The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-02
CATCHING FROGS FOR MARKET.
The Way the M~aryIanders Take the
Favored Kent County Product.

The Way tho M~aryIanders Take the
Favored Kent County Product.
Iron the Baltimore Sun.
Within recent years a large trade has CROWD
up in Kent county In providing frogs for mar
keJ. The catching of frogs for their legs has
become . business, and the financial returns
are rather handsome 10 the few engaged in tho
industry. Along the small streams tributary
to the larger rivers tho big green or notified
black frogs may be found by thousands under
the tufts of flag or coarse grass. One frog
shipper has sent to the Baltimore market bun
drads of frogs lego each season. and has so In
creased the demand by the superior size and
flavor of the Kent product that he fnds 1t Inn
possible 70 meet the requirements Of the trade.
Frog legs are consumed principally by the
patrons OF the principal restaurants. Frogs,
whom cooked. are a delicate white meat. and
pourishing. and easily diRested, and are rec
commended, whom stewed, as one or the best
diets for invalids with delicate stomachs. Only
tho hind legs and quarters are eaten, and tney
are sent 70 the market ready skinned aud sailed
for cooking.
Tho market frog catcher'p method of cap
turing his game ID TO secure a small, hat-bCt-
toned boat, easy OF management, and IN the
noiselessly pushes his little craft along the
AZORES OF the small.creeks and coves. Tho bull
frogs. as they are commonly known, because
OF their deep. resonant voicess. are found sit
ing in a shallow pool or In the mud under tufts
OF heavy grass or.tiaR. The noveity.and sport
VI q hAhA 49, "tS bebAo VI
ten miles ON q hot afternoon. Two and some
times three ordinary sized perch hooks are
bound together and baited with red flannel.
The hooks are attached TO q line of about four
feet. and the line IL attached to u long, tough
anglo rod. Approaching the game noiselessly
and with extreme caution, the red flannel 10
gently moved within q few inches OF the frogs
mouth. As quick as lightning and with q
sharp croak. the frog dashes forward and swal-
lows bait, hooks ana all. Then follow us
gamey strLgRles as any Sportsman. ever saw
with hook and line.
The amateur frog hunter usually provides
himself with a cat-and-rat rife, the shells
loaned with mustard-seed shot, and shoots his
game. but this Is unsportsmanlike, and Ia only
popular with the uninitiated. Mill ponds, too.
are favorite haunts for the frog. and on u clear
night the deep roar OF the bullfroR chorus may
be heard for more than a mile.
The old-time af0re-de-war Kent county cook
has solved the mysteries OF tho perfect prepa-
ration OF the frog, and those who do not know
how delicious froge' legs may be made hfVe
many u dainty-dish in store for them. After
skinning, the legs should DO placed In cold wa
ter for several hours. then placed on a plate
and sailed. In several hours more they are
ready for cooking. The legs Of m~edium-sized
frogs are preferable, As the very large legs are
liable to DO coarse in the texture OF flesh, The
most popular way In Kent to cook them 10 by
frying, but there are other avs OF making
dishes OF thom 10 please the palate OF the most
OXactlnR epicuro.