Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-02-10
MIcHlGAN'S FROG RANCH.
A Farm Stocked with Tadpoles, Polly.
wogs and Small Imported CrOokers.

a Farm STOCKED Win IAupOles,
wogs and Small Imported Crookers.
Mr.. Stephens owns several acres OF
land adjoining the city of st. Joseph,
Mich, on the south. Throug!l tho farm
runs largo ravine, at the head OF which
are never-failing springs of pure water.
At some distance below the springs are
located the frog ponds-throe in num-
Der. Water is supplied to the ponds
through pipe from IA large, deep lake
formed by dam placed across the
rayine near the springs. The largest
of the ponds is well filled with lily
pads, Canada bog moss, and other varie-
ties of water plants said to be essential
to the life of the frog. The smaller
ponds are fringcd with these plants,
while the ccntcrs are kept comparative
ly clear. Mr.. Stevens estimates that
there are now no less than 200, 900 tad
poles, pollywogs and small frogs in the
three ponds, and his statement is I'M
doubtedly correct, as the bottoms of the
ponds are literally covcAl with
these peculiar looking little fell
lows These will be ready for the mar
ket early next summer, and will bring
anywhere from $l.21 to s. u dozen. Most
of them will be shipped to Chicago, and
will find their way into the fashionable
hotels and restaurants. Frogs for breed
ing purposes, which are raised on this
farm in great numbers, bring 81 Il dozen.
There are in the ponds about 600 full
grown frogs kept for breeders, and these
are fed by hand at regular intervals to
prevent them from dovouring the small
er frogs. Every day 4 certain number
of them are found out of the water wait
ing for their meal. They are fed on
beef liver by means of n long pole with
string attached On the end of the
string piece of liver is fastened, which
is dangled before the eyes of 4 hungry
froggY, who secures it by jumping. 1t
is said that one feeding satisfies frog
for about two weeks. They are very
fond Of birds, and often succeed in capt
uring u sparrow that may chance to
alight on the ground near where 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 Grip
pied by fighting. Ono has lost fore
leg entire and another has Il broken
and mutilatcd hind leg. The largest
bull in the ponds is called sullivan, and
he is able to whip any of the other
grcen-headcd pugilists on the premises.
The frogs live in families of generally
one male and not less than five females,
each household occupying some shell
tered nook along the shore of the ponds.
The ponds are protected from the en-
croachments Of the public by high
board fence, which also prevents the
frogs from escaping. Mr.. Stevens is
law i,,c out hot, Il ,,,,I
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 mark"! alter night by the
light of Il torch or lantern, as after dark
they are always found sitting on the
banks, and can easily be approached and
picked up. In the daytime they are
quite shy, and can only be caught With
tliculty.-Chicago News.