The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1874-01-17
FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN DIA-
MOND FIELDS.
Letter to Montanian From a Merchant
in South Africa.

in South Africa.
(The following communication, written
by reliable acquaintance of his, is handed
us by Mr.. William Hyde, and contains
probably as correct ideas and as unvarn-
ished, practical truths in relation to the
South African Diamond Fields as find their
way into print. ED. n. n. W.
Office of Messrs T. & l. TrLBRooK
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
September 9TH 1873
DEAR GEORGE Your letter came to
hand on the 22d Of August, after having
been over two months on the journey. 1t
being dated the 10th of June and this being
the first out going mail, take the opportu-
| nifty of replying to the same.
Respecting your inquiries as to the ad-
vantages Of the Cape Colony, am only too
pleased in being able to tender you every
information bearing on the subject; and, as
far as lays in my power, shall always be
most happy to assist you in whichever way
| can be of the best service tc yourself.
AS regards stage-coach driving, We have
but little of that kind of thing in Africa,
and really all of the whips are "natives, -
they being better able to endure the fatigue
than Europeans, and their pay is certainly
not so great in proportion to the amount
| paid in America.
| DIAMOND DIGGINGs UNPRoFITABLE.
In speaking of the Fields, there has GER
certainly been very large amount of mon
ey made in various ways, through that par
ticular channel, and it still continues as
fourishing as ever; but as in all such cases,
there are twenty blanks to one prize, and it
| is much overstocked with young fellows
striving to make their fortunes. 1t would
be most serious mistake for any one to
come out at the present time with the idea
of gaining wealth by digging for diamonds.
Just before receiving your letter, had
undertaken trip of 200 miles into the III
terror of the country on business matters,
the firm am with being about to place me
in trade on my own account, and the place
/ had decided upon is situated in the centre
of large sheep district. OF course, in my
journey up and down had opportunities
Of observing and gaining information re-
specting sheep and goat farming in South
Africa.
Now, George, if you are the young fellow
that take you to be froYH what | know OF
from the tone of your letter, that is, steady,
industrious chap, not ashamed to undergo
certain amount of hard work, why, then,
| say that there is splendid opening fol
such men in this country, and you cannot
fail to do well in the course of a few years
SHEEP AND GOAT HERDING.
What mean to say is, that supposing
you could come out here with about $50 te
e10O in money that you knew how to take
care of, and entered into an engagement fol
twelve months with one OF the farmers as
overlooker or n kind of Bailiff, just to gel
an insight into the system and ways o.
managing the tlocks, after which you coult
rent a government farm of about 10000
morgan in extent-that is equivalent tt
90, 600 acres-for the sum of from e3O tt
e4O per annum for the said number of acres
under a twenty-one year lease.
HOW MANAGED AND THE PROFITS.
Your first work would be to make dams
to retain a certain supply of water, tina
being of the greatest Importance, as w
often go six months without any rainfall
This completed you could easily obtain TIL
REQUIRED number of sheep and goats t
stock the land, the latter being very profit
able on account of their skins. They cal
culate being able to run-on such farm a
have mentioned-abOut 5000 sheep an
1000 goats: the former they shear twice
wear and with wool, in the grease, at nlr
pence per pound, you can easily understan
that with good seasons it is first rate pay
ing undertaking.
NOT ALL FAIR SAILING.
You must bear in mind that it is not a
fair sailing, for you have to contend agaln'
drought, when YOU are very liable to ioos
half vour flock, and sometimes it carries o
every one of them. This, of course, takt
the gilt off the gingerbread, but takin
the average it is certainly very good spe
: ulation.
We have but very little land under cult
walton, it having to be irrigated, which do
not pay in proportion to Wooi-growing,
they only produce sufficient oats to feed tt
horses.
do not know of anything else by who
!. von are likely to really make any hcadwa
excepting it be trade, and to that you see
to entertain the greatest objection; thouf
after all, it is the one which pays tne pes
d because of being more certain IN It's return
of Still. I never blame any one for steeri
e ss clear of it if they can possibly manage
do So for after all it is the one thing me
unsuitcd to man, and appeitains oniy
womanhood.
4 LITTLE GOOD ADVICE.
's There is one part Of your letter which
do not like, and that is where yoa speak
wishing to track about, merely to see
country OF, as you again put it, lus.
oct your wild oats sown. Now TIM
! that you win agree with me that such n