.AMPHIBIA (BATRACHIA) 131 



the water. The difficulty that arises is that while the tadpole would eat 

 anything the frog will eat nothing that is not moving. A dead insect 

 on the ground will remain untouched; one that is drifting along on the 

 surface of the pond will be seized and eaten. Here, then, is the stum- 

 bling block to the frog culturist, to supply living food to the numberless 

 young frogs that he has obtained so easily. Various methods have been 

 tried. For example meat was strewn on the shore and allowed to decay 

 with the idea that it would attract flies and other insects for the frogs, 

 but the decaying meat is apt to foul the water and kill the young 



FIG. 93. Green or spring frog, Rana clamata. (After Chamberlain, Edible Frogs 



of the United States.) 



frogs and tadpoles. The only practicable method seems to be to use 

 natural ponds whose banks are covered with a rank growth of vegetation 

 that will supply the necessary insects. Such a pond should be partly 

 shaded and, of course, must not dry up as summer progresses. 



In this way, by aiding nature somewhat, frogs are successfully 

 raised at a number of places; for example in Ontario such a farm has 

 been in operation for 25 years, producing in one year as much as 5000 

 pounds of dressed legs and 7000 living frogs. 



