Evening journal., 1898-03-16
DISMOND-BACK YERRApIE.
THREATENED WITH EXTINCTION.
A PLAN TO PRESERVE THEM


In their annual report to the Legis-
Iature the Fish Commissioners OF Mary
land gave the lamentabe Information
that the diamond-back terrapin, for
which that state has been so famous,
is in great danger Of becoming extinct.
But they hold out the hope that, with
proper protection, and encouragement,
the supply can be restored, and made
so plentiful that the price can be
brought Within the reach of people OF
moderate means ait a cost incredibly
small, and recommend the establish
ment Of station for Matching at con-
venient points along the marshy shores
Of the Chesapeake and its tributaries.
The diamond-back terrapin Is found
all along the Atlantic coast from Mary
land to Florida, and 1t reaches .perfec-
ton on the Chesapeake bay because
Of the Wild cetery, upon which It feeds,
and the long alternating periods af-
torded by the Maryland Winters. For
~ years ago terrapin were 50 abundant
Ia Maryland that they were served as
frequently as fish upon the tables OF
the rich and the poor and there is a
legend of John Etridge, of Body Island,
who caught 1000 of these little turtles
IN a few days fishing and sold them in
Norfolk for $400 To-day in the same
market and in Washington and New
York they are worth from $50 to $75
a dozen. When Etridge found such a
demand for the toothsOme reptile he
went back to his fishing grounds and
caught 1000 more, which he took back
to Baltimore and sold for $3.50. This
fr,yI
Try and tempted other fishermen to the
trade, until ten or twelve years ago the
ruling prices for wild terrapin were
from 80 to s. a dozen, according to size.
But tlre natural increase did not. keep
pace with the demand, and extermina-
ton was the result. There are artih-
oial terrapin plantations, but even
they do not produce enough for the
market. The largest and most import
ant is on the Pawtuxent, where q
small saltwater lake has been inclosed
with a fence to keep out musl1rats and
foxes, which are the chief enemies oi
the terrapin.
The wild terrapin Is difficult tc
catch 1t has always been a matter OF
dispute whether its pursuit was fishing
or hunting, and 1t ought to have &
name OF its own, for the procedure Il
peculiar. In the Fall of the year tht
hunters dig long, shallow bitches OF
the marshes and flats, and when tbs
tide gets low scratch the bottom witt
rakes until it is covered with muddy
paste. When the tide comes in i
brings few terrapin, which find th'
soft bottom and realize a good plae'
To burrow and spend the Winter Eacl
tide brings more, and the mud Is KEEP
| soft between times. During the Win
ter the hunter goes down to his pre-
| serves with a huge pitchfork ans
| pushes it into the mud until he strike
something. In case he hits a terrapil
and not a stone he digs It out and put
/ It in his basket All through Mary
land and Virginia during the Winte
the darkies are to be seen day AMI
night on the marshes, armed with long
light iron rods, probing for terrapin
/ When they get scarce the hunter take
large quantities OF brush and makes
fire over the place where he knows the.
are buried. The terrapin imagine tha
| Spring has come, and crawl out to b
captured.-Chicago Record.