The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1878-05-10

VSlnlCnsfA BxkN0s
How che Busfness IL Carried On ~ eousl
Africa-The Iscubssien
Formerly the ostrich was hunted b
men on horseback; but of late wears Iii
demand for the feathers Of these bird
has elevated the breeding and raising o
ostriches to the position OF one Of fh'
great industriesof Southern Africa. Tel
years ago gentleman named Douglass
residing near Grahamstown, in Cape
Colony, conceived the project Of what Il
now known as ostrich-farming. Having
experimental with few wild birds, and
found that they would lay in confine-
ment, he next set TO work TO devise
some method Of artificial Matching. For
three years he met with but little sue
cess, but finally he invented the
patent incubator, since when he has
prosecuted his scheme In manner that
has made him famous.
BY means Of the incubator the IL birds
with which the experiment was first
tried have been increased to 900, and
these being scattered throughout the
district, have made ostrich-farming near
lyaspopular among the residents OF Cape
Colony as misunderstanding or sheep
raising. The farm of Mr.. Douglass is
situated short distance from Grahams-
town, and occupies about 1920 acres of
rough ground, formerly devoted TO wool
growing. The country around was. I'M
til within short period, used as Sheep
walks, but certain deterioration in the
grasses rendered 1t improbable for such
purposes. The quality is yet, howev-
er, sufficiently good to satisfy the os-
trich- q much less fastidious creature
than q sheep.
There are at present on the farm
about 800 birds, which are allowed to
run in large Enclosures. One of these
is 5000 acres in size, and has within il
a troop Of 24O birds. Once q week they
are all hunted up by men on horseback.
armed with large boughs Of thorn to
keep the birds of, as many are very
savage, and their kick is dangerous.
One man goes in front, with a pack
horse loaded with Indian corn, to lead
them. The farm itself i divided into
paddocks, and, with those which are
breeding, one cock with two hens occu-
pies each paddock. The Young birds
for they do not breed till they are 3
years old-or those which are not pair
ed, run in flocks Of 80 or 40 each. They
are subject to diseases which, Of course.
require attention, and are apt TO dam
age themselves, sometimes breaking |
their own bones and getting themselves |
caught in the wire fences. Otherwise
hey are hardy creatures, which can
stand much heat and cold, can do for
ong periods without water, require no
ielicate feeding, and give, at existing
prices, ample returns for the care be-
slowed upon them.
The first necessity in artificial ostrich
Matching is to procure the eggs. For
his purpose the farmer provides
himself with an assortment Of dunn
ny eggs, consisting Of egg-shells
blown and filed with sand. By means
# these he Is usually successful in al
uring the hens to lay. The birds are
o large and the land is so open that
here is little difficulty in watching their
naneuvers and obtaining the eggs As
DON as they are in existence. As each
gg Is worth from $50 to S25, there will
a course Of time be naturally much
to theft. As vet. however.
here is no market for the reception of
he stolen goods, and to steal an ostrich
&c with no means for Matching it
Tould be a useless piece of dishonesty.
The incubator is rather an awkward
iece Of pine furniture, some eight or
inc feet long, standing on four legs. At
ach end there are two drawers. The
ggs are first covered with some ar
angement Of flannel, and are then laid
the drawers, the latter being connect
q with screwing apparatus, by means i,
which they are raised or lowered to !
ne extent OF two or three inches. Above !
ne drawers, and extending over the J
hole Of the upper part Of the machine,
tank filed with hot water. Each
rawer, which contains about fifteen (
ygs, when filed and closed, is screwed
P 50 as to bring the side Of the egg In !
ontact with the tank. In this way the I
ecessary warmth is applied. Below the /
lachine and in the center Of It lamps '
re placed, which keep the temperature
the water up TO the right degree. The
'cubating room Is large building 50
instructed as not to be affected by
mango Of weather. Here several incu- Il
ators are at work. The work of hatch 4
e the eggs Is most complicated, and /,
'quires not only care but a capacity for s
acing results, which Is by no means a b
,mmon gift. The ostrich turns her I.
e frequently, so that each side Of II !
ay receive due attention. The ostrich 4
rmer must, therefore, turn his eggs. Z
his he does about three times day. v
certain amount Of moisture is re- !
hired, rs in nature moisture exudes +
ON the sitting bird. The heat must '
moderated according to Circumstance a
/, or the yolk becomes glue and the h