National Republican., 1883-08-21
FEEDING FROGS.
A Successful Batrachian Farm, and How
It is Conducted.

A Successful BatrRcbinn Farm, and How
It is Conducted.
The frog industry in the wost is becoming
one Of no little Importance. Particularly is
this so in Denver aud tho surrounding noun
tain resorts Whether it is caused by the
large number of foreigners who visit this
region annually, or whether Americans are
becoming lovers of the tender hind leg is not
known. 1t is fact, however, that all nation
alities indulge more or less in this flesh in
that region. The epicure from tho clam and
lobster region now comes to Denver to sat
isfy his appetite on frog legs. Tho gentle
man troubled with weak lungs eats bounte-
ously of frog legs, and triumphantly leaps
into another life The party suffering with
bronchial affection forms a morbid appetite
for Ethem, while the cmaciatod dyspeptic is
transformed into healthy, robust man, with
stomach of sufficient strength and capacity
to digest hard-boiled eggs and Hamburger
steak with an ease aud regularity never
before known.
II is not generally known that there are
froggerics in the vicinity of Denver, Col. The
Rocky Mountain NeUs says there are two.
On ois conducted on quite an extensive scale.
NJ Petite Is the proprietor and what he does
not know about frogs is scarcely worth know
ing. IIo was for many years engaged in the
business in France, and accumulated quite
comfortable competence. But the Franco
Prussian war obliterated his fortune, and he
came to America. A few years ago he located
near Sloan's lake, and Immediately started q
iroggery, and has been quito successful in his
business Ready sale is found for the article,
and brings him in 81 n dozen. The business
is conducted by tho little Frenchman on
scientific principles and restaurants, hotels,
and private parties purchase from him, as his
frogs are supposed to be much nicer and prefer
ablo to the others, The meat of u stall fed
frog possesses different flavor, is moro ten
der and succulcnt than that of the wild and
untamcd animal that is caught in the ponds
and bitches of the prairie.
One who knows says the Denver frog is tho
finest in the world. The flavor is preferable
to that of the French product and is far
superior to those captured at Lake Ponchar-
train. The clearness of the water in which
they live in this section, its freedom from tho
many animal poisons, and the temperature is
said to produce the results cited above Tho
eating of frogs is becoming more popular each
year in Denver, and NJ. Petite contemplates
enlarging his froggery to double its present
capacity. He also ships to Colorado Springs,
ManitOu, Idaho Springs, and other resorts
visited during the season by epcures and in
valids.
Frogs are the best for the table in the fall.
They are then fat and sleek, and there is
peculiar and desirable flavor about them at
that season not possessed at any other In
the spring they are poor, and not SO palatable,
but are, nevertheless, eaten. At this season
they are quite desirable and form very
clever side dish at any meal.
Another dealer in this luxury is Count de
la Fourget, communist, who was compelled
to leave the land of his nativity on account
of his extreme political beliefs. The count
lives in the vicinity of Idaho Springs and
owns several mining prospects and a good
-iy pp1, EYa,,t tIxv tI,,
he may be seen along the banks of the creeks,
bitches, and lakes with hand net catching
the famous leaper. His face has become
familiar in many localities, while every res
taurant keeper knows him. His stock is not
SO expensive as M. Petitte's, as he deals ex-
clusively in the wild variety, and receives but
20 cents a dozen. His daily receipts are good,
however, as he disposes of all he can catch,
oftentimes ten and fifteen dozen.
Many children become industrious and 20
out for day with the frogs. They do not
meet with the shining success they antici-
pate, as they generally get about as many
hop toads as frogs, fact which is readily dis
covered by the purchaser as tho leg of the
toad is much shorter than that of his eatable
brother.
Tho method of preparing the frog for mar
ket is the only cruel feature connected with
the industry, and should some member of the
humane Cociety devote as much time to
cruelIy 10 frogs as TO prylng into o family
muddle when recalcitrant boy is being nun
ished, there might be some method devised
relieving it of that one ohio itionable feature
Very few know how to prepare frog for
market The party who performs that part
takes the frogs hind legs in his left hand, and
pair of formidable looking shears in the
right, and before the animal knows what fate
is in store for him his hind quarters are ann
putated with speed and ease that would do
credit to an army surgeon. If tho frog was
killed at this juncture no one could possibly
object. But he is not. He is allowed to get
along as best he can ON his fore legs, often
hopping around for hours before yielding up
the ghost The hind quarters are then
stripped of their skin, put in clear cold water,
and are ready for the table--either for break
fast, dinner, supper, or luncheon.
The Rocky mountain frog is not remark
able leaper, however; he is too fat and the
altitude is against him. But he makes a re-
markably savory dish, and, as said before. is
becoming more popular than ever in the west