Connecticut western news., 1889-07-17
A UNIQUE FARM.
A Georgia Farmer Who Raises
 Opossums for Market.
More Than Seven Hundred of
 the Animals on His Place.

A few miles west of Griffin, Ga., is the home of MT. William Throckmorton. MT. Throckmorton, says letter to the Atlanta Constitution, is the proprietor of the most unique and remuucrative farm in Georgia. Itis the "Lime Creek 'Possum farm.'
 On the very crest of a we'll wooded hill is comfortable cottage surrounded by beautiful shade trees. At the foot of the hill is pretty branch, running through the very centre of ten acre persimmon grove inclosed within high board fence. The pcrsimmon trees are interspersed with quantity of old hol- low trees and hollow logs planted in the ground. This is the 'possum farm.
 It 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 de,d limbs of the trees by long, black stem. But ap- pearances were deceptive. It was not fruit, but between seven aud eight hun dred 'possums taking thoir afternoon siesta. Our party were somewhat unac- quainted with the habits of the Ge orgia 'possum, and consequently piled question after question to our highly amused hosts. now consider myself an expert on the 'possum, and hero is what l learned and saw:
 The 'possum, when des ring to take a nap, simply climbs the most convenient tree, walks out on 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 between his shoulders until it forms an almost per feet 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 a half dozen little 'possums emered from the pocket of their mother, ran up her tail and com menced playing on the limb above. In few minutes this marsupial stretched her head and then her fore feet out. She swung herself once qg twice, grabbed her tail with her forepaws and climbed up it to the limb, which she caught with her claws, untwisted her tail and pulled up. Hardly had she balan ccd 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 run 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 cross between a new and a moan. Over seven hundred 'possums were together so thick that the ground | Io 1>o%1r 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 a gate negro pushe l whee lbarrow, heap ing full of all kinds of trash and slops- consisting of fruit peelings, vegetables, meats, bones and bread. As he hove in sight the scene among the 'possums reminded one of feeding time in me- nagerie. The little ugly animals screamed and scratched and hit at one another until the negro had scattered the contents of the wheelbarrow over the ground. Then, although it was we'll scattered, all wanted to eat in ono place just like hogs and there was con- siderable more scratching and biting. But this did not last long, for the ra- tions were soon consumed by the great drove of 'possums, and they commenced to disperse, seemingly contented, and this time climbed the persimmon trees.
 During the persimmon season tho 'possums are not fed at all, for it is on this fruit they become rolling fat and ready for market.
 MT. Throckmorton will probably ship five hundred to eastern points and the cities throughout Georgia this winter. They will average him one dollar each, and he makes quite good thing out o1 it, as they are practically no expense te him. In shipping to Atlanta and Georgia points they are generally dressed, but the majority go to Wash ington and are shipped there alive. The large shipments to Washington are per haps due to the average Southern Con gressman's fondness for s'baked 'possun and 'taters."