PUBLIC DOCUMENT No. 25. 43 



general way were very good, even better than anticipated, 

 except in the case of the landlocked salmon, which failed to 

 mature as rapidly as usual, but which otherwise did excep- 

 tionally well. 



Improvements during the past year include a concrete 

 bottom in the lower part of the pond, the installation of a 

 proper drainage system, and the construction of a basin around 

 the spring to insure obtaining the maximum amount of water. 

 Our present plans will increase the capacity of the station to 

 the extent of keeping 600,000 trout fry in growing condition 

 from January to April. This will probably represent the maxi- 

 mum capacity to which it is possible to develop this place, 

 owing to the fact that the water supply is limited. Therefore 

 we do not expect to ask for further appropriations in the 

 development of this station. 



FROG FARMING. 



It must be admitted that the humble frog is a valuable 

 friend to all, and a real asset to the agriculturist. Generally 

 it is not known that there exists no greater destroyer of the 

 insect family. While in the tadpole stage it subsists entirely 

 upon living organisms such as the mosquito wiggler, and as an 

 adult greedily devours the cutworm, grasshopper, army worm, 

 mosquito and countless other forms of insect life which annually 

 take a billion dollars out of the pockets of the farmers. 



The point has now been reached where a real "frog busi- 

 ness" can be established profitably. The dealer is assured of 

 never wanting a market for his product. He may furnish frogs 

 to colleges for experimental and educational purposes, to 

 zoological gardens and menageries for snake feeding, and may 

 sell to hostelries for table use. The farmer may well add to 

 his revenue by utilizing the little old unused swamp for frog 

 rearing. Artificial propagation, if resorted to extensively, 

 would insure perpetuation, and at the same time be attractive 

 as a financial investment. Already steps have been taken in 

 the State of Pennsylvania to protect the frog by providing a 

 legal closed season during the months of March and April. 



