The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-10-28
Frogs and Frog Hunting.

The marshes between Detroit and
Lake st. Clair are the resort of millions
of frogs and it is asserted that more
frogs are sold in Detroit than in any
other city of its size. During the frog
season heavy shipments are made to
New York, Boston, and o~ther'eastern
cities. The Free Press, which pro-
nounce the commercial frog as sus-
picious as wolf, as wild as a deer, and
as shrewd as a fox, describes the work
of frog hunting as follows:
"Most of the frogs are caught for
this market by men. One or two boys
have some fame as successful frog
catchers, but it has been demonstrated
that the average boy lacks the necessary
qualifications to make the business of
any profit to him. We know of one old
fisherman and hunter who has followed
the frog catching business for the last
twelve years, and he has sometimes
made it pay as high as $15 per week.
While there is only one way of killing a
goose there are several ways, of killing
a frog. Frog hunting would be a great
financial success if the jumpers would
take q seat on a log and permit a man to
walk up and crack 'em over the head
with a club, but the frog is utterly OPP
posed to any such proceeding. His
eagle eye detects the enemy afar of, and
the approach must be cautious. The
outfit consists of q frog spear, a hook
and line, a fish pole with q pointed iron
in the end, and sometimes q small shot
gun is taken along. First discover
your frog. He may be sitting on a log
ten feet from shore. He feels quite safe
at that distance and will probably wait
for developments. The hook and line
can be used here. The line is stout
and the hook big enough to hold q
twenty pound bass. The idea is to fish
for the frog without bait. A careful
hand will vancouver the line until the
hook is under the frogs throat,
and then q sudden jerk takes him off his
meditative roost and gives him into
the power of his enemy. The spear,
which is provided with a long handle,
can sometimes be used, though a frog
will dodge a sudden thrust as quick as
a pickerel. If the shot gun is used
it is with a light charge of powder and
very fine shot, and the head is the point
aimed at. Some of the froggers work the
banks and are provided with boats, but
success depends a good deal on circum-
stances. A good hunter has been known
to bag 200 frogs per day, but three or
four dozen legs are called a fair days
catch, A frog will probably live ten or
fifteen years if steering clear of acct
dents. They are not worth catching
until they are two years old, and are
not "prime" until they reach the age
of FIVE. A frog sees his palmy days
from five to ten. Before reaching five
he is giddy and thoughtless. After that
he settles down to q life of ease and
contentment, and the days come and go
and leave him no sorrow. Frogs have
been caught in tho st, Clair marshes
weighing as high as seven pounds and
having legs almost like drumstiCks.
One was caught at the head Of Belle
Isle two years ago which kicked the
beam at nino, and one weighing only
half a pound less was on exhibition al
the Central Market last spring. Frog
hunters say that the game they pdrsue
is a weather bureau in himself. Before
n storm he can be found only in certain
localities. When there is to be a dry
spell he seeks certain other localities.
II the day is cool and cloudy his alti-
tude betrays it. II IL is to be hot and
sultry the frog remains below. During
u thunderstorm he is con deck" to
witness the display, and is then off his
guard to such q degree that he is often
killed with y club. His natural one
mics are man, several species of birds,
three or four species Of fish, and one or
two kinds Of animals, and the fact that
he manages to dodge all for years is
proof enough that his lack Of brains
has been more than made good by his
supple legs.
Thirteen lean people commit suicide
10 n fnt nne. Flesh np and save your