Radcliffe. — Propagation of Terrapin 35 



inches, is the standard of length used. The rate of in- 

 crease in length for terrapin allowed to hibernate each 

 year is about one inch, the growth of the males being 

 slower after the second year. A year-old terrapin of 

 average size that has hibernated the first winter should 

 measure a little over two inches. Of the remaining 500 

 young terrapin of the brood of 1913 belonging to the 

 Beaufort terrapin company and fed last winter, the larg- 

 est one now measures four inches, or nearly twice the 

 size of the average terrapin not fed during the first win- 

 ter, and 200 of this lot will measure three inches and 

 over. The rate of growth of terrapin is exceedingly 

 variable and the experiments with winter feeding are still 

 too incomplete to enable us to determine the time required 

 for the majority of the stock to reach a marketable size, 

 but results of the character mentioned indicate that win- 

 ter feeding may do much to hasten their growth. 



After the first year of confinement, the loss of adults 

 is negligible. As an instance of this, of over 3000 ter- 

 rapin purchased by the Beaufort company in 1913, only 

 two have died during the active season this year. The 

 loss after hatching, of young terrapin from adult stock 

 held in confinement for several years, is also very small, 

 being abou+ 5% at the Beaufort Laboratory. Aside from 

 the initial .iost of pounds and breeders, in places where 

 fresh fish may be purchased cheaply, the running ex- 

 penses of a terrapin farm should be light. These factors, 

 added to the adaptability of this form to artificial condi- 

 tions, should make the subject of terrapin culture an 

 interesting undertaking to those of you who are fish cult- 

 urists and whose sphere of action lies within the natural 

 range of the species. Before undertaking to stock de- 

 pleted waters, proper laws governing the taking of ter- 

 rapin should be required and a public sentiment that 

 will insist on their enforcement aroused. Stock grown 

 for distribution should be fed the first winter and plant- 

 ed late in the following summer. 



Doubtless many questions relating to the construction 

 of breeding pens, selection of breeding stock, care of 



