A RATTLESNAKE FARM.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3064, 5 March 1892, Page 1 (Supplement)

A RATTLESNAKE FARM.

(Philadelphia Record). Probajilv the oddest occupation ever followed by man is that of an oldTonnesneean who livos in tho Ozark mountains. It i& (ieorgo Jayncs, or, as hn is known in this neighbourhood, " Sanky George." Jaynes came there from the mountains of Tennessee several years ago, and followed the occupation of hunting for a living. He never g it very much ahead but managed to eke out a good iving tnr himself by the sale of frame and skins. He brought with him from his old hom* an art of making snake oil, and sold several pints during each season to the various druggists in this part of the state und got a good price for it, as it was of excellent quality. Tho rocks of the Ozark mountains abound with rattlesnakes, and it was not long beforo Jaynes saw that if he we at at it right he had a bonanza in the business. He looked about and found a piece of rocky land on tho south side of the mountain, which was utterly worthless as far as agricnlture was concerned. He entered this land as a homestead, and began improving it in a most peculiar way Instead of clearing oft the rocks he tried to get more there, and soon lie had built a veritable suake's retreat. The hillside was honeycombed with holes, and everything that a snako could desire to make life >t pleasure was added to the spot. While he hnd entered IGO awes lie only utilised about forty of them. He built a house of stone, but cemented it thoroughly inside and out, for while ho made a living from snakes, he did not care to have too close a companship with them. Having arranged his farm to his satisfaction, he set about getting inhabitants for tho place. Iu this he experienced little trouble, for tho hills abounded with the reptile and he knew how to cateh and handle therawithont danger. His daily excursions were taken with a view of bringing home a new resident for hit« farm nud livestock increased with wonderful spend. About four years ago he completed the work of stocking his place, and now he is reaping the benefit of his acumen. Snakes are eyerywhers on the place, :ind on a warm day tho sight on the hills at the back of the houso would give a drinking man the impression that " lie had'em again." Rattlesnakes of all sizes and conditions are seen lying round iu profusion or crawling over the rocks, squirmin gand twisting inheaps,while the deadly whirr (if the rattle makes music which strikes terror to the heart of one unused to the situation. Above all is a. terrible odour which fills the whole air and drives away one not accustomed to an offensive Rcent. " Sanky George " estimates that ho has the 10,000 full grown ratlesnakeson the place, and says he kills an average 200 hundred every season. He only kills them during the months Pepteitber and October for then they are the fattest and are full of oil. They are getting ready to go inwinter quavcew, and are in primo condition. His method of catching tiieni is simple. He has fed them iu a certain clear spot ever since they have beeu on tho place.and thev now come there regularly. When he wants to begin work he stands on an elevated rock near the place anl with h. slip noose of wire catches as many as he can use and kill* them. He then takes the bodies to his house, where he throws them into a cauldron and renders out the oil, This he packs in heavy bottles and ships to various wholesale druggists throughout the country, it being used in the preparation of various liniments. One good sized rattler will make a pint of oil* und this brings 1 dol. 50 cents a pint, or Jaynes nets about one dollar after all expenses of rendering, bottling, and shipping are paid.