Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-09-27
Feeding Frogs.
A Successful Batrachian Farm, and
How il is Conducted.
from the Washington Republican. |

From the Washington Republican,
The frog industry in the West is be
coming one of no little Importance
Particularly is this so In Denver and
the surrounding mountain resorts
Whether it is caused by the large
numbers of foreigners who visit this
region annually, or whether Ameri-
cans are becoming lovers of the tender
hind leg, is not known. 1t is fact
however, that all natlonalities indulge
more or less in this flesh in that re-
gion. The epicure from the clam and
lobster region now comes to Denver to
satisfy his appetite on frog legs. The
gentleman troubled with weak lungs
eats bounteously of frog legs; and tri-
umphantly leaps into another lite.
The party suffering with bronchial af-
fection forms morbid appetite for
them, while the emaciated 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
and regularity never before known.
1t Is not generally known that there
are froggeries in the vicinity of Dem
yer, Col. The Rocky Mountain Ne,os
says there are two. One is conducted
On quite an extensive scale. M. Petite
is the proprietor, and what he does
not know about frogs is scarcely worth
known. He was for many years en-
gagged in the business in France, and
accumulated quite comfortable com.
petense. But the Franco -Prussian
war obliterated his fortune, apd he
came to America. A few years ago
he located near Sloan's lake, and i'm.
rnediately started froggery and has
been quite successful in his business
Ready sale is found for the article, and
brings him ST. dozen. The business
is conducted by the little Frenchman
on Scientific principles, and restaur.
ants, hotels, and private parties pur-
chase from him, as his frogs are sup.
posed to be much nicer and preferable
to the others. The meat of stall fed
frog possesses a different flavor, IS
more tender and succulent than that
of the wild and untamed animal that
is caught in the ponds and bitches of
the prairie.
One who knows says the Denver
frog is the finest in the world. The
flavor is preferable to that of the
French product, and is far superior to
those captured at Lake Ponchartrain.
The clearness of the water in which they
live in this section, its freedom from
the many animal poisons, and the tenn
perature is said to produce the results
cited above. The eating of frogs is
becoming mole popular each year in
Denver, and NJ. Petite contemplates
enlarging his froggery to double its
present capacity. He also ships to
Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs,
and other resorts visited during the
season by epicures and invalids.
Frogs are the best for the table
in the fall. They are then fat and
sleek, and there is peculiar and de-
sirable flavor about them at that sea.
son 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, a communist,
who was compelled to leave the land
of his nativity on account of his ex.
treme political beliefs. The count
lives in the vicinity of Idaho Springs,
and owns several mining prospects
and good sized ranch. Frequently
during the season 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
restaurant keeper knows him. His
stock is not SO expensive as M.
Petltte's, as he deals exclusively in the
wild variety, and receives but seven
ty-five cents dozen. His daily re.