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seasons. With suitable country, ostriches pay very well, 
better than either sheep or cattle; and each full-grown and 
well-feathered bird may be expected to return from £?, to £5 
per annum, according as the price of feathers may rule in the 
London market. It must, however, always be remembered 
that there is not an unlimited demand for feathers, as they 
are more or less of a luxury, and worn only by those who are 
fairly well off. Ostrich farming in South Africa met with a 
great rebuff in 1882, when failure was universal. It was the 
old story of a “ Boom and a burst up.” Birds had been 
selling at ^250 the pair; when the depression came they fell 
to £11 to £i\, while three months’ old chicks could be bought 
at from 3s. 6d. to 5s. each. Some birds were sent to Kallara 
Station, on the River Darling, some years ago, and were 
located on a suitable spot a few miles back from the river, 
which was watered by an artesian bore; but though the old 
birds throve, no young ones could be reared, as the water 
proved fatal to them. They were not tried at any other 
place.” 
vuy 
WV\ 
