St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1893-05-20
0ATRAcHlANS AS PET&.
he W0aderfal Frog Coloov Owned ~
weat0fn New York Mam

eATRAcHlANs a. PETS.
he Wosderfsl Frog Colosv Owned ~ .
Weat0fa New York Man
Horace Hoa4. Of Horton. Orleans
county, has attained the height Of edp-
cess in training frogs, says . BufRa1d
correspondent Remarkable as are the
achievements Of Pliny Jewell. %
related in Forest and Stream. the do.
gree Of proficiency that Mr. Hos9 has
inculcated in his colony cf frogs n eveA
more astonishing. they not only come
obedieht to his call to got their food,
but they have learned to understand
| many commands, and have been taught
10 perform evolutions with something
like precision, thus demonstrating sn
intelligence hardly credible. Mr.. RoaS
In very proud Of the accomplishments
Of his strange pets, ansdwill give In ex.
hibition 10 anyone who calls At his
place.
Behind his house il . large pond, and
herein Is his colony Of batrachians. that
esn not be equaled for size and educa-
ton In the land. Mr.. Hoag has spent
all his time for ten years teaching his
amphiblous class, and says he has de.
rived enough amusement from his d.
version 10 make life enjoyable even to
. man with but one leg. living in 4 ID
cality where congenial companions are
few.
''Now. You just come out with me in
the boat." said Mr.. H0a2 cheerily to
his visitor, land I will show you what
I've done. Most everybody round here
has heard about 'noag's frogs but
you'll be the 9rst newspaper chap that
ever seen EN-"
As the little ski6 Rlided over the sur
face Of the crystal water the writer
looking down could zee the bottom
very distinctly. Scattered over the
gravel were dozens of big conch shells,
but no signs of amphibious inhabit-
ants were visible. "You see, said
Mr.. Hoog. "that it il about one o'clock.
and the frogs from twelve 70 one are
taking u siesta. Now begins their
hour Of play" He gave . shrill whis-
tie. and all at once from each she'll
hoped . big frog that kicked his way
up to the surface in . hurry, where he
Lay on the water with legs extended
and great gogele eyes staring 1t the
occupants Of the boat It was An
ecrie sight. tn see all those frogs, Of
every size and kind, from plain black
to yellow spotted. ly ing there with an
almost intellectual look in their eyes.
The legs stretched ont would have
been worth . small fortune At any
swell eating house.
''Attention!'' shouted Hoag. and
every leg drew close to the body and
the attitude for action was taken.
''Form in line" and the trained am-
phibians formed in four lines. with an
old giant At their head. who. Mr.. Hoag
said. weighed six pounds and four
ounceA He WAS enormous and looked
~ though he had dincd on his weaker
brethren for generations Of tadpoleA
Then, At the word Of command, they
performed all kinds of evolutionA
Every leg kicked in perfect unison, and
they appeared to be thirsting for real
fray. They charged with fiery elan
that would do credit to \ banner
French brigade. and Il Seemed as
though they were animated BY the sig
nal thought Of doing their level best.
Their evolutions were astonishing In
number and variety. and one might
we'll believe Mr.. Hoag's statement
that IL took him over ten years work
10 get this select company into such
perfect discipline.
Then races were held, and when .
fat mouse or an English sparrow was
given to the winner the cold. frcEEish
hearts seemed 70 rejoice. At . word
they dove down to their acquatie home
and each one selected his own shell
without effort. They had houses and
knew where to dnd them. At last the
supper hour came, and Mr.. Hoag fed
the frogs on their usual diet Of fsh,
crabs and mice. He fed them each In
turn, and made al Jump above the
water 70 reach the desired rcfreshment,
and when the last frog was fed down
they al went to their homes In the sea-
shells for rest and quiet The reporter
then accompanied Mr.. Hosg into the
house, and was there treated 10 IA ~.
petising supper. accompanied with .
couRh-destroyinR mixture.
"What Won have seen my frogs do 90
far 10 very wonderful. but their chic
accomplishment you have not seen, or
heard, I should say. Why. it Is the
wonder Of the whole country, and peo.
pie come miles to hear my frcga You
wait till dusk and I will have them
perform. The reporter was bursting
with curiosity. but managed TO refrain
from asking any questions - TO this
particular feat Of the frogs At last
dusk came and Mr.. Hoag took the re.
porter out TO the edge Of She water
and gave him . seat he then brought
out the musicisn's stAnd and placed Il
st the edge Of the water. At . signal
note the frogs came to the surface Of
the water and jsmped into the stand.
At Mr.. lfosgis command they began
70 sing. Each frog had been selected
because Of his nne croak. II was won.
derful. Their voices rose ON the even.
ing air, filling the place with melody
and giving Joy TO the heart Of Mr..
Hoag by their excellent performance.
The largest and oldest frog sang the
deepest bass. and . little fellow. almost
. tadpole. sung in . shrill soprano Mr..
Hoag said that during the hot months
their voices werc clearer and sweeter
than now. but - cold weather came on
they grew hoarser and hoarser until
the day Of their hibernation. An old
hullfrcg acted - hendmaster. and gave
them time BY leapinR up and down with
wonderful alacrity.
Il was . wonder Of wonders TO hear
those frogs sin&. not with hoarse. gut
teral voices. but In clear souorous
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