The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-06
FARMING.
Receiving the First Importations of Birds
Interesting Facts Concerning Profits.


three times, all experiments meeting with differ
ent success or absolute failure until the estab-
lishment of the farm at Anaheim, South Gale
fornia. This, the only marked success in this
industry, was established by a corporation
organized for the purpose by Mr.. William Ziln-
norman, of San Francisco, who is now in the
city. Mr.. Zimmerman while in South Africa
some years ago became Interested in ostrich
culture, and later, when he had established
himself in California, agitated the project for
making the raising OF the birds one of the in
dustries of that State. The great difficulty was
procuring the birds, and:he received little encour-
agement until he learned in November OF
1882 that DR.. John Prothero, a young English
man, had arrived in New York with twenty-five
live birds. The ostriches were from Frazerburg,
Cape Colony, and had been sent across the South
Atlantic the previous year to Buenos Ayres ana
farmed for a season along the Plata in orderthat
they might recover from the effects of the voy-
age. The birds were exhibited for one month in
Central Park, New York, and then Mr.. thinner
man, having formed his company with $4,000
capital, purchased the birds for 100000, and be-
fore the first of the year they were in San Fran
cisco. In March they were placed upon the farm
at Anaheim, where there are now seventy in
stead of the original twenty-five ostriches.. The
first birds suffered a great loss of vitality in their
transportation, but have now recuperated, and
since they have been in the hands Of their pres
emit owners have yielded four clippings of feath,
ers,
The Mexican consul at San Francisco. J. Car
los Mexia, in a report to his government, advo-
Gated the establishment of an ostrich farm in
Mexico. The government communicated with
Mr.. Zimmerman, whom they wished to take
charge of an experimental farm within their
territory. After some correspondence they
offered him, last February, if he would under
take to introduce 200 birds over four years of age
into Mexico, 5000 premium for each bird, and
20, 900 to 3d. 900 hectares $50, 600 to 10000 acres
of good agricultural land-concessions estimated
to reach an aggregate of 100000. In addition,
the industry would be exempt for ten years from
any and all taxes, export or import duties. This
agreement now awaits the ratification of the
Mexican Congress, which meets in November.
The farm will be established in the State Of
Chihuahua, where Mr.. Zimmerman says the
climate and soil are most favorable to the sue
cess of the enterprise.
What we want in ostrich farming" he said.
lis, above all other considerations a location in a
warm, dry climate, and a sandy soil. The pla-
teaus of Mexico are elevated from 1000 to 5000
feet above the level of the sea, and in all the es-
sential points resemble the plate aus Of South
Africa, where the ostrich is native. Our terri
tory in Southern California, many portions of
New Mexico and Arizona are just as well adapted
to the industry as any portions of Cape Colony.
Marshy land is to be avoided, and the failure Of
the Sylvan lakes, Florida, attempt might have
been foretold. as that State lacks the essentials
of a sandy soil and a dry climate. If the soil is
all right the bird can stand a great deal of water.
In southern California, last year, we had forty
O4@nt lIOhCO il u NAiAO INV NCA060 1851
rainfall is only twelve inches. No i'll effects fol-
lowed with u.s.
with the proper soil and climate are not the
birds extremely hardy2"
"a bird that has passed the period Of infancy is
hardy, but requires a great deal of attention.
Indeed, to make the farming successful, an os-
trich should have the same amount Of care be-
slowed upon any farm stock in which profit is
expected. The period of infancy continues until
the bird is eighteen months old. In the first
eight months the feathers are nearly or quite
valueless, but after that the chicken feathers
are worth a little; and from the age of eighteen
months to three or four years the feathers in
crease in value, until the maximum for the bird
is attained at its maturity. They are easy to
care for up to this time, being docile and obedi-
ent, but with maturity they become passionate,
pair off, and are troublesome. There is no de-
terioration between their arrival at maturity
somewhat. The feathers never become value
less, nor the bird unproductive, though it should
live to die of old age, which would be between
the twentieth and thirtieth year.
1.-The feathers of the male are black and white,
and are of more value than the gray and white
feathers Of the female, though you seldom see
in any of your stores q natural feather. The
French have made the industry of working up
the raw stock for the market, and although
there are large establishments in New York,
employing 200 and 300 girls, and establishments
in San Francisco, yet they are in charge of the
French.
'.The black feathers are dyed a deeper hue and
given a gloss they do not possess naturally,
while the white feathers are bleached The clip
pings are made at the end Of periods of eight
months, and the product is assorted by grades.
l have seen feathers a meter long and half as
wide; but that magnificent plume would never
come on the market so; the operators would di-
vide it and supply for the under side pieces Of
inferior plumes. Intact, one Of those plumes is
worth S., and from this price the raw product
sells down as low as fifty cents a feather
'tAt what rate do the birds increase their
nnmbers2"
"A bird will lay from fifty TO ninety eggs in a
season. If artificial incubators are used, the
number of eggs laid will be forty more than if
the incubation is left to the hen. The eggs
Matched by one pair will produce at the end of
one year an average of twenty chicks who are
reasonably sure of living. The chicks are then
worth $75 to 5000 each. When old enough to
produce good feathers, the average cutting of
one bird is worth $3.50 to $3.50. We have houses
built for the accommodation Of each pair, and
they are allowed a wide range to run in. The
cost of food is small, for the birds when full
crown Will eat anything green, in fact, anything
but tin cans, and there is nothing they seem to
relish so much as short nails. There is a we'll
authenticated post norton of a bird in whose
stomach 900 mall pebbles were found. The
young eschew the nails, pebbles, etc, remaining
strict vegetarians. There are various troubles
that af1ict them, the most impor-
tant being tapeworm; The nails do
uOU Se0m 10 COuuOGrdCb LulS J6UQ6uCy
to worms. but our birds have suffered little from
it. Df. Charles j. Sketchley has charge Of our
farm, and has been very successful. His knowl
edge was gained by an experience in South
Africa"
what is the cost and profit of production2r
II have not the data to give you the exact cost
Of the production, but United States Consul
Siler, of Cape Town, in his report to the govern
ment at Washington, said there was an average
profit Of from 80 to &c per cent. on the invest
ment made annually by those engaged in the
industry there; while here, owing to the demand
there will be for chicks, / think the profits can
be reasonably expected to be higher. Our Ana
helm farm has just about recovered from the
trials and troubles incident to its beginning, and
can as yet hardly be said to be making money.
Yet we see the industry can succeed in those
territories 1 named, and expect before long
handsome returns"
Where will you get your birds to fill the