The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-24
TERRAPIN FARMING.
Something About Noted Farm on Hog
Island, ys.-How They are Caught.

Something About Noted Farm on Hog
Island, ys-How They are Caught.
Terrapin, the how greatest delicacy
known to the epicure, are a little lower in
price tEis year than they were last, all
though their comparative scarcity makes
them one Of the most precious luxuries.
"Counts"-that is, terrapins that mea-
| sure six inches or Over-which brought
| $50 per dozen last year are now selling
! for $50. The largest specimens are highly
| priced for their flesh aud have brought
even this year as high as 81 per dozen.
| The more common varieties. which have
| not changed materially an price, sell
| for SIS to so Terrapin farming as it
! Is technically dubbed by the Trade has
/ proved itself r lucrative business. OF
late years according 10 the Baltimore
American many have entered into IL and
have earned a good living byplylng their
strange trade. one Of the most noted OF
these farms is situated on Hog Island. Va,
which IS located at the mouth Of the Coau
river where all the advantages Of water
and surroundings necessary for the rear
ing Of the animals are at hand. The farm
covers about two and one-half acres OF
land and water and is surrounded by a
broad fence, which efectually prevents
is divided into lots Marshy ground is
afforded the animals for burrowiug in
the mud when the cold weather sets in
The summer months seem 90 be the favO-
rite time for the terrapin 20 lay IT'S eggs.
This operation Is performed in a peculiar
way. which admirably demonstrates the
sagacity OF the animal. The female first
digs hole in the sand with her claws and
hOllows il out cleyerly I'm the form Of an
frfrrl tod Tn uf. 4. IA
eggs. one layer at a time, and, having
filed the cavity, she covers Il over care
fully, and, with her hard breast shell.
packs the sand down over the nest. She
usually lays about twelve eggs. this being
a fair 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 10 the water, where
they proceed 10 obtain nourishment as
best they can. When the cold weather
comes on the terrapin hunts his winter
quarters. which are generally located at
the bottom of the pond. The older ones
sleep all the winter az the bottom and
the younger ones live around the edges
Of the bank. As n natural consequence
the terrapin only requires care during the
warm weather. Then they must be fed
regularly with fish, crabs. and other food
OF which they are fond Such farms are
stocked at any season Of the year. Wien
ever the animals are caught they are
placed within the inclosure. where they
find the quarters all prepared for their
reception.
A few terrapins are caught by tongers
In the bay. They are generally large in
size ard command high prices. In New
York. Philadelphia, and Boston the de-
mand for this luxury has become so
strong I'm late years that they are brought
from Georgia and the Car0inas. These
t"rrapin. however do not have the fiav0-
OF the true diamond back. and. therefore,
are sold at a much lower price. Thirty
years ago terrapin as an article Of food
among the elite was undreamed OF by the
majority Of the people. Now they are
caught I'm such quantities as 20 endanger |
the supply and make IL possible that in a
few years the terrapin Will be no more.