Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-11-07
A 'PossUM FARM.
A Georgian's Collection of Eight Hundred
acknowledgements Who Eat EN-.
A few miles west of Griffin s.

A few miles west of Griffin, saws the
Atlanta Constitution, is the house OF
William Throckmorton. Mr.. Throck-
morton is the proprietor of the most
unique and remunerative farm in
Georgia. 1t is the Lime Creek Pos
sum Farm" 1t was in the early after
noon when we arrived, and to the I'm.
initiated the farm appeared to be an
immense fruit orchard bearing an OBJ
long. whitish sort of fruit hanging
from the dead limbs of the trees by a
long, black stem. But the appearance
was deceptive. 1t was not fruit, but
between seven and eight hundred pos
sums taking their afternoon siesta.
The 'possum, when desiring to take
nap, simply climbs the most con-
venient tree, walks out on a limb,
wraps his tail 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 between his shoulders until it forms
an almost perfect ball and appears to
be great pear covered with white
fur.
We were still gazing at the queer
objects in amused wonder when a
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 fore paws 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 climb
ed 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 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 a half-pound, while others
would tip the scales at thirty. The
'possum, when hungry, utters a sound
which is 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 a gate negro pushed a wheel
barrow heaping full of all kinds of
trash and ps-consisting of fruit
Feelings, vegetables, meats, bones and
bread. AS he hove in sight the scene
among the 'possums reminded one of
feeding time in menagerie. The little
ugly animals screamed and scratched
and bit at 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 considera BILE 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, seemingly contented, and this
time climbed the persimmon trees.
During the persimmon season the
pOSSu1lS are uOG leu dI ali, LOT III is on
this fruit they become rolling fat and
ready for the market. Mr.. Throck-
morton will probably ship 500 to east
ern points and the cities throughout
Georgia this winter. They will aver
age him 81 each, and he makes good
thing out of it, as they are practically
no expense to him. In shipping to
Atlanta and Georgia points they are
generally dressed, but the majority 60
to Washington, and are shipped there
alive. The large shipments to Wash
ington are perhaps due to the average
southern congressman's fondness for
baked 'possum and 'taters." Con-
gresham Stewart, who comes from
Griffin, and Congressman Barnes, of
Augusta, are perhaps the most invet-
crate 'possum eaters in Congress, and
it has already leaked out that these
two distinguished Georgians have or
dered two dozen of Mr.. Throckmor-
toms finest and couple of bushels of
sweet potatoes to be sent to them next
Christmas.