The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-11-14
FROGS FOR MARKET.
How Boston Obtains Her supply in tho
SensDn.

g What can you expect OF those fellows
who eat frogs ?" was the uncomplimentary
exclamation of noted writer when he
heard OF the failure of certain French
dictionary, but he little realized that the
intended slur which he cast upon the PEG
pie of France would before long be APP
plicable to the citizens Of America. Boston
people alone call for more than two hun
bred dozen of these delicious little tit-bits
every day, while New York and the cities
to the west call for even large supplies. In
the towns of Maine, notably Belfast and
Warren, and on Cape Cod, in Barnstable,
Centreville and Yarmouth, men are deyot-
ing their entire time to catching these
dutch nightingales for the Boston mar
ket. Early in the morning the fisherman,
or perhaps properly speaking reptileman,
starts for the green marshes with his long
pole and net The frogs have just emerged
from their dark Shiny beds and are sitting
contentedly perched in some sunny spot
ready TO begin the overture Of their morn.
ing serenade. Suddenly whish comes the
net into their midst, md the next moment
their director, a big pound-and-a.ha half fell
low, is, to the great astonishmont of his
frogship, whirled through the air and land
I'D q captive at the feet Of his arch enemy.
Down plump the other singers, tenor, bass
and baritone struggling and croaking in
startled discord, into their safe retreats,
only to return few minutes Inter and yield
another victim to the unrelenting net. A
good frog fisherman will catch fourteen OF
fifteen dozen n day, but an inexperienced
amateur will find this apparently easy sport
a difficult job when he attempts to rival the
professional. Sometimes shooting is resort
ed to instead of netting, and, again, the little
red-flannel bait ON the end of hook is used
TO entice the frog from his retreat.
The frogs are then [sent, some alive and
some dressed ready for the table, 10 the
Boston markets. In Faneuil Hall Market
Mt the fish stands, heaps of little shining
pearl-white frogs legs are offered to the
public atifrom forty to sixtyIcents dozen.
The season lasts from June till October.
July, however, being the.busiest time. AS
to thestaste of.this luxury, those who have
never partaken of the frog meat cannot
realizesits delicious flavor and tenderness.
The taste is not fishy one, but resembles
most that of a young spring chicken. When
served as fried or boiled dish it is especi-
ally delectable, and at one hotel eight dozen
day are called for in this form during the
July season, while even now the average is
from two to three Dozen
Among the curious live specimens brought
to the Boston markets one, al monster fell
low, weighing nearly two pounds, would sit
in his tank aud cry EXACTLY like baby.
The customers would look around in aston
ishment, wondering where the weeping
child was hidden. Another twilight min
strel, kept in private aquarium, reminded
one of the famous frog who would a-woo-
ing 60" This fepow conceived violent
attachment for a young lady visitor. Every
time the lady approached the glass abode
of the singer he would strike up his most
tuneless lay and dart to the glass side, fol-
lowing her all around as she circled about
the aquarium. One day, to her great as
constituent, he made prodigious leap and
jumped square upon her shoulder, where
he sat inJtriumph. The exertion was too
much for him, however, and few days
afterward he died, lamented by all who
knew him Boston journal