Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-11-23
The Georgia Terrapin.

Have You a little terrapin in your
home?
If you haven't and want to get the
last word in household pets, see Alexan-
der NJ. Barbee, of Savannah, Ga, and
arrange for one or two cunning baby
diamond backs to hang up beside the
bird cage and entertain the family cat
Being so entirely unique. the terrapil
teddler is bound to be the rage wher-
ever he is introduced
What You never saw a diamond back
terrapin in the rough? Well, it's easy
TO guess you don't belong to the smart
set. Terrapin are the first cousins of
the entire turtle family, resembling the
turtle in build, but not in flavor. Fact
is, when it comes to culinary possibili-
ties, they are the turtles multiplied by
the most delicate flavor you ever mag
ined steaming before your enchanted
eyes. They are the true aristocrats OF
turtledom. The thoroughbreds of South
erni salt marshes, at s96 a dozen. There.
Didn't / tell You they were used in the
wealthiest families?
When | entered terrapin headquarters
at the Hotel Imperial. where every day
from three to eight infants of the spec
les are making their initial appearance,
there was splash in the direction of a
big porcelain tub and a small brown
island with diamonds on its back disap-
peared beneath the water. Mr.. Barbee
keeper of the strange brood, gave a pc
euliar whistle. In second half dozen
small heads reared themselves from as
many small islands and looked expec-
I'm in tIa
came the whistle. Another portable is
land scrambled out from beneath the
mahogany dresser.
See" said the keeper. the smile of
the man who likes his work lighting his
face: "they know me. just the same as
dog or horse knows its master.
When { go through my terrapin farm
they all sit up and take notice. Let a
stranger walk through and they all
scoot for a hiding place,
Zone time Southern darkey of
chicken yard fame broke into the farm
and helped himself TO six of my most
valuable terrapins. He took them
around to the receiving room and sold
them TO my son, who suspected all was
not well and so detained the dabbier in
high finance on a pretext. In a little
while / came in and my son pointed to
the terrapin resting quietly in a trough,
"'Aren't those some of your terrapin,
dad?' he asked.
ar whistled. Every one of the six
perl1ed up their heads and started to-
ward me.
Sure they are, said. turning to
where the culprit was shaking in his
shoes. his face a dull ash brown.
Marse, when ah done took them
there dimon pins, All never knowed dey
was trained terrapins; All shuh didn't,
he whined. The judge gave him year
behind high stone wall to think II
over
Mr.. Barbee brought all the "makin'sp
of a eoodly flock of future food extras
with him. After % years as a terrapin
farmer, during which time he has
dragged the salt marshes and streams
of Georgia for the delight of the epicure,
he has found out the secret of Matching
out terrapin eggs in large numbers.
Also he has been made to realize that
unless the future of the terrapin Is
protected and the present supply is
steadily augmented they Will entirely
disappear. Even now a dozen terrapin
is considered a good catch for a weeks
steady effort
on the Isle of Hop near savannah,
Ga. Mr.. Barbee is raising terrspin in
large numbers. 1t takes five years be-