THE OREGON SPORTSMAN 



171 



on the success of the venture until next season, but I see no reason 

 why they will not do well, as identically the same conditions exist 

 here, weather and otherwise, as where they are found in Idaho. 



I inquired of several managers of grilles as to the possibility of 

 getting a market for frogs' legs and all without exception said that 

 the only reason why they were not on their respective menus was 

 that they were unable to procure them. This, and the great number 

 of inquiries I have had from all parts of Eastern Oregon and elsewhere 

 since the undertaking has been made public, leads me to believe that 

 if persons owning land surrounding sloughs or ponds would stock the 

 waters with this frog they would, if successful, have no difficulty in 

 procuring good prices for the legs in the market. 



For the benefit of those who might think of stocking some of 

 the waters in their section, will state what little I have been able to 

 find out regarding the kind of places suitable and conditions favorable 

 to the propagation of this amphibia. The pond or slough, running- 

 water is not advisable, must have mud bottom, be deep enough so that 

 there is no danger of the water freezing to the bottom during the 

 winter season and contain vegetable matter favorable to the propaga- 

 tion of water insects and a fringe of willows or other brush furnishing 

 shade. Regarding conditions other than this, will say that ducks, and 

 muskrats are said to be very injurious to the young frogs and that it 

 would be practically useless to place them in ponds where either this 

 specie of bird or animal were abundant. The females are said to lay 

 from three to five thousand eggs during the season and that they will 

 mature to marketable size within from one year to fifteen months from 

 the time of hatching. 



In conclusion, I might say that the fully developed frog will stand 

 shipment alive for long distances if properly cared for in transit, and 

 that the common toad will disappear from all waters where the larger 

 specie become abundant. It is not whether it is a case of "the big fish 

 eat the little fish" or not, but, nevertheless, it seems to be an estab- 

 lished fact. I might also add that the frogs for stocking purposes can 

 be procured for $1.00 per dozen at Payette, Idaho. 



I will gladly assist any one who desires, to procure frogs for stock- 

 ing purposes, as I am deeply interested in the matter and believe if 

 conditions are favorable, generally, over Oregon, they will some day 

 to some extent take the place of some of our game animals and birds 

 which are becoming so few, and thereby furnish recreation and food for 

 the sportsman in localities where other game does not abound. And 

 lastly and of greater importance, to myself at least, as my venture has 

 been taken lightly by some, I want to see "the scoffer return to pray," 

 as I verily believe he will after he has overcome his prejudice and 

 tasted some of these legs cooked by a chef who knows how to serve them. 



