Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-08-21
FROG FARMS.
Raising the Delicacy for Market ID
Now Thriving Industry.


':You will be surprised" said he, stto
learn that new industry is growing up
in the North, an industry which is en-
tirely devoted to frog culture.
''There are large farms at st. Joseph,
Saugatuck, New Haven, Grand Haven
and Battle Creek, where the frogs we sell
are raised. On many farms in the North
west there are marshy places that are ut
terly useless for agricultural purposes.
Many of these spots are being reclaimed
by their production of frogs. The
animals require very little care
and are very prolific. One man
atSt. Joseph has 200, 900 pollywogs in
his lake. They will soon be ready for
the market, and at the price at which
legs sell his profits will not be far from
20, 900. 1t would take big crop of
grain and an enormous amount of work
ana worry into the bargain to yield that
much. There are different breeds. The
best and largest come from France. They
are sent to this country by breeders over
there who make speciality of them. You
may laugh when l tell you that it will
not be long before frogs will have their
place at country fairs and fat-stock
shows. Why, even now, pedigrees are
furnished importers, and there is a frog
at st. Joseph named Sullivan. He is
big bull, and his voice is caution. He
was imported from France and cost $50
An ordinary pair of breeders can be
bought for $5."
"Does it require much trouble to catch
the hoppers2"
No; when they are large enough for
the market they are surprised in the night
time while sitting on the banks of the
pond. Men with lanterns can readily
pick them up, for the light dazzles them.
After being captured they are killed, and
the hinder parts are packed in ice for
shipment here. Sometimes, late in the
season, which extends from spring to
winter, they are sent to us alive. We
freeze them up, and in the spring they
sell at good price. The big ones are
worth about $1.25 per dozen at this time.
They need no care from us when brought
here alive A frog will live six months
without food but during the period of
growth care is necessary that the water
they live in be pure. They thrive best
in running water where there is plenty of
grass and reeds. Such habitat is neces-
sary for them to hide themselves in for
protection. The farms are usually sur
rounded by fences, so that the frogs can
not migrate, and SO that intruders can
not molest them.
81 think the time is coming when
frog culture will be permanent indus
try. Farmers are becoming discouraged
by the successive failures of crops of the
last few years, and they must find some
thing else to raise. / think this will be
the result, that frog culture and other
lines will increase, and the result will be
a slight reaction on the staples, which are
now at low price. The raising of frogs
is a pleasant occupation and paying
one. Chicago will eat all that can
be produced in the Northwest. We have
no trouble in disposing of all that are
sent us. Sometimes our house alone sells
100 dozen in day, and there are many
others who sell about the same amount
The summer resorts take large quantities
from the wholesale trade. y Chicago
InterOcean.