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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Advocate, 1920-4-1, Page 377° THE FUTURE OF OSTRICH FARMING, AN EXCLUSIVE BRITISH INDUSTRY Few 'industries were harder hit by s the wax than that of ostrich farming. Gradually the demand tell off; then came the shortage of boats,: uutil. finally the trade was brought to a standstills Fortunately for the South African farmer, he was, generally speaking, long-sighted, says an 4nglisib. .writer. He promptly got rid of his inferior stock, turned. the birds loose on the less profitable grazing ground. and converted the remainder into raising crops which were suddenly in de- mand. 'Many of them devoted con- siderable attention to the rearing of poultry and cattle, and England had butter and. eggs from the South Afri- can ostrich farmer. I do not say alt of them tided over the period of de- pression in. this way, but the great majority of them did. Even when the Armistice was sign- ed those in the feather trade imagined that some time must elapse before the industry would revive. Then all at once, without rhyme or reason, there came a change, and. orders or ost. -rIcla feather a in every conceivable form came pouring ins Fashion had decreed that the plume par excel- lence was the ostrich feather. Hence a boom has set in,. and the ostrich feather fanner has come into his own. The rearing of the ostrich for ita plumes has alwaya been one of the principal industries of South Africa. Indeed, the ostrich may rightly be described as an important Imperial asset, for this valuable trade is ex- tensively in British hands. The farm- ers of Cape Colony control the world's feather market. From their six hun- dred thousand odd birds they export- ed in 1913 --the year before the war - no less than 1023.307 pounds' weight of feathers, for which they received $12,707.935. All countries where this plume is worn now rely upon South Africa for their supplies. Even the United Statee., which. widely boasts of ostrich farms, has to go to the Cape for her feathers, taking about 200,000 pounds' weight of plumes a year. In the whole of the U.S. there are only about 0.00e ostriches. Germany. too, has been ane ot South Africa's •largest customers. In Iola, she took from the Cape 25,000 • pounds' weight of plumes, for which she gave $336,735; while another 108.32T pounds of "undressed" feath- ers, valued at $1,868,055, were sent to her from the London market, which, of course, relies on the Cape • for its supplies. Then it is common know- ledge that Rho has always bought a large numbep from France, who °rig - Melly purchased them in South MO - ca or London. When war began, the German mei% ehants at Hamburg actually told haw -sylpm Britain was defeated, and Germany had obtained a colossal war indemnity -they would go to the cape•and take over the ostrich farms, which they regarded as a very valu- able asset. They tneraselves had arted ostrich farms in German stouth-west Africa and German East Africa, both of which possessions have now been lost. Probably the birds have been destroyed; but they only numbered a few thousand. Hence, in future as in the past, Ger- many will only be able to obtain her feathers from a British. possession, America cannot supply her; and out- ide South Africa there are no farms, except a few in scattered British possessions, such as British East Af- rica, Egypt, the Soudan, Nigeria, and Australia. But the supplies from these are too small to affect the mar- ket. The idea of domesticating ostriches and. rearing them like ordinary cattle first occurred to a Boer farmer in 1863. He took a number a young wild chicks, tamed them, and, to the sur- prise of many, success y them. Others followed his example, fu ll reared By 1882 there were no fewer than. 280,000 birds on the South African farms, the number at the end of 1909 being returned at about 400,000 in Cape Colony alone. To -day this great area of outer Britain boasts of 678,- 254 ostriches, the finest and. the most valuable in the world. The 'birds are rapidly increasing in numbers, for -the industry is au ever-growing one. In five years the output of feathers had doubled. On all the larger farms the eggs are hatched in incubators, the period of incubation being forty days. An os- trich egg weighs three pounds, and when cooked its flavor cannot be de- tected from that of an ordinary hen's egg. cockbird always builds tha nest, which is nothing more than a round. hole dug in the sand or earth. The ken then, lays an egg every other day. From twelve to fifteen make a full nest, The hen sits on. the eggs during the day and the male bird through the night. The ostrich is. most exemplary in cnaracter, and snares the domestic duties with his wife. Once he has chosen a mate nothing will separate him from b.er; and many incidents could be related of prize cock birds refusing to mate a second time atter the loss of their partners. The greatest tact and caution bave to be exercised by the farmer in re- moving the eggs from the nest, as during the breeding season the birds, particularly the male, are very vici- ous, attacking anyone who approaches. One of the marvels of ostrich lite is the rapid growth of the chicks. They literally shoot up at the rate of ten to twelve inches a month for the first five or six months of their career, An extraordinary thing about these birds Is the strange articles they will swallow with apparently no ill ef- fects. Crushed bone and bits of stone are necessary to aid their digestion, but they will snatch brooches and other bright objects from lady visitors and swallow them. Even. cigars and lighted pipes do not come amiss. At the age of eighteen months the male bird is attired in the rich black plumage which is the envy of spec- tators outside the fence, and the joy of the farmer's heart. His body is covered with fluffy, black tips, while his wings are a wealth of long, float- ing, black and white plumes, the glory - to -be of many a picture hat, •His sis- ters are clad in drab feathers, which are never so glossy as those of the cock bird, The 'cheaper ostrich feath- ers are usually those of the female bird. We now come to the most interest- ing period of ostrich farming -the time of plucking. Every eight months the bird to be plucked is enticed. into a small, wedge-shaped enclosure by a tempting basin of corn. or sugar beets. The moment. the trick begins to dawn upon hint he becomes furious. But in an instant the blinding "stocking" is clapped over his head, and he at once becomes as timid and helpless as a child. One, man holds him, while the other removes the feathers. The larger plumee are cut, but the smaller ones are pulled out. The plucking is done with the great- est care and skill', in order that the socket of the feather shall not be in- Jured and so spoil a new growth. Scarcely any pain is caused the bird in extracting the feathers. The So- ciety for the 'Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recognized this fact some years ago, and deemed the ostrich in no need of its protection. - The pieties undergo many process- es, however, before they are ready for the milliner. They are first thor- oughly cleaned fii, soap -suds and then passed to the dyer. After dyeing, they are starched, and then the piecing is clone by skilled hands Very few plumes worn are single; it examined closely it will be seen that they are pieced several times to MR. HANbLEY PAGE ' The aeroplane manufacturer, whose planes have won world-wide recogni- tion and fame, visited Canada receatly. DELEGATES TO THE INDIAN CONGRESS IN LONDON ••••••••10inl...1101.1••••••" Left to right. Mr. H. M. Hyatt, Secretary; Mohammed Ali, MaulanaSayed, Sulaiman Nadivi aua set.. elend Hoseain. render them heavy enough for the milliner's demands. Curling and comb- ing complete the process. One of the latest forms of treat- ment is to glycerine the feathers, producing what is known in the trade as the liseret, a light article which can be readily converted into an at- traettra mount for a hat. Then not only hats, but dresses, are now trim- med with ostrich feathers, and alto - gether they are much in demand. TARTARS MURDER 17,000 ARMENIANS Archbishop Brings Tale of Horror to London. A despatch from London says: - Tartars recently massacred 17,000 Armenians within the boundaries of the new Armenian 'State at the Insti- gation of the Young Turks in tho Azerbijan Government, according to Archbishop Kholn, an Armenian from Erivan, who has arrived in London to confer on behalf of the Armenian Republic with allied authorities re- garding the situation in Arm0nia. Three thousand persons are being herded in Tartar villages, and per - tions of the Armenian frontier are bong held by the Tartars, according to the Archbishop. He says that in December the" Tartars murdered 14,- 000 Armenians at Akoulis, in Azer- bijou, on the pretext that Tartars bad been massacred in Armenian territory. Princess Mary Has Keen Eye For Art • A despatch from London says : - Princess Mary is now making a col- lection of pictures for her own rooms. She shows excellent taste and judg- ment, and is especially fond of those representing children and flowers. Several of her recent purchases have been examples of black and white drawings, and at the same time she has socured several good spect- znens of miniature paintings. The Princess's taste and eye have been most carefully trained, for ever since she was a little girl she has gone about to picture galleries with Queen Mary, who is by way of being an art connoisseur. Canada's Cattle. 4•MMI.••••••!•* _ Weekly Market Report PRINCE HEADS ANCIENT HOSPITAL Assumes Presidency of SU Bartholomew's in London. A despatch from London says: -The Prince of Wales is now president of the oldest hospital in the British Brae PIM, St. Bartholomew's, Smithfield, founded by the King's Tester Rehere in the year 1123. The Prince was installed with the same simple and quaint ceremony that has prevailed for many years at the welcoming of a new president. Entering the grounds he was wel- cowed by the staff, students and many patients. Headed. by the beadle cars rying the mace, a procession wile formed which proceeded to the board- room, where the Prince took his seat nort ern, $2.77;Breesotutes !tine 25c; buckwheat, 604b. tins 18 beneath a fine portrait of Henry VIM -No, 1 Toronto, Mar. 30.-Maniteba wheat to 20c; •corab, 16 -oz., $6.00 to 4,50 Here he heard read the charge, n$o2r.8th0e; r north- doz.; 10 -oz. $4.25 to 54.50 dos. which required him to give earnest No,hrn3e, . . 1. Maple products -Syrup, per impels- attention to matters pertaining to Manitoba oats-No2 C.W., $1 01%; -Ilion, $4.25; per 5 imperial gals. "the weal and advantage of the sick No. 3 C.W., 974e; extra No 1 feed, $4•00- and. suffering within the hospitae," Hays 9714e; No. 1 feed, 96%e; No. 2 feed, Our national stock of cattle to -day is, compared with population, exactly in the state it was twelve years ago. In siariplest form, the number of cat- tle to inhabitants for three typical years was: 1908, 1.12; 1911, .90; 1919, 1.12. That is, the increase in cattle year by year has only kept pace steadily with the growth of domestic popula- tion; it has allowed no margin for more export trade. Yet during those twelve years there has been a tremendous expansion in the overseas markets which might be served by Canada and all means of reaching those markets, transporta- tion, shipping and marketing facili- ties, have been improved. According to the returns of the Do- minion Bureau of Statistics, the num- ber of cattle was 7,546,000 in 1908, when the population. was estimated at 6,650,000. 111.1919, the number, includ- ing milch cows, was 10,088,000, with the estimated population slightly un- der 9,000,000. Record Catch of Fresh Fish By Nova Scotia Trawler IIng been handed an ebony staff with Previsions -Wholesale geld mounts, the PrInce seated him - Manitoba barley -No. 3 C.W. Smokedmeats-Hams, medium, 36 self in the presidential chair, after $1.70%; No. 4 C.W., $1.501A; rejected to 380; dot, heavy, 29 to 30c; cooked, hi h -- $1.37%; feed, $1.37%; all above in 50 to 52c; rolls, 30 to 31c; breakfast, w 0 routine bushaess was transa.ct- store Fort William. bacon, 42 to 47; backs, plat_ 0,‘, ed. Later he made the round of the Ontario wheat-Fso.b. shipping 520; boneless, 52 to 56e. "' `" ", wards and chatted with the patients are still bedridden, ansong whont points, according to freight; No. 1 Cured zneats-Leng clear be4on, 31' who winter, V to $2.01; No. 2 winter $1.98 to 32 ;_ clear bell'es, 30 to 31e. I are a number of soldiers who are still to $2.01; No. 3 winter, 51.92 to '31.93; Lard -Pure, tierces, 20 to 30%c; receiving treatment for the injuries No, 1 spring, $2.02 to $2.02; No. 2 tubs, 304 to 31e; pails, 30%, to 21'4c; they received in the war, spring, 51.98 to $2.01; No. 3 sprotg, Prints, 31% to 32c, Compound tierces • - A despatch from Halifax, N.S., saysi-Pour hundred thousand pounds of fresh fish, said to be the largest catch ever brought to this port by a single vessel, was the cargo of the steam trawler Venosta, which arrived en Thursday' from the Banks. (pt4 ANY i( ibOI 114 /*MS CLASS tkOOM TE LL ME WHAT AN ANECDOTE s . to 52.01. American corn -Prompt shipment. No, 3 yellow, nominal, 51.96; No. 4 yellow, notninal, $1,93, track Toronto. , '.02 'to c, tubs, 29 te 2 he, pai s, 29% to 29%c; prints, 30 to 3014e, British Women Are ontregl Markets Liable for Juries Ontario oats-No3 white, 51 M to $1.04,accenting to tre;ght. Montreal, Mar. 30.-Oats--Cazi- --- Ontario flour -Winter, in jute bags, adieu Western, No. 2, $1,19; No. 3, men are now qualified and liable to A despatch from London. says -Wo. prompt shipment, Government stand- $1,15. Flour -New standard grade, $1L25 to 513.55.Rolled oats-Bags,e summoneth serve on bd juries. Tho oanrcdo,, $10.25 to $10.45, delivered at 90 lbs, $5 50 to 55.60. Bran, 545.25. Home Secretary announces that d Montreal, and $11 elivered at Tor-: Shorts, 562.25. Ray -No. 2, per ton, where the panel of Jurors is drawn. Buckwheat -No. I carchloetess,e_.$3F0..itstot $3e1a.s0t0e,r13, 26 to from the Burgctss List women whose Barley-Maltlng, $1.84 to $1.86. Manitoba flour -Government stand- 65 to 67e; seconds, 62 to 64e. Eggs qualified and liable to serve on Juries. names appear on these lista are now t 2, $1.65 to $1.70. :26Sie. Butter -Choicest oreamery, This affects all women who are on ard, $13.26, Toronto. 1 -Fresh, 68c; se.ected, 54e. Potatoes the Parliamentary Register ixt bor- Peas-No. 2, $3, -Per bag, car lots, $4.30 to $4,40. Rye -No. 2, nominal; No. 3, $1.85 . n The will not be allowed to Lard -Pure, wood pas, 20 lb. net, "g 8. - Y •• -31 to 31%c. Hay -Track, Toronto, No, 1, 527 to $28; znixed, $25. Straw -Oar lots, Live Steck Markets Millfeed-Gar lots, delivered Mont- Toronto, Mar. 30. -Choice ‘ gtvy per ton, $45; shorts, $52; good feed steers, 513.25 to $14.00; good heavy. up until the end of the year, coming real, freights, bags included. Bran, flour, per bag, $3.60 to $3.75. -cattle, choice, $12.50 to $12.75; do., l steers, $12.50 to $12,76; butchers' in force on January. 1, 1921. good, $10.75 to $11.00; do., mediuTrt.' ...,--..4.-. Country Produce -Wholesale I to $8,50; bulls, ehoice, 510.25 to $11.00; $10 00 to 510.60; do., eorirnon, 58 00 Great Britain to Loan ins, 29% to 30%c; triplets, 30% to rough, $7.50 to $8.00; butcher cows,' $25,000,000 to Belgium tw Cheese -New, large, 29 to 30c; do., medium, $9 00 to $9 50; do.,1 31e; Stilton 33 to 34c; old, large, 31 choice, 530,15 to $11.00; do., good, i A despatch from Brussels says: - to 32c; Do. twins, 32 to 32eile. 1$9 00 to 59 50; do., common, $7.00 to The Soir says it arnderstands that Butter -Fresh dairy, choice, 55 to 56c; creamery prints, 67 to 68e. Margarine -33 to 38c. Eggs -New laid, 57 to 58c. Dressed poultry -Spring chickens, 40 to 420; roosters, 25c; for.4, 35c; turkeys, 58 to 60c; ducklings, 38 to 40c; geese, 32 to 35c; squabs, doz. 56.00. Live poultry -Spring chickens, SO to 32c; fowls, 36 to 40c; ducks, 35 to 40c; geese, 26 to 28c. Beans -Canadian, hand-p;ickdd; bushel, $5.50 to $5.75; primes, 54.00 to $4.50; Japans, $5.25 to $5.50; Cal- ifornia Limas, 16e4 to 175.4c; Mada- gascar Limas, Ib., 15c; Japan Limas, good, $17.00 to 518.00; common, Ib., 11.e. $15.00 to $17.00; hogs, off -car weights Honey -Extracted, clover, 5-1b. tins selects, $20,50; lights, $19,50 to $20.- 27 to 28c; 10 -Ib. tins, 25 to 26c; 60 -ib. 50; sows, $10.50. vote on their qualification until the middle of April. In all other Parliamentary constitu- encies the jury lists will not be made 41•••••••••••,10.0 $7.60; stockers, 58.50 to 510.50; negotiations are under way in Eng - feeders. $10.00 to $13 00; canners and cutters, $5.25 to 56.00; m'lkers, good land for a loan of five million pounds to ehaice, $100.00 to $160 00; do., earn. sterling, the money to be used for and med., $65.00 to $7:5 00; springers, the reconstruction of the devastated $90.00 to $160,00; lambs, per e et. I slistr*.ets of Belgium. $18.00 to $21.00; 'calves, good to choice , $19.75; do., weighed off cars 519.50 to -.Harve:-.t a Failure 00; hogs, fed and watered, $19.25 to; i Seal . $18.00 to $22.50; sheep, $7.00 to $15.- $20.00; do., foib. $18.25 to $18.75;1 A despatch frem St Johns, Nfld., do., do., country points 518.26 to says: -Very poor news has aeon re- $18452n.treal, Mar. 30.. -Good veal,' ceived from the sealing fleet. All $15.00 to $16.00; medium, $10.00 to the ships are clean, there are no $14,00; Ewes, $12.00 to 13.00; lambs, indications of a paying voyage and the outlook is the wcrst for years. --;.--_-. Make Me Worthy. BRITAIN TO FIGHT TUBERCULOSIS Health Ministry to Administer Relief to All Persons Affected. A despatch from London. says: - With civilian mortality from tuber- culosis at 1,624 for every 1,000,000 in- habitants: in Great Britain, the Minis- try of Health, recently established, has decided to deal drastically with the situation. Indeed, the patchwork methods in vogue under the national health insurance scheme, will be scrapped. Uader this scheme the money available only permittea treat- ment itt a sanatorium for two or three months in selected tuberculosis cases, while other cases of the white plague had to be content with a milk treatment in their own homes. The insurance scheme was limited to workers and did not apply to women or children. In the new industrial scheme it is intended to make provision for the whole British industrial world, includ- ing wives and children. Relief will be administered through county, munici- pal and local authorities, while the Treasury will proyide $5,000,000 for the creation of settlements wh.ere tuberculosia patients may be treated. According to the plan. there will be "RECLAR7fELLERS".--By Gene Byrnes nine settlements, each of 200 cottages, where persons suffering from tuber- culosis may reside and receive treat- ment. In so far as may be possible patients will be expected to work at useful occupations. A similar scheme for the treatment of discharged soldiers will be estab- lished by the military authorities in the near future. German Ship Carries Arms For Ireland A despatch from London says: - The British Government issued larders on Thursday that all ships plying between Germany and the United Kingdom be thoroughly searched, us a result of the discovery of arms destined for Ireland in a vessel from a German port. The Government _ seized a vessel which arrived at Grangemouth, Scotland, laden with light artillery, rifles and ammunition, all of Ger- man make. The ultimate destina- tion of the consignment is said to have been Dublin. The ship's master has been taken into custody. The captain of a e'.ster ship, also at Grangemouth, was arrested at Lon- don. Other vessels are alleged to be involved in the plot. Buy Thrift Stamps. 1E5 *TEACVIER 1 tk1+3 IT'S A SNORT F ut4N1 *TALE tsl 0 CN •.'OO 4,NE. ME A 5ES-1-TEA-SCE sel ti THE 1/4/40Q ANECOO-T tt.,i It is my soul to find At every turning of the road The strong arms of a comrade kind To help me onward with my load; And, since I have no gold to give, And. love alone must make ameads, My oply prayer is, while I live - God make me iverthy of my friends. I - HERR SCHIFFER The German Imperial Minister • of Justice, who has just stated in an in- terview that those who comm3ted war crimes will be tried by him at Leipsig, .91MNIO111•11110, •