New-York tribune., 1905-01-22
GUINEA PIGS POPULAR.
Mdny Used for Scientific Purposes
Others for Pets.

Within the last twelve months II is estimated
by the proprietor of what is probably the larges,
guinea pig farm in the world that more than
100000 of these little animals have been used for
experimental purposes in colleges and medical
schools alone and that half as many more have
been sold as pets
This farm is situated within two miles of the
University of Michigan. Its proprietor is Ar
drew F. Smith As one reaches the highest Of
seven hills that surround it, he sees many red
barnlike buildings, with dozens of little windows
In them, and beside each a tiny inclosure sur
rounded with wire netting
AS one walks down this hin, especially If ii In
early morning. his are puzzled by a strange
steady purring noise. AS he draws nearer IL
grows louder. Sometimes, with a suddenness
that is startling. there comes absolute quiet In
that interval. perhaps twenty thousand guinea
pigs are crouching absolutely motionless, with
out sound Then from one of the houses comes
twitter. which is taken up in another, until
the whole sound is back again.
Ordinarily the proprietor of this great guinea
pig ranch takes pleasure In showing his PETS
AS he brings his visitor to one Of the buildings
he knocks on the door. and every tiny voice
inside is Quieted- Then he suddenly throws the
door open. Along the walls of the building are
scores of hunks" with wire doors in front and
in each bunk perhaps fifty or a hundred
guinea pigs. The sudden knock on the door
has brought them to the fronts of the cages
Thousands of eager little eyes gleam out from
white. black and tortoise shell names. Thou
sands Of shaggy heads as motionIess as :;
they were painted canvas and nothing but
the soft breathing of the horde of animals is
heard
Then the proprietor whistles. At first it
a Quavering note. low and musical, but grow
ing in volume as the twittering voices of ths
guinea pigs join it.
That's my breakfast calI-now watch enr
he says.
The mass of heads begins to move. Hundreds
of bodies tumble over one another, and the
purring. twittering voices of the little creatures
rise until they drown out the masters whistle
AS the goes toward a number of big bar
rels. again silence reigns. At the barrels thS
proprietor purposely lOiters. Thousands of
bright eyes gaze steadily through the wires at
him. They are waiting patiently. Soon the
fluffy little fellows seem to grow tired.
vous twitter marvellousy like that of a bird.
goes out from one little red mouth. Another
takes it up, then another and another. until the
building is filled with the sounds.
They're coaxing me now.' said the proprte-
tor.
AS he scoops handfuls of oats into the cages
the pigs run up and push their little noses into
the grain. The manners of guinea pigs not
at all like those of ordinary pOrkers, after which
they are named. They take one grain. seldom
more, at a time and chew and chew. contem-
platively, a sort of ccntented glow in their eyes
If it is piece of carrot. they nibble at it danti
Iy and nibbie all day long. While, so far as
eating is concerned, they Sluttons, yet they
do it SO daintily that it is pleasure to watch
them.
That it takes human companionship to bring
out the better side of the guinea pig is shown
by "Dicky" Flynn. Mr.. Smiths assistant
man eighty years DID, whose love for his guinea
MIC charges has become q passion He never