February, 1886
(Iowa State Reporter- Waterloo, Iowa)
A GOOSE FARM- There is a goose ranch on the eastern shore of Virginia, covering nearly 3,000 acres, over which the feathered occupants, nearly 5,000, are free to roam. The farm is devoted exclusively to producing the raw materials needed for the fine down quilts. Several species of geese are bred, all of them being however of American lineage. The largest specimen of all is of snowy whiteness. The birds are regularly fed with corn or other grains, and are given the utmost freedom consistent with the prevention of straying and loss. Herders are employed to keep a watchful eye on them, and sheds for shelter are provided in case of inclement weather, but the birds very rarely use them.
About every six weeks the plucking takes place. Only the breast and portions of the sides are touched, and feathers of the back, the wings and the tail being left intact. It requires nearly 190 average geese to furnish a pound of the down, though the smaller feathers, which are also taken, weigh much heavier. These feathers, however, form an entirely separate grade from the valuable down.
The average life of a goose is said to be forty years, and they produce from five to ten eggs per annum, a large portion of which are hatched. A bird hatched in February is in condition for plucking the following August, and so on thereafter every six or eight weeks. The feathers are packed in sacks , and sent to the Philadelphia factory, where they are trimmed, washed, steamed and otherwise prepared for their legitimate use.
April, 1903
(The Portsmouth Herald- Portsmouth, NH)
A Wild Goose Farm
What is said to be the only wild goose farm in the world is located on Chincoteague Island, says the Richmond (Va.) Times. The farm is a never ceasing object of interest to the visitor and of joy and profit to the owner. There are now between 300 and 400 in the flock. The progenitors of this remarkable flock were two which were "winged" in shooting, then tamed and used as decoys. The annual shipments from the farm are now about 400 to 600 fowl. Most of these are wild geese, but there are some Japanese ducks, brant and other game. The geese bring about $5 a pair. In summer they feed on the marshes of Chincoteague and Assateague, but as the cold weather comes on they gradually gather together near the owners residence, where food is provided for them. Mingled with the geese are many kinds of bird and fowl and fancy breeds of chickens and ducks and even some swans. Particular care is being taken with the swans, and the experiment of their culture bids fair to be a success in every way.
December, 1920
(Cumberland Evening Times- Cumberland, Md.)
Snow Hill, Md., Dec. 15.- George P. Towsend, of Berlin, has a Berkshire Hog weighing 1150 pounds. It has attracted much attention.
It is seven feet, 11 inches long and seven feet, four inches in circumference. Mr. Townsend had to have its measurements taken to settle the various disputes and guesses made as to its weight and size.
March, 1930
Another big auction of work horses and mules was held in Pocomoke City. A newspaper ad advised:
I will sell at public auction another carload of work horses and mules at the stable of Simon Heilig ..Pocomoke City, Md. .. March 15th, 1930 ..at 2 O'clock p.m. This will be the twenty-seventh load of horses and mules I have brought to the Eastern Shore this season and arrived Monday, March 10th. They are from 4 to 6 years of age and weigh from 900 to 1300 pounds. They are broke and ready to go to work. They will be for sale or trade. Come out and look them over. Hitch them up if you wish. You know my terms- every horse and mule must be as represented. Come out and look them over and tell your friends to come too. Terms -- Cash. FRANK BOWLER.
Footnote: Newspaper notices indicate the work horse and mule auctions continued in Pocomoke City at least into the early 1940's.
July, 1931
(The Morning Herald- Hagerstown, Md)
The Pocomoke Ram Show and Sale was held Saturday at Pocomoke, Md., and thirty pure bred Hampshire, Shropshire and Dorset rams sold for an average of about $13 per head. The event was well attended by nearly 200 farmers and sheep men.
R.P. Grant of Snow Hill expressed expressed satisfaction at the wide distribution of sheep. "The demand was very slack and the prices ranged extremely low considering the quality of the rams offered," stated K.A. Clark, manager of the show and sale. This show and sale was one of five projects being held in different sections of the State during the summer.
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2 comments:
Simon Heilig was a fixture in Pocomoke in the early to mid-twentieth century. His stables were located off Front Street, behind the old Feldman's Furniture building. The land is now vacant and is occasionally used as overflow parking for Cypress Park.
Your friend,
Slim
Simon also operated a cattle slaughtering business at that location for many years. Some current Pocomoke City residents will remember his daugher, Ruth "Bootsy" Spinak, who I believe is now living in the Richmond area. Ruth's late husband, Abe, was a NASA offical at Wallops.
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