Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 February 1910 — RAISING SNAILS. [ARTICLE]

RAISING SNAILS.

newrtMßt of Asnrlcoltare Now InTCitiaatlnar the System. Among the projects of the Department of Agriculture is an investigation into edible snail raising, as practiced in European countries, and the possibility of Its introduction into tbs United Biates with commercial success. _ —r —7 ; “Some people,” remarked a scientist of the department, “are waking up to the fact that there Is profit and Interest In the raising of edible snails. These can, for the purpose, be Imported from Europe, and tbtre ate several, delicious species of Mexican and South American snails now 1 on the market Like most kinds of edible snails the

Mexican spedles Is extremely prolific, and the only condition required for raising the dainty and beautiful little creatures is a moderately warm and even temperature, such as that of a plant greenhouse. The method advised for raising snails is simple'and cleanly. The creatures are kept in pine boxes filled with rich earth, and care must ba taken to have all the snails-of the same species in one- box. The creatures possess cannibal tendencies and will destroy any specimens of other species which’ happen to stray across their path. . Occasionally seed, such as is given for food to canary birds, Is planted in a corner of the box, and when half grown seems, according to expert snail raisers, a tempting appetizer to the dainty inmates, and gives a delicate flavor to the flesh. Care, it seems, has to be given to the snallery, and two inspections a day are required. All scrapß of vegetable matter left uneaten by the occupants must be removed from the boxes. It is a singular fact the odor of decomposing matter is fatal to snails. Their proper food consists of clean, tender, fresh bits of leaves, preferably those of the cauliflower, which they eat voraciously. The earth must Do sprinkled once in twenty-four hours with water to dampen the surface.