Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-03

that the Beers have proved can be do
mesticated. The major would not discuss
the methods by which their capture would
be effected, but here is what he said about
his plans:
THE first members of the expedition
expect to be leaving early this month,
and then, when that is well under way,
Harris Hammond. john Blick. my broth
er-in-law, who is experienced traveller
and explorer. and myself will join the
first party in British East Africa. We
shall carry on exploration through vari-
Gus parts of Africa.
"One object in delaying our departure
is the fact that Congressman Broussard
of Louisiana expects to Introduce in the
extra session of Congress- which is now
regarded inevitable. bill asking for
an appropriation to be expended under
the Department of Agriculture for the
very purpose of importing and domesti-
eating certain foreign animals that mi 2ht
be utilized in the arid lands of the west
and in the great swamp areas of the gulf
states Mr.. Broussard has made a care
full study of this matter. and certain Off
Gals of the Agricultural Department in
Guiding Prof. Irwin have been lending all
the assistance possible.
The main object of the expedition is
to acquire or capture certain animals and
bring them back to be placed on lands
which We already hold in California and
Louisiana. John Hays Hammond and
several associates and friends are inter-
eSted in this project. because they are ia
miliar with all conditions in Africa.
What Beers Have Done.
1T is a fact that the Beers have domes-
ticated several of the more useful varie
ties of antelope that are native to South
Africa. and. as everybody who knows
that country is aware, they are making
| mestication of the ostrich. The ostrich
has been successfully introduced in.o the
United States, and the ostrich was Ger
tainly one CT the mos. difficult wild birds
to handle that was ever on earth. In
fact, there is no historical record that
the ostrich had ever been tanned until
the African Boer showed the world that
it could be done
The Boer has wonderful ability for
that s,crt of work and there is no reason
why Americans should not prove as
smart as they and adapt African animals
to our country. The Beers use the ante
lope they domesticate for food and their
hides for leather. The sprinsbok. the
steinbok and several ether varieties have
given good results. Their is really no
reason why cames should not have been
introduced into this country, as thev have
in Australia. where also the wild buffalo
has been dOmeSticated. In the domeSti-
'cation CT wild animals the Australians
have beaten US. We have confined our
selves to the three or four species of do
mestic animals brought over mere by the
Spanards and been content with those.
One branch of our expedition viii
work in RhoGesia. The members of II
have been carefully selected and we shall
get only animals that are perfect of
their kind and free from any possible
contaeion. We shall put them on our
lands in California and Louisiana and
start herds, and if breeding proves sue
cessful we shall supply them in small
numbers to those who wish them. We
shall follow the lines of the importation
of the ostrich into this country, which
was carried out entirely by one man.
George Cawston of California who for
years had to face public ricicuie and who
was referred to generally as that crank
Cawston, and who was caricatured as
ding on the back of an ostrich. But
since Cawston's bank account has swollen