Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-10-17
TERRAPIN FARMS PAY.
At Least Seven Acre One in Maryland
Does.

AtLeast a Seven Acre One in Maryland
Does.
A diamond back terrapin farm, with
more than Is, 600 in stock, and worth
fully $50, 900 is one of the interest
ing industries of Crisfeld, Md.
When Washington and Lafayette
were forced to eat terrapln at York
town because the army supplies were
low; when counties in Maryland passed
laws prohibiting the feeding of slaves
oftener than twice a week On terrapin
meat in order to save pork, and when
the succulent reptiles" were cooked
for food for fowls and swine, and could
be bought for 81 an oxcart load, no one
dreamed that the day would come when
the terrapin would be almost extinct
and worth as much as $160 dozen.
But such is the situation to-day and
in this region, the most productive of
the luscious diamond back of the
Chesapeake, they are cared for and
guarded with greater anxiety for their
safety than were the slaves in the days
when they protested against being
| gorged on terrapin meat.
A. T. Lavalette, a grandson of Rear
| Admiral K. A. Lavalette, decided to
embark in the business, and he has no
| cause to regret this decision. The
farm of seven acres is divided into pens.
with big board fences, and wire screen
across the sluiceways. In these pens
there are water, grass and sand, and
Mr.. Terrapin can take his choice as to
| where to spend his time.
Plank walks high above the water
and marsh are constructed over the
farm, and when Mr.. Lavalette wishes
to feed his valuable reptiles he simply
goes out on one of these elevations and
claps his hands together, making a
loud noise.
In an instant the terrapins come bel
ter skelter from the sand, marsh and
water and huddle under the walk
where he stands, while those in the
other pens crawl against the wire
screens and fences in an effort to get
through.
They are fed on crabs, fish and meats
of every kind, but are small eaters.
1t is seldom that a terrapin will attack
any living thing larger than fly or
small bug
Mr.. Lavalette has terrapln of all sizes.
Their growth is remarkably slow, and
it is estimated that at least 40 years Is
required for a terrapin to attain its
full growth. The terrapiu is by nature
cold. blood reptile, and with the COM
ing of the first frost he begins to locate
himself for the winter, and it is neces-
sary on this farm to keep close eye
on the weather and use artificial means
for keeping the terrapin from freezing.
The favorite place for the hiberna-
tion Of the very Target sizes in a few
inches below the soft, Oozy mud at the
bend of three or fOur-fathom V shap-
| ed channel In the bed of a creek of
about the same distance from shore to
| shore. The time of Information usual
ly lasts about six months.
They bury few inches in the mud.
and leave at the spot they disappear
small mound, in the middle of which
a hole may be descerned. 1t is the
mound and hole which first attract the
hunter and fisherman. During this
period the terrapin is caught in the
torpid state.
The males always bed in the marshes
and among the rushes of shallow ponds
A few of the hunters still employ
dogs in tracking them, but a dog train
ed to track terrapin is seldom suited
for anything else, and the result is
that few dogs are kept engaged in the
business. Years ago nearly every resi-
dent of the eastern, shore had his ter
rapin dog.
| While the people of the section are
noted for their honesty and square
dealing Mr.. Lavalette takes no chances.
He has one room house In the center
of his terrapin farm, built 20 feet above
the marsh on piles, and in the house
are rifles. One of his trusted employe 8
sleeps in the house every night, and 1t
would be unwise for any one to at
tempt to make raid on the farm
New York Tribune.