Evening star., 1896-03-28
MONEY IN OsTRICHEs.
An Experiment to be Made in Florida
to Raise These Birds.

An Experiment to He Made in Florida
to Raise These Birds.
From the Jacksonville Citizen
1t occurred to me many years ago." said
Mr. H. j. Tiff1n, that if ostrich farming
could be successfully carried on in Cali
lorna, the same might be done here espe-
claily II 1t were simply q question of eli
matte adaptablity, for the climate Of east
Florida is more similar to that of South
Africa, the habitat of the bird, than is
that of California. I have closely watched
the progress of these latter farms, becom-
ing more interested yearly, so that last
fall, when, in Atlanta, had an opportunity
to purchase some ostriches i secured two.
male and female. and brought them to my
!hdlan river place on Merritt Island which
IS about latitude IS. These birds did SO
Well, seeming SO perfectly at home AMI
wen adapted to the conditions, that went
PACK to Atlanta and bought the lot, fifteen
III all, some Of them very large and val
uable, and l now have them all at home
MOST or them We're raised on Los Angeles
iarm' but a few are native African birds
Inc value CT an ostrich in South Africa
~ ABOUT S5oO. l bought mine for little more
than sloo apiece, SO that l may be said to
nave made quite a bargain. The birds
seem to be perfectly at home, and feed
upon the grass which grows plentifully
upon my place. I also give them large
quantities Of corn and other grain, and oc-
caslonally try them with a little meat Of
some Kind. of which they eat sparingly, for
me oSlrlch IS strictly gramEivorous feed
er. When l first brought them down they
ate little. and l concluded l must give them
an appetizer. which did, each one in the
shape OF good-sized asafoetida pill Since
tnaI tlme they have eaten ravenously.
Ostrlches are like quails, in that they
Ps1r OH, and need a run to themselves sep
arated from other pairs. At present min.
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 ct
Hfs1. put to which l am sure they will
ieaul'y aoapt themselves in time. Ny birds
nave already begun laying. l have gather
ec about six eggs. and the season is lust
beginning. Fifty eggs are laid during the
season. one laying season to the year The
aveIage an weight OF an ostrich egg is thirty
1ouf ounces. some, cf course. much larger,
ana II mas the appearance Of a ball of
ivory: The shell is thin and delicate, and
s,nashes easily If dropped when containing
shell is as durable as china, and is largely
USED among natives a drinking cup.
Ahclents used them commonly, and the
lemous draught of the Pearl dissolved in
vinegar Is supposed to have been taken
from an ostrich egg. The female sits ON
IN. ane egg curing the day, the male at night
inns seems to be nature. but most ostrich
farmers now use incubators, especially as
the male bird manifestS an unaccountabl
grudge against the young one, and kills it
II possible. l shall introduce the incubator
When l begin raising birds. Ostrich eggs
sen Tor go apiece, SO fifty eggs year
makes a bird very profitable aside from the
plumes, which bring in about $500 per year.
IN he finest feathers grow under the wings.
Ihose OF the male are usually black, ana
are are the finest of all: the female plun1es are
hshter IN color and permit dyeing. Tail
ana breast feathers are also valuable. The
~ ~ est 1eathers produced by the ostrich are
the three plumcs used as a head dress Inv.
the ladies of the court Of ST. James ami
those who are presented to the queen. Ger
tsln feathers ere in demand for this. the
course, the highest prices. "a