The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-12-21
Ostrich Farming.

Twenty-Five ostrichcs, ton males and
twelve females were taken TO Central
Park, recently, by DR.. Prothre, who win
keep them there until he has settled n
suitable place for an ostrich farm in
America The price Of ostrich feathers.
all of which are imported and pay 20
per cent, duty, is very high and in order
to supply the trade the farm was started
about four years ago, ut lloboken, by
Mr.. Charles Reche.
There were only six birds on the
farm, and for while they thriyed very
well, but suddenly the birds began to
fall sick, and in short time all Of them
were dead. They were dissected, and
it was found that they. had gained fat
rapidly, but not strength. DR. Prolhre
was found the other day aboard the
steamship Horror, now lying in East
river and WAS asked 10y The reporter
about his birds
I'VE arrived from Buenos Aynas, Said
Dr. Prothre with twenty-five ostrichos
on board, These birds are part Of
large cargo recently shipped by mo from
the southern part of Africa to BuenOs
Ayrcs. They are all about eight years
old. Some Of them have bred, and 9th.
crs arc now ready to breed, but the cold
weather will stop them from doing so.
You probably want to know why | have
brought the birds to this country, | will
tell YOU. have large ostrich farms in
Bueuos Ayrcs, and | have been extens.
lively exporting ostrich feathers from
there. The birds there are all brought
from Africa. The idea now is to start
similar farm here in the United States.
| will shortly 90 through the Southern
States, and select the site for farm -
The birds can live here in any place
where temperature does not fall deg.
below the freezing point The feathers
are now sent from Africa and, after 20
per cent, tariff is paid, there is still a
good profit; SO you can see what profit
there will be if We can raise tho birds,
| think too, that the birds will multiply
faster here than in South Africa, fot
there drought frequently kills three
quarters of ones stock. have known
years there when not one drop of rain
has fallen during an entire twelve
months. Food is also very scarce in
South Africa Mr.. Baker, United States
Consul at Buenos Ayres, was-the first
person who gave me the idea of starting
an American ostrich farm. II / am sue.
cessful will start extensive farms and
will guarantee cheaper prices and much
more elegant feathers than are now seen
on ladies hats on Broadway
What is one of your oStriches worth?"
asked the reporter
II value them at 81 800 each. They
are very dear, but their feathers are of
much finer kind than any in New York.
Feathers in general use here come from
Barbary birds in the northern part OF
Africa"
How often do you pluck the birds
feathcrsp"
Every seven months we cut feathers
and allow quilts to grow for about q
month longer. White feathers are worth
about Sl75 a pound"
What do you feed the birds on?"
Generally we give them grain and
grass. If the weather is not too cold,
see no reason why the farms should not
be started here. All the birds want is a
place to run in and some homes, small
stones and grass to feed on. The cost
OF keeping them is little or nothing"
Dr. Prothrc further states that he
would start the farm in New York, Shut
that he expected in few years there
would be many farms in the South, and
that Oh account Of the high prices of rent
here he would be unableto compete with
them -NeU York Herald,