A GEORGIA POSSUM FARM.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2704, 9 November 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

A GEORGIA POSSUM FARM.

A writer in the Atlanta Constitution describes a visit to an opossum farm in Georgia. It was, he says, in the early afternoon when we arrived, and to the uninitiated the farm appeared to be an immense fruit orchard, bearing an oblong' whitish sort of fruit hanging from the dead limbs of the trees by a long black stem. But appearances were deceptive. It was not fruit, but between 700 and 800 'possums taking their afternoon siesta. The 'possum, when desiring to take a nap, simply climbs the most convenient tree, walks out on a limb, wraps his tail one and a half times round, and swings his body out in space. His legs and feet are drawn close to his body, and his head drawn up between his shoulders until it it forms an almost perfect ball, and appears to be a great pear covered with white fur. HOW A 'I'O.SSUM WAKES. The sun was slowly getting below the distant pine mountains, and we were still gazing at the queer objects in amused wonder, when half-a-dozen little possums emerged from the pocket of their mother, ran up her tail and commenced playing on tho limb above. In a few minutes this marsupial stretched her head and then her four feel out. She swung herself once or twice, grabbed her tail with her forepaws, and climbed up it to tho limb, which she caught with her claws, untwisted her tail and pulled up. Hardily had she ballanced herself when the half-down young ones climbed into her pocket and were hid from view. She then climbed down the tree. While this was going on more than 700 others had awakened and were coming down from the trees. Reaching the ground, each one made for the creek, drank, and then ran up the hill to a pen in whicli they were to be fed. FEEDING-TIME. They were all sizes. Some would barely weigh a half a pound, while others would tip the scale at 301b. The 'possum, when hungry, utters a sound which is a cross between a mew and a moan. Over 700 'possums were together so thick that the ground could not be seen between them, and the small ones had been forced upon the backs of the larger. All were uttering this peculiar sound, when through the gate a negro pushed a wheelbarrow, heaped full of all kinds of fragments and slops—consisting of fruitpeelings, vegetables, meats, bones, and bread. As he hove in sight the scene among the 'possums reminded us of feeding-time in a menagerie. The little ugly animals screamed and screatched, and bit at one another until the negro had scattered the contents of the wheelbarrow over the ground. Then, although it was well scattered, all wanted to eat in one place just like pigs, and thor , ; was a good deal more scratching and biting. But this did not last long, for the rations were soon consumed by the great drove of 'possums and they commenced to disperse, seemingly coutented, and this time climbed the persimmon trees. I'KOKITAHI.E .STOCK. During the 2 je, ' s ' mmon season the 'possums are not fed at all, for it is on this fruit that they become rolling fat aud ready for market. Mr. Throckmorton, the owner of the farm,will probably ship 500 to eastern points and the cities throughout Georgia this winter. They will average him §1 each, and he makes quite a good thing out of it, as they are practically no expense to him. In shipping to Atlautu and Georgia points they arc generally dressed ; but the majority go to Washington aud are shipped alive. The largo shipments to Washington are perhaps due to the average .Southern Congress man's fondness ior " baked 'possum and 'taters."