New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-28
FOR FROGS LEGS.
Hoo Industry of Supplying 1t Has
Grozcn Up IN Minnesota.

Ct Paul Jan Is Specialist. Paul and Mime
apos are the largest frog markets In the world.
The total receipts for the last year from the frog
catchers OF the State exceeded 10000 dozen. re-
curing the slaughter Of less than 100000 frogs
Five years ago no frogs were shipped out OF Mn
ussota Now the business amounts 70 upward Of
10000 a year. a wonderful industry has grown
up IN St. Paul and Minneapolis IN supplying the
United States with frogs legs. Frogs are found in
other States. Of course. In the South the supply
will probably never become exhausted. but there
are no frogs Ike the Minnesota product for the
epicure This Is attributed 70 the clear cool water
which is found IN Niinnesotas ten thousand lakes.
IN which the frogs live and have their nests.
Frogs legs are purchased all through the state
By shippers from the two cities. and this oCcupa-
ton gives employment TO more than one hundred
families. who make a good living the year around
The professional frog catcher can tell a frog pond
ut a glance. and they can locate the frog nests
and secure the greatest number in a surprisingly
short space OF time
Minnesota caught frogs are known the world over
for their decacy IN flavor They a-e in great
demand IN Nev-York. Cincinnati. in all the At
lantc States in California. and. in fact. I'm every
State north Of ST. Louis. and the demand is con-
stantly Increasing The greatest demand for
frogs legs exists In the larger cities. and comes
largely from hotels and restaurants. but through
out the coal and iron districts good demand for
them r. growing. In St Paul and Minneapolis
frogs less are to be found on the bill Of fare Of
nearly every hotel and restaurant Here they cost
from s. TO 90 cents dozen
The frog catchers are located near the smaller
lakes through the State They know all the char
acteristics Of the frog. where to ind him. how 70
catch him and where he nests The heaviest
catches are IN the fall and spring In the spring
the frogs come out Of their nests in droves and It
IS then easy TO catch them In the fan they re-
turn to the water as soon cold weather ap-
breaches. and &c IS very easy to capture great
quantities OF them at that time. The frogs breed
very EAST and as il only requires a couple OF
months for them 20 attain fun size, II IS easy 10
understand how almost impossible II will be TO ex-
'hauSt the supply TO DO found in and around the
various lakes and r9uds of tho state which prob
ably number more than one hundred thousand
breeding places
Unlike that for OYSTERS there IS A good demand
for frogs legs all The year round and ft IS neces-
sarv TO hunt them en- the winter time, when the
ground is frozen to the depth Of two three feet
ana the fee covers the ponds 20 the thickness OF
from tweuty-four TO thirty-slx inches. When they
take To the water in the fall the professional frog
catcher watches them and learns where they nest.
He waits until the prices higher in the winter.
and cuts the Zee over this nest scooping out great
nests Full OF frogs. IS many as 800 to 1000 can be
secured in one Of these nests I'm good seasons This
keeps up the supply the year round. and makes the
market a steady one, comparatively No effort
has Yet been made TO establish frog hatcheries
TO cultivate the frog. she natural supply being so
great
The frog catcher kills the frogs with a stick. and
gathers them up in his bag he walks around the
various lakes and ponds. Tie has no capital In
vested. and realizes from g TO SO a day for the
time he is employed IN the occupation The aver
age price obtained for frogs legs in this market at
wholesale Il from 70 cents dozen IN the
summer, but they 90 high as Is cents FL the
winter months. Tho demand for frOSs' legs Is
steady from certain customers OF the St Paul
shippers. One OF the leading New-york hotels
has standing order for dfty dozen day Cin-