Food for Frogs.
Caution, from this time on, animal food only. No chopped meat, as Frogs will not eat it, and it will decay and cause a stench. Do not attempt to feed it to frogs. This is the time that care must be taken to see that your Frogs get plenty of the proper kind of animal food. If they are not kept supplied, they will turn to and eat each other, and in this way destroy many a pound of good Frog meat, that is worth "One Dollar a pound" or more. As the tadpoles hatch out prolifically, it's wise to keep a quantity of these and the Small Frogs on hand to feed the larger ones that are being gotten ready for market. By having a number of small ponds, this stock can be kept on hand for this purpose. A plant that will grow on top of the water furnishes many insects, as well as perching places to basque, in the sun, and catch a passing unsuspecting fly. It also affords a shady place to get under on a hot day, with head above water looking for food. One of the best and easiest ways to furnish live food is to soak a number of potato or feed bags with molasses, and fasten them up around the ponds, just above the ground. This draws the flies, and they will come within reach of the Frogs, and as you will see by the cut at top of this paragraph, the tongue of the Frog is developed to be of service in catching them. Small tadpoles from other species of frogs, that are not eatable, make good food for them. These can be found in large quantities along most any stream, or in any pool of water. Wood lice or sow-bugs are good. In planting vegetable matter in the ponds be sure and always plant from seed, as in transplanting you may bring Leeches into your ponds, which are very destructive to the Frogs, and act on the Frogs the same as chicken lice do on chicken, and in time will kill the Frog, and at all times retard its growth. If your Frogs do not thrive well look for Leeches.
Important. If it is necessary to feed your Frogs on small fry from fishes or on tadpoles and small Frogs, it might be well to have a supply pond, which can be small, and in feeding it is only necessary to feed twice a week, and can be done by putting quantities here and there in the ponds, and let the Frogs catch them as they swim about. Three gillies, tadpole or small Frogs is considered a fair meal for each Frog.
Catching the Frogs.
There are several ways by which to catch the Frogs when ready to market. If they are to be dressed they can be speared; this is done with a handle like is found on an ordinary house broom with a fish spear fastened in the end. One of the best times to spear them is at night with a light as they come on the bank at night to catch bugs. They can also be caught very readily with a hand net, same as used in landing trout. This net can be purchased at most any hardware store, or where they keep fishing tackle. If the Frogs are to be marketed alive they must be caught in this way. In shipping them alive always put wet weeds from the pond in bottom of box if they are to go any distance, and put instructions on the box for agent to keep the weeds wet while in transit. This will insure safe delivery of live frogs.
Some Things About Frogs.
