Middletown transcript., 1902-02-08
CHINcoTEAGUE GOOSE FARM

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Accomac- nestled in the calm broa
water, protected from the wild waves {
the Atlantic Ocean and almost with
sight Of the sandy shores of Maryland
lies the Island of Chincoteague. Insip
nifcant it seems when viewed from tn
map, but the little island, seven miles il
length and only one and . half in. width
boasts Of 5000 inhabitants, as prosperou
and happy as any people on this broat
continent.
People from every cline hare visited
this queen of islands, and have marvelle,
at its glories. The sunniest hills of Italy
cannot surpass in beauty its sandy shore
when painted i'll the colors of the morn
ing sun.
To comprehend the beauties Of tia
place one must walk upon the beach irs
as the sun casts its first rays across tht
great water and watch the fishermen a,
they bid farewell to their wives and chill
dren. Behold them as they embark il
their canoes and hoist up the great Whit
sails; watch the wind bear them acrosl
the main and they disappear beyond tbs
horizon. Next let the eye return to the
rows of silent cottages. In each dool
stangs a white form waving handker
chic: in adieu. Then the spell is broken
and the days work begins. And as the
sun sinks ON the other side the multitude
of white sails again appear across the
blue space, and We witness the happy re-
turn Of the laden boats. 8
Nowhere are epicures happier than on
Chincoteague. The most delicate OF fsll
and the fattest of oysters and CLAIMS are
shipped in immense quantities from this
place. Likewise are wild fowl of every
kind found in great abundance.
Thousands have journeyed here to wit.
ness the penning OF the famous Chinco.
league pony-one of the most novel and
interesting sights one has ever enjoyed.
The Chincoteague pony may be surpassed
in beauty, but in speed and spirit he out
ranks all others. All the year round he
is allowed perfect freedom, and he gyazes
and romps over the wild marches until
June, when the annual penning takes
place. Then comes the sport of horse
back riders who chase the wild little ami
mails all over the beach until the last one
il driven into the inclosure. When got
ten in the pen they are counted and the
owners select the ones they wish to offer
for sale.
The only wild goose farm in the world
is situated on this island. The industry
Of raising wild fowl to ship to Northern
markets was begun several years ago by
Capt. Joshua w. Wheaton, one Of the
most wealthy men in this section. He
first began on small scale and increased
his enterprise from year to year, until
now he has 200 acres of land and ships
annually 800 fowl. These besides wild
geese, his specially, include brant, jap
anese ducks, and all kinds OF wild birds.
Capt. Wheaton has made this industry
paying one, and derives handsome In.
come annually from his shipments. The
geese are shipped alive upon special
orders and bring S. pair.
About a year ago Capt. Wheaton pur-
chased at an enormous figure from the
Central Park, New York, pair of white
swans and proposes to give great care to
he raising of this bird. He is well satis-
led with the progress he has made up to
his time, and is confident that in few
years he will produce large number of
,hese magnificent birds and expects TO
lerive from them large revenue.
Capt. Whealton's residence is one OF
he handsomest on the island. The
building is very large and is built some
What In the style Of the old colonial man-
ions. The Wheaton family is an old
me, and the name has long been asso-
;iated with the prosperity OF the island.
Che captain has son-Louis N. Wheal-
has won distinction in the
practice Of law in New York City, and is
egarded by many as one of the most
young lawyers at that bar.
1t is magnificent sight to see the hum
lreds of birds as they proudly walk over
he large marsh fields. The right wing
# each bird is kept closely cut so that
hey are unable to fly. They are free to
wander to and fro, from waters edge to
waters edge and gather their living along |
he shores, It'll never necessary TO feed
hem except when they are counted.
Then corn is used to assemble them to-
.ether. Part of the marsh has been
iitched, and mounds with nests on the
op and shaded with bushes have been
,uilt for tie deposit Of their eggs. These
.ggs are collected and saved until April,
when they are yet. The setting takes
about four weeks before the eggs are
Matched, One peculiar feature OF this
bird is that they mate, and each pair
yoes strictly separate from the others.
When the Matching is in process The gan
Ter sits by the nest continually (except
when in search Of foodl and carefully
guards his mate. When the mother
itarts out for her daily meal he takes his
place upon the nest, and he is ever on
he watch for some enemy. The birds
ire powerful and can strike hard blow
with large wings. When they are set
ing they are sspecisllY vicious and it 10
squirting danger to interfere with them in
.he least.
In May they come eff their nests fol.
owed BY a happy flock Of little geslings.
The pride Of the old bird is amusing, and
heir mirth is expressed in loud yells
hat are heard from one side of the island
% the other. Although the pairs are
never separated and live strictly to them
selves. they do not scatter widely, but
keep almost together in general flock.
They are quick TO resent any interference,
ana are apt to make il unpleasant for
any one who walks in their midst. Capt.
wheaton has but one suit of clothes in
which he can 60 among them. They rec
oQnize their master in hisparticular suit,