The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1909-09-24
THE TooTHsoME GOPHER OR
LAND TORTOISE

In protecting the gopher the legis-
!eture of Florida has paid a compli-
ment to one of the choicest of the
states productions. The gopher in
question is 2 land tortoise, and not a
ground rat or mole, with which it is
sometimes confounded. The merits
os this tortoise are not fully under
stood by the world at large, but its
meat is a delicious, wholesome article
Of diet and is considered by epicures
As far and away better quality than
the diamond-backed terrapin, his dis
tant relative, and ever and ever so
much better than the green sea or
soft-shell turtle. The ignominy and
SANDER that has been given to the
gopher is due TO ignorance. but now
that he has become part and parcel of
the protected order, his fame will I'M
doubtedly extend.
Away back in the days of the for
nation of the world, as We now have
il. during the periods of diherentia-
lion which separated variety from va
~iety and divided genus from the pal
rent stem. the progenitor of the 60
Ther was Identical with the progen-
i.Cr of the quail the grouse. pheasant
9ud barnyarG fowl. so well known to
eys and palate. Less active and en-
tcIprising, the progenitor of the go
pher and other species OF turtles new
or learned 20 fly. He did not develop
Re dash of spirit and beauty Of form
and feather and grace of motion
Y hich have placed his rivals az the
top of the ladder of reputation. In
fact. he never grew feathers or sport
al wings. OF q retiring disposition,
D. sought security for himself and his
progeny under the surface of the
earth. emerging only for subsistence.
Ie has. therefore. retained and cult
'2ted a tenderness Of meat. q cleanH-
ress Of diet and habit. . reposeful
Ind Of eNis. ence which neither tough
Cled the muscle nor accumulated fat.
ne has gradually evolved into the
clsanest and most tasteful morsel for
Tie human palate that has ever att
-recteI 2asDCuCuic attention
D. Is true tbe gopEer is ugly. bat he
- E5od The way TO treat O gopher
10 ser the most of that go0d out of.
liza is 20 capture I'm in the early
DAYS Of summer. to belea6 him with .
ou7 unr5ces~a~v brutality. TO split his
shells apart with skin. to clear our the
undesirable portions of his interior. /
sCrape cut all the meat that can be re- /
moved with a sharp knife. stew the
same for long time IN a simmering
kettle; AZ the proper moment for the
process add q handful Of fresh white
ooInmeal in proportion 10 quantity of
heat. making 3 thick broth. add black
pepper and salt TO suit the taste. be.
ing sure the mess has been cooked
till the flesh viii melt in the mouth.
Then serve warm and eat with a
sIC0n. People who have cultivated
5D artificial taste for condiments and
spices may add them 10 the savory
pot without fear Of harming the mix
tore. II is 4 great point in favor of
'he gopher that he cannot be spoiled
by any manner of cooking or season
ing. but he who wants the best Of the
gopher fayor will cook according to
the recipe. 1t is TO be regretted that
The gopher is not eligible to domesti-
cation and multiplication. as he would
flake. if available. a great addition to
human wealth and gastronomic hap
I iness.-East Coast Home.
When you want q quick meal. drop