The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1881-09-30

Lake st. Clair are the resort of mil
lions 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 other
Eastern cities. The Free Press, which
pronounces the commercial frog as
suspicious as wolf, as wild as 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 neces-
sary qualifications to make the bust
ness of any profit to him. We know
has followed the frog catching business
for the last twelve years, and he has
sometimes made it pay as high as Sl5
per week. While there is only one
way of killing q goose there are seve-
raj ways of killing frog. Frog hunt
ing would be great financial success
If the jumpers would take seat on a
log and permit II man to walk up and
crack 'em over the head with a club,
but the frog is utterly opposed to any
such proceeding. His eagle eye de-
tects the enemy affair off, and the ap-
proach must be cautious. The outfit
consists of frog spear, hook and
line, a fish pole with pointed iron
In the end, and sometimes small
shotgun is taken along. First discover
your frog. He may be sitting on Il
log ten feet from shore. He feels
quite safe at that distance and will
probably wait for developments. The
h II - tSeN, I
line IL stout and the hook big enough
to hold twenty pound bass. The
idea is to fish for the frog without bait.
A careful hand will maneuver the line
until the hook is under the frogs
throat, and then sudden jerk takes
him off his Ineditative roost and gives
him into the power of his enemy.
The spear, which is provided with a
long handle, can sometimes be used,
though II frog will dodge a sudden
thrust as quick as pickeral. IT the
shot gun is used it is with light
charge Of powder and very fine shot,
and the head is the point aimed at.
Some of the frogser5 work the banks
and are provided with boats, but sue
cess depends Il good deal on circum-
Stances. a good hunter has been
known to bag 200 frogs per day, but
three or four cozen legs are called n
fair days catch. a frog will probably
live ten or fifteen years if steeriug clear
of accidents. They are not worth
catching until they are two years old,
and are not sprime' until they reach
the age of five. A frog sees his palny
days from five to ten. Before reach
ing five he is giddy and thoughtiess.
After that he settles down to a 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 drunlsticks. One was caught at
the head of Belle Isle two years ago
which kicked the beam at nine, and
one weighing only half Il pound less
was ON exhibition at the Central
Market last spring. Frog hunters say
that the game they pursue is weather
bureau in himself. Before storm he
can be found only in certain localities.
When there is to be dry spell he
seeks certain other localities. If the
day is to be cool aud cloudy his a1ti-
tude betrays it. If it is to be hot and
sultry the frog remains below. Dur
ing thunderstorm he is "on deck "
to witness the display, and is then of
his guard to such II degree that he is
often killed with Il club. His natural
enemies 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 iegs.'
THE SKY AS \ CEMETERY.