208 OSTRICH- FARMING IN SOUTH AFRICA. 



The importing of pure stock and raising thorough- 

 bred cattle is essentially a rich man's business, as he 

 can afford to lose several imported animals if he can 

 eventually attain his end, whilst the not getting an 

 immediate return for his investment is of no importance 

 to him; but not so with the poorer man, who, if he 

 loses an imported bull, probably cannot afford to replace 

 him, and he loses nearly all the advantage he would have 

 got if he could have afforded to keep on ; whilst even if 

 he is lucky the return is too distant to suit him, and 

 the risks are very great. These remarks apply equally 

 to Ostriches and other stock. The new beginner, whilst 

 avoiding inferior birds, should not be led into giving 

 fancy prices for what are said to be extraordinarily 

 superior birds. 



