Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1896-07-01
MONEY IN OSTRiCHES.
An Experiment TO BE Made in Florida
to Raise These Birds.

An TX pertinent to BE Made in Florida
to Raise These Birds.
ut occurred to me many years ago"
said Mr.. H. j. Tifiin, that il ostrich
farming could be successfully carried IN
in California, the same might be done
here, especially II it were simply a uues-
ton of climatic adaptability, for the
climate of east Florida is more similar
to that of South Africa, the habitat of
the bird, than is that of California. |
have closely watched the progress of
these latter farms, becoming more in
terested yearly, so that last fall, when,
In Atalanta, | had an opportunity to
purchase some ostriches, | secured two,
male and female. and brought them to
my Indian River place ON Merritt ISL
and, which Is about latitude 2S These
birds did so well, seeming so perfectly
at home and we'll adapted to the condi-
tions, that | went back to Atlanta and
bought the lot. fifteen in all, some of
them very large and valuable, and |
now have Them all at home. Most Of
them were raised on a Los AngeleJ
farm, but few are native African
birds.
Tho value of an ostrich In South
Africa is about $500. | bought mine
for little more than 500 apiece so that
l may be said to have made quite n BAR
gain. The birds seem to be perfectly
at home, and feed upon the grass
which grows plentifully upon my place.
| also give them large quantities Of
corn and other grain, and occasionally
try them with n little meat of some
kind, Of which they eat sparlngly, for
the ostrich Is strictly n gramnlvorous
feeder. When first brought them down
they ate little, and concluded I must
give them an appetizer, which | did,
each one, In the shape of good-slzcd
asafoetida pill. Since that time they
have eaten ravenously.
"Ostrlches are like quails, in that
they pair off, and need n run to them
selves, separated from other pairs. At
present mine are all together, as have
not had time to arrange their quarters.
In Africa on the large farms pair
has about forty acres to run In. / shall
give mine only about two acres, which
may be small for them at first, but to
which am sure they will readily adapt
themselves in time. My birds have al
ready begun laying. l have gathered
about six eggs, and the season is just
beginning. Fifty eggs are laid during
the season, one laying season to the
year. The average weight of an ostrich
egg is thirtyfour ounces, some, Of
course, much larger, and it has the ap-
pearance Of ball of ivory. The shell Is
thin and delicate, and smashes easily
II dropped when containing the yelk,
but If the yelk is removed the shell Is
durable as china, and is largely used
among natives as a drinking cup.
"Ancients used them commonly, and
the famous draught of the pearl dis
solved in vinegar is supposed to have
been taken from an ostrich egg. The fe-
male sits on the eggs during the day,
the male at night This seems to be
nature, but most ostrich farmers now
use incubators, especially as the male
bird manifests an unaccountable grudge
against the young one, and kills it If
possible. shall introduce the incubator
when l begin raising birds. Ostrich
eggs sell for $50 apiece, so fifty eggs
year makes a bird very profitable
aside from the plumes which bring in
about 5000 per year. The finest feath-
ers grow under the wings. Those of the
male are usually black, and are the
finest of all; the female plumes are
lighter in color, and permit dyeing. Tail
and breast feathers are also valuable.
The finest feathers produced by the
ostrich are the three plumes used as
head dress by the ladies of the court of
st. James, and those who are present
ed to the Queen. Certain feathers are
in demand for this, the finest on the
bird, and they bring, of course, the
/ highest prices. Jacksonville Citizen.