The herald., 1896-05-31
MONEY IN OSTRICHES
An Experiment to Be Made in Florida to
Raise These Br:s


ut occurred to me many years ago.,
said Mr. H. T. Tiffin, that If ostrich
farming could be successfully carried
on in California. the same might be done
here, especially if it were simply ques-
tion of climatic adaptablity, for the eli
mate 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 interested
yearly, so that, last fall. when in At
lanta, l had an opportunity to purchase
some ostriches. l secured two. male and
female, and brought them to my Indian
river place on Merritt island, which is
about latitude 2S. These birds did so
well, seeming so perfectly at home and
well adapted to the conditions, that
went back to Atlanta and bought the
lot. fifteen in all, some of them very
large and valua BILE, and now have them
all at home. Most of them were raise1
on Los Angeles farm, but a few are
native African birds
The value of an ostrich in South
Africa is about $500. 1 bought mine for
little more than 500 apiece. so that
may be said to have made quite bar
gain. The birds seem to be perfectly at
home, and feed upon the grass which
grows plentifully on my place. l also
give them large quantities of corn and
other grain and occasionally try them
with little meat of some kind. of which
they eat sparingly, for the ostrich is a
strictly gramnVorous feeder. When
l first brought them down they ate lit
tie, and / concluded must give them
an appetizer, which l did. each one. in
the shape of good-sized asa afoetda pill.
Since that time they have eaten raven
ousy.
"Ostriches are like quails, in that they
par OIL and need run to themselves
separated from other pairs. At present
mine are all together. as | have not had
time to arrange their quarters. In Af-
rica 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 a first but to which I
AM sure they will readily adapt them
selves in time. My birds have already
begun laying. / have gatherd about
six eggs and the season Is Just begin
ming. Fifty eggs are laid during the sea-
son, one laying season to the year. The
average weight of an ostrich egg is
thirty flour ounces. some. of course,
much larger. and it has the appearance
of a ball of ivory. The shell is thin and
delicate and smashes easily if dropped
wher containing the yolk. but If the
yolk is removed the shell is as durable
as china and is largely used among ma
tives as 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
female sits on the egg during the day.
the male at night. This seems to be ma
ture. but most ostrich farmers now use
incubators, especially as the male bird
manlfests an unaccountable grudge
against the young one and kills it II
possible l shall introduce the incu-
bator when begin raising birds. Os-
trich eggs sell for 500 apiece, so fifty
eggs year makes bird very profitable
aside from the plumes, which will bring
In about 5000 per year. The finest fea-
thers 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 Of dyeing.
Tail and breast feathers are also valu-
able. The finest feathers produced by
the ostrich are the three plumes used
as a head dress by the ladies of the
court of st. James, and those who are
presented to the queen. Certain feath
| ers are in demand for this, the finest on
the bird, and they bring, of course, the
highest prices. s."-Jacksonville Citizen.
The Late Colonel North's Hos sDftaT1tv