The Frankfort roundabout. [volume] (Frankfort, Ky.) 1882-1908, 1899-05-27

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all graded according to the size OF the
feathers. They are then shipped to
the feather dressers. BY them they
are tied on strings about four f ct
long; singly or in punches Of two or
three, according to their size. Then
they are scOur, d, cleaned in .Oap
sudS and rinstd frequently when
they are ready for the dyer.
The naturally black ostrich feather
is dyed black. This Is not only on
account of its color, but also because
of its character. rs it has a fine silk =
like down. This Is the much prized
glossy black Oftheconmercial feather.
After dyeing and more rinsing in
water they are beaten on board To
free them from all particles OF starch.
After being Finished" they go to
the sewing room, for single feathers
are not used. Each feather now used
in the trade consists of several feath-
ers skillfully sewn together. After
being sewed they are then steamed
and curled and are then ready for the
milliner.
In Africa the ostrich farms are
very large, covering many thousands
of acres, and this results in the loss of
many birds through accidents. There
are five ostrich farms in the United
States-two in California, one in Ari-
iona, one in Texas and one i'm Florida.
There are probably about 800 Os-
triches on this entire continent. In
this country they are all kept in
small Enclosures, so there is less loss
and they are m1re easily handled.
CURIOUS CREATURE.
The bird itself is an interesting
study. 1t is fierce and warlike under
many conditions and always most
disagreeable to have anything to do
with. When an enemy approaches
the bird draws himself to his full
heighth and stands on tiptOe.
Stretching his long neck forward, he
raises his curious twO-tOed foot and
kicks forward. Men on horseback
are their pet aversion, and they have
"a decided objection to negroes. In
Africa the savage ostrich is fought
with "tacky," which is simply
branch of thorny bush, the mimosa,
and this is waved in the birds face
until the man can step aside and get
out of the way. The voice of the
ostrich is a great contrast to its APP
pearance, for it is like the roar of a
lion and it is said that lion hunters in
Africa are often misled by the sound.
When an ostrich dies his feathers
are plucked and the thighs are eaten.
The meat is stringy and usually
tough, though some profess to he
very fond Of it. The eggs weigh
about three pounds and taste about
the same as hens eggs. 1t takes
about an hour to boil one hard. The
weight of one is equal to that of
thirty hens eggs.
Ostrich farming in the United
States can hardly be said to be
great industry as yet, or in fact quite
beyond the experimental stage, but
there is considerable capital invested
in it, and those who are in the bus
mess seem hopeful of large returns
for the money and time they have
expended in learning the business.
The market is somewhat precariOus
for the feathers, as fashions change.
There is not nearly so much profit i'm
the feathers now as there was few
years ago, but prices are considered
very good, and there seems to be no
fear that their use will ever entirely
cease, owing to the fact that these
feathers make the best and hand
soonest plumes for any kind of head
gear decoration.