The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-08-10
ON A 'POSSUM FARM,
Raising the Queer Animals BY Hundred
For the Market.

haisihg the Queer Animals by Hundreds
| For the Market.
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 the dead
limbs OF the trees by long black
stem. But appearances were decep-
tive. 1t 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 ques-
ton after question to our highly
amused hosts. now consider myself
an expert 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 limb, wraps
his tall one and a 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 white 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
tail and commenced playing on the
limb above. In a few minutes this
marsupial stretched her head and
then her fore feet out. She swung
herself once or twice. grabbed her tail
with her forepaws, and climbed up it
to the limb, which she caught with
her claws, UNFINISHED her tail and
pulled up. Hardly had she balanced
herself when the half dozen young
ones climbed into her pocket and were
hid from view. She then climbed
down the tree. While this was going
on more than seven hundred others
had awakened 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 to 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, utters sound
which is a cross between a NEW and a
moan. Over seven hundred 'possums
were together so 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 ut
tering this peculiar sound, reminding
one of an army of soldiers moaning
over the death of their general, when
through the gate negro pushed
wheelbarrow, heaping full of all kinds
of trash and slops-consisting of fruit
pealings, vegetables. meats, bones and
bread. AS he hove in sight the scene
among the 'possums reminded one of
feeding time in a menagerie. The
little ugly animals screamed and
scratched and bit ut one another until
the negro had scattered the contents
of the wheelbarrow over the ground.
Then, although it 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 to dis
perse. seemengly contented, and this
time climbed the persimmon trees.
During the persimmon season the pos
sums are not fed at all, for it is on this
fruit they become rolling fat and ready
for market. Mr.. Throckmorton will
probably ship 500 to Eastern points
and the cities throughout Georgia this
winter. They will average him one
dollar each, and he makes quite
good thing out of it, as they are prac-
tically no expense to him. In shipping
to Atlanta and Georgia points they
are generally dressed. but the majority
go to Washington and are shipped
alive. The large shipments to Wash
ington are perhaps due to the average
Southern Congressman's fondness for
"baked 'possum and Eaters. Griffin
GA Cor. Atlanta Constitution.