St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-11-12
CATCHING TERRAPIN.


the Fear. oe the Chine0tsaguees.
When you see two or three men pull.
ing out in small boats from ChincotaRue
in the summer season, armed with stout
sticks, large bags, and small nets, you
may guess that they are going after ter.
rapiu. The native term to describe the
sport or business sounds much like
''turpentine," though it is more nearly
represented by the spelling ''tarp'nin." I"
Cautious persons use one or another
euphonism instead Of plain tarpnin.
because the laws of Virginia forbid the
taking Of terrapin ut this season Of the
year, and although restrictive laws sit
lightly upon Chincotesgue, there il al
ways the possibility Of prosecution.
The skillful terrapin catcher knows
where to expect his game by the ap-
pearancc of the marsh which the Great.
ures inhabit Lying of Chineoteague
1t varying distances are narrow rib
hons of vivid green marsh, some edged
with oyster beds. where ut low tide
thousands Of oysters are in full view,
and all swarming in season with various
kinds of salt water fowl. Just at this
season you hear the always inevitable
marsh hen calling from the grass Of
this damp strip. Yellowlegs, curlews,
and half dozen kinds of ducks are
plentiful upon the marshes at one or
another time of year. and the eggs Of
water fowl are gathered here by the
hundred.
Chincoteaguers call these marshes the
meadows, perhaps because their luxu-
rious growth Of salt grass give them
the appearance of rich pastures. When
the island pastures are parched the na-
tive ponies sometimes swim over TO tho
tempting 'greenery Of the meadows, .
temcrity that the little horses may come
later to repent, since high tide might
mako the meadows an unpleasant place
Of residence. II ID upon the meadows
that most of the terrapins are caught.
Students Of terrspin nature say that the
young terrapin. as soon as hstched.
takes to the mud and there lies buried
for q year. At the end of that time the
young terrapin comes ont to take up
the duties of active life and encounter
the perils of table del;cacy. The ter.
rapin is the water lily Of the animal
kingdom, q delicious product of Shiny
ooze. Opportunities for studying the
habits of the diamond back are not of
the best even here where his kind Is
abundant When freshly caught terra
pins are to be kept . season IL il usual
to dig q hole. fill it with water. and
then surround the hole and q small area
Of dry land. with q tight fence. 1t is
found that the captive terrapin has IN
excel lent appetite. and At the approach
of an attendant with food the creatures
come from their hiding place in the
mud and thrust greedy noses above the
surface Of the water. One resident of
Chincoteague has chosen IN odd way 70
study the terrapin- He placed tiny
terrapin the sire Of two thumb nails in
. well some time ago. and Is determined
to keep him there so long ss he contin-
aes 70 grow.
There are many ways Of cooking ter
rapin here in the home Of the creature.
but none perhaps better than those
praeticed By the gourmets Of Philadel-
phia, Baltimore and New York. A r.
vorite method IL to put the live and
squirming terTapin into the oven and
there 70 let him bake safely, shut in 20
that the sight Of live tOrtures may noa
vex the conscience Of the tender hearted
cook. When done the terrapin thus
treated il served upon . plate. He for
whom the delieacy IL intended lifts TIE
shelf and seasons the ssvoIy mess &C.
coriin1 70 his own taste-Philsdelphis
prcSS