The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-11-17
HABITS OF FROGS.
The ClaMmy HOppers Follow Regular
Leaders and Travel About
in Big DrOves.

one of the most noted old residents Of
the northwest.
This is what Mr.. La Bissonierre had
to say:
Frogs are just like geese, in that
they have a leader and travel in huge
flocks. During the warm weather they
are scattered all over the country, and
you are likely to find them in the woods
or in the public street, but at the first
touch of cold weather they begin tc
congregate for all the world like lot
of birds getting ready to go south fol-
the winter
Being cold-blooded animals-if ami.
mails they can be called-the frogs dread
the cold weather, and when the first
frost comes they start for the deep wa.
ter, to the bottom of which they sink
and cover themselves with mud, in
which they spend the winter, emerg.
ing again in the spring ready to dc
their duty by the fishermen or by the
man who loves frogs hind legs.
Each party of frogs has its own
leader, generally big fellow who
has knocked around the world and who
has become wise as to the ways of man
This leader travels all over the coun-
try, collecting the frogs of his band
calling them with a peculiar 'chug
chug! which can be heard long dis
lance. After the frogs have been col
lected a sort of conference is held, dur
ing which subleaders are appointed by
the leader proper.
''Then the start is made for deer
water, which in this case happens to be
the Minneapolis reservoir, the frogs
avoiding the river as much as possible
on account of the swift current. Every
mile or so stop is made, scouts are
sent out and additions to the band are
brought in. In this way the journey
TO the reservoir is continued, some
times a week or so being consumed in
making the trip.
ARRIVING at the reservoir, another
conference is held, when it is likely
the best method of getting over the
fence which surrounds the place is de-
bated, Some persons seem to think
frogs can be kept out by means of wire
fence, but in this they are mistaken,
for there is nothing better frogs like
than getting over wire fences, especial
ly if the fences are warranted to keep
them out
Did you ever see frog climb? Well,
if you want to see not one Of them, but
thousands, just go to the reservoir this
fall, and your curiosity viii be more
than satisfied. You will see all the
frogs in northeastern Minneapolis start
for that fence and go over 1t as thor
oughbred jumping horse would go over
two-rail fence. They have learned
how by long experience.
Sometimes some of the young frogs
are unable to muster strength enough
to make the jump with any degree of
satisfaction to the leaders, and then
there Is u scene so funny that no man
can help laughing. The little frogs
are lined up alongside of the wire fence,
and then the leaders come at them with
u rush, uttering croaks of anger and
rage. The little frogs, alarmed by this
demonstration, and no doubt thinking
they are to be destroyed, begin to
climb,
THAT is what the leaders want. AS
soon as the youngsters are part way
up the fence the leaders climb after
them, and literally boost them to the
top, as one small boy would boost an
other over a garden WALL. When the
little fellows have reached the top the
leaders give vent to their satisfaction
by chuckles of delight, and any man
who has studied the habits of the crea-
lures can almost understand what they
are saying.
after reaching the inside of the res
ervoir the frogs rest for a day or so.
during which time they hold grand
reunion, the members of each band be-
coming acquainted with the members
of the other bands, and no doubt eX-
changing experiences regarding life in
the outer world. This reunion is gen
orally continued until the first real
cold night. when the frogs all disap-
pear, going to the bottom, where they
remain until the water warns up in the
springtime.
when the weather gets warm after
the ice has gone out the leaders are
the first ones to emerge from their win
ter quarters. They rise to the surface,
and with many a croak call the mem
bers of their bands to the sunlight.
This Is the time the young frogs-the
very young ones, l mean-make their
appearance. The spawn floats around
on the surface of the water, and in or
der to eXterminate the amphibians all
this spawn should be skinned off.
This is where my secret method
comes into play. If am given permits
sion to rid the reservoir of the frogs
| will begin work at once, and when
the springtime comes there will not be
one left in the reservoir. The pres
ent fence is no good as a frog-stopper.
There is an important feature lacking,
and when l have added that, and then
removed all the spawn in the spring,
you will never again be able to find a
frog or the trace of frog in the place"
Minneapolis Tribune.
II had dyspepsia fifty years and
never found permanent relief till l used
Kocol Dyspepsia Cure. Now l am well
and feel like new man." writes S J.
Fleming, Murray, Neb. 1t is the best
dige. tant known. Cures all forms of in
digestion. Physicians everywhere pre-
"a n