly setting below
the distant pine mountains, and we
were still gazing AT the queer objects
in amused wonder, when half dozen
little possums emerged from the
pocket of their mother, ran up her
and commenced playing on the limb
above. In few minutes this marsu-
pial stretched her head and then her
fore feet out. She swung herself once
or twice, grabbed her tail with her
forepaws, and climbed up il 10 the
limb, which she caught with her claws,
untwisted her tail and pulled up
Hardly had she balanced herself
when the half dozen young ones climb
ed into her pocket and were hid from
view. She then climbed down the
tree. While this was going Oh more
than seven hundred Others had awak.
eued and were coming down from the
trees. Reaching the ground each one
made for the creek, drank, and then
ran up the hill to pen in which they
were 10 be fed.
They were Of all sizes. Some would
barely weigh half pound, while
Others would tip the scales at thirty.
The 'possum when hungry uttersa
sound which is IA cross between new
and moan. Over seven hundred
possums were together 80 thick that
the ground could not be seen between
them, and the small ones had been
forced upon the backs OF the larger.
All were uttering this peculiar sound,
reminding one of an army OF soldiers
moaning over the death OF their gen
eral, when though the gate negro
pushed wheelbarrow, heaping full
Of all kinds Of trash and slops-con-
slsting Of fruit pealings, vegetables,
meats, bones and bread. As he hove
IN sight the scene among the 'possuns
reminded one Of feeding time la me
nagerie. The little ugly animals
screamed and bit nj one another until
the negro had scattered the contents
OF the wheelbarrow over the ground.
Then, although IL was well scattered,
all wanted TO eat in one place just
like hogs and there was considerable
more scratching and biting. But this
did not last long, for the rations were
soon consumed by the great drove of
possums, and they commenced todis-
perse, seemingly contented, and this
time climbed the persimmon trees.
During the persimmon season the
'possums are not fed at all, for It's on
this fruit they become rolling fat and
ready for market. Mr.. Throckmor-
ton will probably ship 800 10 Eastern
points and the cities throughout
Georgia this winter. They will av-
ererage him one dollar each, and he
makes quite IA good thing out OF IL, as
they are practically no expense to
him. In shipping to Atlanta and
Georgia points they are generally
dressed, but the majority 20 to Wash.
ington. perhaps due to the average
Southern CongressInan's fondness for
baked 'possum and 'taters."