In 1840 a number of Angora goats were imported from Angora 

 in Asia and were crossed with the native "blinkhaar" goat of the 

 country and this cross was ennobled by the importation of a few 

 purebreds and improved by selection. The Industry developed 

 rapidly and very soon the Angora flocks of the great Karroo plains 

 were the finest and largest in the world. 



Twenty years later, in the early sixties, Ostrich farming was 

 taken up seriously. A few years ago some of the wild birds were 

 tamed and by intelligent selection, mating and good management, 

 the South African bird very soon reached a high standard of breed- 

 ing and a very profitable industry was opened up. "Within twenty 

 years from its establishment it -has captured the world's market.'' 



In both these farming industries the Union is far ahead of any 

 other country, and although they stand on airy stilts that may at 

 any time be overthrown by the caprices of the fashion makers they 

 have brought a large amount of wealth in the land and have had a 

 good influence on farming and agricultural matters in general. 

 Should they at any time collapse, the gap will and can be easily 

 filled up ; for the pastures now occupied by the large flocks of An- 

 goras are as good for the Merino and the Cape horse and those 

 localities given up to the Ostrich are the richest lands in the whole 

 Union and can be put to as good advantage. 



This is in short the history of those farming industries which 

 in their rapid growth helped to push horse breeding in the back- 

 ground and even caused its neglect and decline. It is quite clear 

 that they have more than made up for the losses suffered in the trade 

 with India in remounts ; but it is difficult to see why the other 

 branches of Agriculture should be neglected, they might have been 

 reduced, but their neglect was certainly not the best policy and 

 neither the Government nor some of the best farmers have taken 

 this view and there is yet hope for the reestablishment of the Cape 

 Horse. In that great land, with its wonderful pastures, glorious 

 climate, liberal and enterprising Government, with an Agricultural 

 Department, Agricultural Schools and Experiment Stations fully 

 equipped by efficient men there is no reason why all the different 

 agricultural pursuits of the people cannot flourish side by side. 

 This is all the more possible since the union of the four states and 



(91) Bluetoolcs and Census Beturns. 1840 etc. Cape Town and London. 



(92) Br Cecil Bergh, Ziir Oeconomische EntwichTcelung der Straussemucht in 



SudafriTca. Leipzig 1914. 



49 



