New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-06
GREAT CONSUMPTION or FROGS.
THE UNRESTRICTED HUNTING OF THEM FOR
FOOD MAKES FROG FARMS PROFITABLE.


FOOD MAKES FROG FARMS PROFITABLE.
From The Philadelphia Record
France has long been regarded as the nation Of
frog -eat ers" but IL Is established fact that the
United States OF America now consumes just twice
as many frogs France. The annual catch OF
with a gross value to the hunters of $4,000. while
the yearly cost of frogs and frogs legs to consum
The value Of frogs as food is now thoroughly rG ga1y
wholesome and palatablc. Although eaten at all
seasons 1t Is In best condition in fall and winter;
in spring 1t is of relatively inferior quality only
the mind legs commonly utilized, the meat on
the other parts OF the body being edible but In very
se ma af the s and f"rF Of
Importance in fifteen States. while In nearly an
taken for local or home consumption. The states
supplying the largest quantities for the markets
Maryland. Virginia. Ohio and Indiana. and Of these
New-York leads the list. The special localities
where frog hunting is done the marshes of the
western end OF Lake Erie, the Lewis and Grand
reservoirs. in ohio; the marshes OF the Sacrament3
the Kankakee River, Indiana; Oneida Lake. Seneca
River and other waters Of Northpn New and
ns ISL rrf Rye IN s "d
The unrestricted hunting OF frogs has caused
frog farms for their artificial propagation and
raising. are coming into vogue me iarge So OF
basin. 1t has been in operation about twenty
years and annually yields comparatively iarge
means OF mature mated frogs. No attempt is made
&C mine the froSs until the time or shipment ap-
proaches when they are taken alive at night, win
the aid Of n torchght. and confined In small pens,
These are then drained and the frogs captured
when they arc desired for market. No food ~
given, as this Is naturally present In sufilolent
amount for successful growth. The species IS the
Eastern bullfrOg. which reaches maturity Ill tnree
years. and reaches marketable size in -FOUR years
During the last three years this farm yielded an
nuay five thousand pounds Of dressed frog legs
and seven thousand living frogs for scientific pur-
poses and for stocking other waters.
The species commonly eaten are the bullfrOg. me
green frog. the spring frog and the western Dull
frog. The most widely distributed is the common
frog, known yarously the spring frog, shad
frog or leopard frog II is found from the A.,
iantic coast 10 the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and
from Lake Athabasca. in Canada. to Ciuatemaa;
Central America. II reaches a length OF three ana
a half inches. exclusive OF legs
The green frog is found in The eastern part OF
the United States and Canada. This frog is cspc-
caIly aquatic In habits. not hunting for food on
land. and frequentng all kinds of fresh waters.
The pickerel frog marsh frog or tiger frog r"sem-
blcS the leopard frog. but may BE- readily distin-
gushcd from it by the bright yellow on the thighs
and legs. This particular frog has dsagreeahe
odor and 1t j. but rarely eaten. The bullfroG T.
the largest Of North American frogs, reaching
body length of eight inches. II has very much
the sam" geographical range as the spring frog.
The Western bufrOgs are not 50 well Known, ara
range from Montana west to Puget SOUND. thence
south to California.