Democratic messenger., 1893-12-02
A COSTLY LUXURY.
Terrapin at Seventy-two Dollars
DOzen-Ducks Lower.

Terrapin. the now greatest delicacy
known Ia the epicure, are a little lower
in price this year than they were last.
although their comparative scarcity
Elakcs them one of the most precious
luxurics. counts that Is, terrapins
that measure six inches or over. which
brought SD per dozen last year, are
now selling for $50. The largest speci-
mems are highly priced for their flesh,
and have brought even this year as
high rs So per dozen. The more
common varieties. which have not
changed materially in price. sell for
SD to 20. Tcrrapin farming. as il is
technically dubbed by the trade, has
proved itself Il lucrative business. OF
late years many have entered into it
and have earned good living by
plving their strange trade One Of the
most noied of these farms is situated on
Hog Island, Va, which Is located at
the mouth ot the Coan River. where
all the advantages of water and sur
roundings necessary for the rearing OF
the animals are ut hand. The farm
covers about two and one-half acres Of
land and water and is surrounded bv a
board fence. which eficctually prevents
the tcrrapin from escaping. The interior
is divided into lots. Marshv ground is
afforded the animals TOR burrowing in
the mud when the cold weather sets in
The summer months seem to be the
iavorite time Tor the terrapin To lay its
eggs. one layer at a time, aud having
filled the cavity. she covers it over
carefully. and. with her hard breast
she'll. packs the sand down over the
nest. She usually LAYS about twelve
eggs, this bcing lair average. The
heat Of the sun matches the eggs. and
after they have been in the ground
about two months and a-half the little
fellows dig themselves out OF the sand
and take to the water, where they pro-
cced to obtain nourishment as hest they
can. When the cold weather comes ON,
the tcrrapin hunts his winter quarters.
which are generally located at the
bottom of the pond. The older ones
sleep all the winter at the bottom. and
the Younger ones live around the edg yes
Of the bank. As a natural consequence.
the tcrrapir only requires care during
the warm weather. Then they must I've
ied regularly with fish, crabs and other
food Of which they are fond. Such
farms are stocked at any season OF the
year. Whenever the animals are caught
they are placed within the enclosure,
where they find the quarters all pre-
pared Tor their reception.
a few terrapins are caught by tong
ers in the bay They are generally
large in size and command high prices.
In New York. Philadelphia and Boston
the demand for this luxury has become
~ strong in late years that they are
brought from Georgia and the Carroll
mas These terrapin. however, do not
have the flavor of the true diamond
back, and therefore are sold at Il much
lower price.
Thirty years M" terrapin as an
article Of iood among the elite, was
undrcamt OF by the majority of people.
Now they are caught in such quantities
a~ to endangcr the supply and make ii
po>Siblc that in a few years the terrapin
will I've no more.
The prices OF ducks this year are
much more reasonable than those Of
last year. The cause Of this probably
lies in the fact that this spring was
more propitious one for breeding, and
there is less demand for the game than
last year. \ fine pair of canvas-back
ducks can now he bought for $3.50.
Last year they cost $500. Rcl-hcad>.
which brought s3 - last year. can
bc had Tor 81 10