174 OSTRICH-FARMING IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



for lost birds, and their birds break their legs in badly- 

 erected fences ; they do not provide proper housing 

 for the chicks in bad weather, and consequently lose a 

 lot now and again ; or they do not keep enough men for 

 the work there is to do, and insufficiently pay and feed 

 those tliey have, and consequently never have a good 

 labourer. It is to steer the middle course that we must 

 have experience. 



The man who begins with lavish careless expendi- 

 ture, who is quoted as such an open-handed fellow, and 

 who is only too ready to endorse a friend's bill, will end 

 generally as a mean miser ; whilst the man who is 

 economical, punctual in his payments, not in too great a 

 hurry to lend his purse, and that nothing would induce 

 to sign a promissory note without value received, but 

 who is both just and generous to all about him, will in 

 the long run do far the most to help on his fellow-men. 



Credit for short dates is but too easily obtained, 

 nearly every auction sale being held subject to three 

 months^ credit on a promissory note, subject to an 

 endorser if required. The birds on the " halves " system 

 is also a credit system, but one in which the borrower 

 pays a terribly long interest. The purchase of land is 

 always on credit of payments by instalments extending 

 over to two or three years, but generally subject to two 

 sureties ; or, if not, about a third is generally required 



