OSTRICH FARMING.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9440, 10 May 1909, Page 2

OSTRICH FARMING.

A PROMISING INDUSTRY. In an article on ostrich farming printed Jn the Journal of Agriculture. West Australia, by H. Nathan, veterinary surgeon of Geraldton, occurs the following note concerning New Zealand tions:—“About 22 years ago Messrs Li. V. Nathan & 00., of Whitford Park, Auckland, New Zeaalud, imported some 35 birds into that country. Now they are able to boast of one of the largest farms in the world and containing ) fully 2000 birds. _ They have also established factories for the manufacture of feather trimmings, dyad feathers, dusters, boas and fans. The consumption of ostrich feathers is so great that even now the wants of the home market in New Zealand cannot be half supplied and there is still a large import trade in that About 30 pairs of breeding birds are here kept, each pair being accommodated with a fenced*paddook of about one acre, with a small ti-tree shelter shed in which to nest. This la required in a wet country like New Zealand The male Mid sits about 14 hours daily and the hen bird does duty/ for the remaining 10. They have not yet come under union rules, although New Zealand is a Labour country. The eggs take six weeks to hatch. Owing to the luxurious growth of vegetation in New Zealand cattle are kept to oat down the feed, as the birds which thrive here on natural grasses and lucerne, prefer short feed. The industry has now become so great that from so small a beginning a limited liability company has been formed, with a very large capital, and is already paying remunerative dividends.”