The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1904-07-23

lie report OF FISH COMMISSIONER
Bowers for the fiscal year 1903, just
issued, contains information calcu-
lated to make epicures sad.
According to Mr.. Bowers the dia-
mond back terrapin, most priced of
dishes, is rapidly disappearing, and
will become extinct unless artificial
means of propagation are adopted.
The commissioner says:
"The growing scarcity of the dia-
mond back terrapin in Chesapeake
Bay, which for years has been the
most productive region, has led to
the belief that the species may even
tually become almost extinct if the
present methods of the industry con-
tinue, or if no steps are taken to ar
rest the decline by cultivation.
"The reported catch of terrapins
in Maryland in 1901 was only one
sixtieth of the quantity and one
twentieth of the value of that in
1891, and in Virginia the output in
1901 was one-tenth the quantity and
thirteenth the value of that for
1891.
"The decrease in the local output
has in part been made good by the
importation by the dealers of terra
Gulf States-these Southern terra. fra.
pins being kept for while in pounds
and then shipped to market.
During the summer of 1902 a
complete study of the diamond back
terrapin of the Chesapeake Bay re-
gion was undertaken by this divis-
ion, Prof. w. P. Hay being placed in
charge. Supplemental to this in
quiry an experimental pound was es-
tablished as a favorable locality on
the Choptank River in Maryland,
and another at the laboratory al
Beaufort, N. c., for the purpose Of
studying the terrapin-their growth,
breeding habits, &C."
Everybody in Washington who
ever had designs on a diamond-back
has known for long time that
they are mighty scarce. Of late the
prices have been going even higher,
a dozen selects bringing sometimes
as high as $I5o, or even more. And
the supply is never equal to the de-
mand at that.
Incidentally, it might be mention
ed that the taste for terrapin is ac-
quired and that a good many people
eat it who would prefer medicine.
Commissioner Bowers might have
illustrated this if he had told the
story of woman well known in
Washington, who when she came
here, some years ago, had consider
able less knowledge on many sub
jects than she possesses at the pres
ent time.
Shortly after her arrival she want
ed to give very swell dinner, and
having more money than she knew
what to do with and a chef who
knew how to perform wonders with
everything that ever walked, swan
or grew she went out to buy the
best in sight.
"You might try terrapin," said a
game dealer to whom she went.
"They are very nice"
The woman looked at the dozen
or so of Maryland "birds" and turn
ed up her nose. She didn't know a
terrapin from mud turtle, and she
naturally put them both in the same
class.
"How much are they a half a
dozen?" she asked with superior
smile, intending to squelch the deal
er after he had announced the price
with the statement that money was
no object and that she wanted some
thing fit to put before her distin-
guished guests.
"Seventy-hve dollars half a dozen.
One twenty-five a dozen" said the
dealer.
The woman had her nerve with
her and came back at him in mo-
! ment.
"Of course there is nothing like
terrapin," she said. "I'll take doz-
n."-WasJsington letter in NeaV
York Sun.
Eafher-What Is the use of my