The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-03-09
A FROG FARM.
Curious Industry in Far or Corner o
Michigan.

Curious Industry In Far OF Corner of
Michigan.
Mr. Stephens owns several acres OF
land adjoining the city of St. Joseph,
Mich, on the south. Through the
farm runs large ravine, at the head
of which are never=laiIing springs of
pure water. AT some distance below
the springs are located the frog ponds
three in number. Water is supplied
to the ponds through pipe from a
large, deep lake formed by dam
placed across the ravine near the
springs.
The largest of the ponds is we'll
filed with lily pads, Canada bog moss
and other varieties of water plants
said to be essential to the life of the
frog. The smaller ponds are fringed
with these plants, while the centres
are kept comparatively clear. Mr.
Stevens estimates that there are now
no less than 100000 tadpoles,
pollywogs and small frogs in the
three ponds, and his statement is I'M
doubtedly correct, as the bottoms of
the ponds are literally covered with
these peculiar looking little fellows.
These will be ready for the market
early next summer. and will bring
anywhere from $l.25 to 50 dozen
Most OF them will be shipped to
Chicago, and will find their way into
the fashionable hotels and restaur-
ants Frogs for breeding purposes,
which are raised on this farm in great
numbers, bring So dozen.
There are in the ponds about 600
full grown frogs kept for breeders. and
these are fed by hand to prevent them
from devouring the smaller frogs
Every day a certain number of them
are found out of the water waiting
for their meal. They are fed on beef
liver by means OF long pole with a
string attached.
On the end of the string piece of
liver is fastened, which is dangled be-
fore the eyes of hungry froggy, who
secures it by jumping. 1t is said that
one feeding satisfies u frog for about
two weeks. They are very fond of
birds, and often succeed in capturing
a sparrow that may chance to aIight
on the ground near where a big frog.
happens to be sitting
The male frogs are savage fighters.
and when two of them meet there is
sure to be a conflict There are
several frogs in these ponds that
are badly crippled by fighting. One
has lost fore leg entire, and
another has broken and mutt
lated hind leg. The largest bull
in the ponds is called Sullivan, and
he is able to whip any Of the other
green headed pugilists on the prem
Uses. The frogs live in families of
generally one male and not less than
five females, each household occupy
ing some sheltered nook along the
shore of the ponds.
The ponds are protected from the
entertainments of the public by a high
board fence, which also prevents the
frogs from escaping Mr.. Stevens is
laying out walks between and around
the ponds, and intends to make the
place neat and attractive.
He claims this to be the largest frog
farm in the country, and that the
stock is all from finest imported
breeds. The frogs are captured for
market after night by the light of a
torch or lantern, as after dark they
are alwaysfound sitting onthe banks,
and can easily be approached and
picked up. In the daytime they are
quite shy, and can only be caught
with difficulty. Chicago Nescs.