East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-08-02
Turtle Farming in Japan

In a paper read before the last in
ternational congress of Arts and Sci
ences, held At ST. Louis, X. Mitsukuri,
professor of zoology i'm the Imperial
university Toxic. Japan, gives inter-
esting facts concerning the raising of
aquatic animals and plants. To the
United States he gives the credit of
being the leader in bold scientific ef-
forts to replenish old fishing grounds
and to create new ones: hut Japan,
with its 10000 miles of coastine. its
bays and estuaries. inlets and straits,
with its rich fauna of marine organ
isms everywhere with its dense popu-
lation subsisting largely u9on vegeta-
bles and fish, is peculiarly adapted to
the culture of sea life. and it need
hardly occasion surprise to learn that
the oyster raising OF Hirohsima and
the algae culture of Toxic bay are
we'll established industries and have
been carried on for hundreds of years
The place occupied by the diamond
back terrapin in America and by the
green turtle in England is taken by
the 'suppon," or swapping turtle. in
Japan, but the Japanese epicure has
the advantage over his brothers in
other lands in that he has no fear of
the supply of his favorite aquatic del
icacy being exhausted. thanks to the
successful efforts of Mr.. Hattori
whose farms have been brought to so
high state of perfection that he is
able to turn out tens of thousands of
turtles every year.
The farm belonging to this family
lies near Toxic and was originally re-
claimed from the sea. Aside from his
occupation as farmer the father of the
present Hattori found the collecting
and selling of river fish to be a profi-
table undertaking, and almost two
thirds of a century ago ne conceived
the idea of cultivating "suppon" al
though no definite action was taken
for many years.
In 1866 the first large turtle was
caught, and from that time additions
We're made until in 1874, the number
had reached so, all healthy, and with
proper proportion of males and fe-
males One of the first difficulties
presenting itself was the unnatural ap-
petite of the adults for their young
making it necessary to protect the lat
ter from their parents. Under these
conditions the present system of cul-
tivation was gradually evolved.
In general appearance a turtle
farm consists of a number of rectan-
gular ponds, the larger ones having an
area of from $4,000 to $4,000 square
feet and a depth not to exceed three
feet, plank wall being constructed
around the outside to prevent the es-
cape of the captives. Three or four
feet of slope above the water. sur
mounted by a shelf reaching back to
the wall affords the turtles an oppor-
tunity to come out of the water If
they desire. The bottom of the pond
is covered with soft, dark mud, several
/ inches thick, where the 'suppon" may
retire to pass the winter.
One of the largest of the ponds is
reserved for the breeding individuals
or parents. The newly Matched first
year and second year turtles must also
have ponds of their own. The female
parent deposits her eggs in a hole
which she has dug in the bank above
the water line. the number varying
from II up to % or more. The time
required for Matching is about so days
although 1t may vary 90 days either
way. The period of egg deposition ex-
tends from late in May to the middle
| of August.
One of the most important problems
in turtle farming is that of food sup
ply, the chief dependence being placed
on "shiofuki" shells, dried fish scraps,
| silkworm pupae and boiled wheat
grains. 1t has been demonstrated that
| the turtles thrive best in ponds where
carp and eels are kept, the reason be-
/ ing, presumably that these fish keep
the water stirred up, and the turtle.
being exceedingly timid. is not dis
posed to venture out in perfectly clear
water in search of food.