2o6 HOME LIFE ON AN OSTRICH FARM. 



Angora goats are now more profitable than ostriches ; 

 although the hair, like feathers, has sadly decreased in 

 value, the price having fallen from 4s. 6d. to 9d. per lb. 

 It seems strange that Angora hair should remain at 

 such a low price ; for a costly plush is now made from 

 it, besides very beautiful rugs, many of them perfect 

 imitations of leopard, tiger, and seal-skin — the latter 

 hardly less expensive than real seal. 



The morning on which a goat or sheep is killed — 

 especially during very hot weather — ushers in a time 

 of care and anxiety for the frugal housewife. From 

 the moment when the animal expires under the black 

 herd's hands, until the last joint has been brought to 

 table, that meat is an incubus which sits heavy on her 

 soul all day, and occasionally even haunts her dreams 

 at night. She has to wage persistent war against 

 adverse agencies, always in readiness to work its de- 

 struction, and, with all her vigilance, too often success- 

 fully robbing her of a good portion of it. 



First and foremost of all enemies the flies are in the 

 field. As soon as the dead goat or sheep is hung up 

 out of doors, in as cool and shady a place as can be 

 found — though this is by no means saying much — it 

 must instantly be enclosed in a capacious, tightly-tied 

 and carefully-mended bag of mosquito-net, large enough 

 to cover the whole animal. For all around, buzzing 

 excitedly, and eagerly looking out for an opening, how- 

 ever small, through which to squeeze in and do their 

 deadly work, are crowds of big, noisy, determined 

 blue-bottles — though, by the way, if I may be allowed 



