40 OSTRICH-FARMING IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



sidered as safe for birds as any other fence, I liave 

 known it, when built with stone from an igneous for- 

 mation, to be the cause of many birds injuring themselves 

 by kicking against the sharp points when fighting with 

 each other on opposite sides of a wall, and I have also 

 known serious losses to occur where birds have stam- 

 peded at night, and have run with great force against it, 

 many killing themselves. 



For fencing in lands and gardens it beats anything^ 

 as it keeps out porcupines and hares, which are often 

 so destructive, especially in the sweet veldt. 



For little short leno^ths of fencinor where bush is 

 not procurable, old tire-irons off the hind-wheels of 

 wagons, wdien straightened and bolted on to sneezewood 

 posts, make a very strong and durable fence. These 

 can be bought from the wagon-makers for 5s. each, 

 ready bored for three bolts ; but the fence becomes too 

 expensive except in special cases. And the same thing 

 applies to imported fences of bar-iron and standards, 

 which come very expensive if high enough for Ostriches. 



Live fences have been very little used in the colony. 

 The easiest grown are the American aloe and the 

 prickly pear, but the former is liable to be destroyed 

 by moles whilst the plants are young, and the latter 

 is a nuisance to the birds when the fruit is ripe. Pome- 

 granate, quince, and other things are often used ■where 



